HAPPY SPRING!
by BRITISH AMERICAN INSTITUTE
The energy and enthusiasm of our students has been in full swing this term! With springtime just around the corner, classrooms have been buzzing with hard work and exciting activities. Students have been working hard to improve on the basics we learned in term one while diving deeper into their studies. Our Cambridge preparation groups are busy with exam training and two mock tests to help them build confidence and skills. Meanwhile, our junior groups have been busy with creative projects, interactive learning, and holiday celebrations. It’s been a time of both dedication to our learning and enjoyment of the process, setting us up for a productive and inspiring final term ahead!
It’s that time of year again…
Preparing for the Cambridge Exams
Many of our students this year are preparing for the Cambridge English exams levels B2 and C1. We’ve even had a few people prepare for the C2 exam, the highest certification available. This certificate can open many doors for people regarding university courses, study abroad programmes and career opportunities. There’s also a great sense of achievement in passing the exam, having something to show for all the hard work and dedication that goes into learning a language.
If you’re still unsure about whether or not you want to do the exam, hopefully this will help you make up your mind!
Some useful tips for preparing for the Cambridge exams:
Always try to practice as much as you can outside of the classroom! Not only do you need to know the basics of grammar and have a good range of vocabulary, having good reading and listening skills is also very important. Try finding something you’re interested in, like a good podcast or series and reading texts you’re not going to get bored of easily.
Find someone to speak with in English. You’ll need them to practice for the speaking part of the exam, but also this will help boost your confidence and your overall level. Don’t be shy, show off what you know!
Don’t give up! It can be hard to prepare for a language exam but motivation is key.
Cambridge English
FIRST
Passing the Cambridge B2 First exam demonstrates that learners have the language skills needed to live and work independently in English-speaking countries or follow courses taught in English.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH
ADVANCED
This high-level qualification represents real fluency in communication. It equips individuals to follow academic courses at university level or participate confidently in professional environments.
The exam tests five key skills across four papers:
Paper 1: Reading:
This tests both comprehension and deduction skills, as well as being able to figure out vocabulary, sometimes unknown, through context.
Paper 1: Use of English:
This tests knowledge of the rules of English grammar and vocabulary, and the ability to apply these to a variety of text types.
Paper 2: Writing:
As well as grammar and vocabulary, this assesses various aspects of written production, including style, register, effect on the reader, organisation, and coherence.
Paper 3: Listening:
This checks the ability to understand not only the main ideas in a spoken interaction, but the intentions of various speakers through tone, argument and decision.
Paper 4: Speaking:
This tests real-time ability to communicate using grammar and vocabulary, fluency of expression, and clear pronunciation. It also assesses interactive conversation skills.
STORY WRITTING COMPETITION
This term, we thought it would be a fun activity to hold a story writing competition among the Junior groups to give them a chance to put what they’ve learned into practice while also letting them show their imaginative sides.
We were amazed by the stories we received! They were all interesting and funny, and it was great to see them putting the extra effort to get involved. However, there could only be one winner: Judith from Junior B! Her story was so unique, including pictures and even an invented puzzle.
Congratulations, Judith!
The Mystery of the Treasure Chamber
Jake and Fiona were walking their dog on the beach when they saw something in the sand. They found a treasure map. They thought the treasure. Jack and Fiona were going to the boat port and stole a yacht. His dog, Tom Cruise, was not very happy. He didn’t like the ocean.
They went to the treasure island. They arrived at their destination and their go to the cave. They found the treasure chamber. They had a problem. The treasure chamber their have out the password. The problem is they didn’t know the password. In the wall has a instructions:
1.Find the clues
2.Resolve the clues
3.Put the password
4.Discover the treasure
While they were speaking, Tom Cruise found the clues. The clues were on the wall, the clues were: 2 riddles and assemble a puzzle. The first puzzle was: I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I? The second riddle was: If you knock on the down, I’m everything. If you cut me at the waist, I’m left with nothing. What am I? The third clue was assemble a puzzle. The puzzle a four cute kitties.
Then, they discovered, some holes in the wall. On the ground there was a box. In the box was pieces with numbers and letters of alfabet. Next, they resolved the clues and put the pieces in the correct order in the holes. Finally, on the wall appeared the numbers of the treasure chamber.
The treasure it’s not jewelry or money, it was a cat!! Their dog was a friend the cat. Their were adopted the cat. After the years discovered the cat is an alien but this is another story.
ACTIVITIES FROM TERM TWO
Here are just some of the activities our students have been doing in class this term. As always, we want them to be learning but having fun doing it. On top of the projects, the Junior groups have also done crafts and interactive games. With Colm, Junior A and B learned about the Salmon of Knowledge, a popular Irish legend. We’ve even celebrated different festivals, such as Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Father’s Day. We hope you enjoy looking at these pictures as much as we enjoyed doing it all!
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Patrick was brought to Ireland at 16 from Britain after being kidnapped by Irish pirates. There are many stories about St. Patrick, such as him using the shamrock as a priest, which has become one of the most emblematic symbols of Ireland, and driving all snakes out of the country. Now, March 17th is celebrated around the world with parades, events and even turning rivers and monuments green!
