b2 tips

Natalia López Zamarvide CIFE Juan de Lanuza

GETTING READY FOR B2

http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/ [email protected]

Natalia López Zamarvide, CIFE Juan de Lanuza (Zaragoza)

http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/

mailto:[email protected]


Methodology

• Real materials (mostly) • Free resources • Writing down, recording • Making the most of time


1. What’s my level of English? 2. Structure of exams, samples 3. Reading 4. Listening 5. Writing 6. Speaking 7. Vocabulary / grammar


IMMERSION


Use English in everyday life

•Mobile phone settings/ computer… •Watch TV shows / films in English •look for recipes •Any internet search •Wikipedia •youtube tutorials / how to •follow British or American institutions, media,

celebrities…on Twitter

Natalia López Zamarvide CIFE Juan de Lanuza 9

Online courses

» https://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2015/12/23/aprendizaje-de-idiomas-online/

https://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2015/12/23/aprendizaje-de-idiomas-online/


» https://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2013/10/03/examenes-nivel-b1-y-b2-ingles-validos-en-aragon-fechas-modelos-de-examen/

https://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2013/10/03/examenes-nivel-b1-y-b2-ingles-validos-en-aragon-fechas-modelos-de-examen/

1. MY LEVEL OF ENGLISH



1. Level of Englishhttp://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/cual-es-mi-nivel-en-un-idioma/

• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) • DIALANG / DIALANG web

• Instituto Nacional de Evaluación Educativa (INEE) -preguntas de comprensión (desde A1 a B2)

http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/cual-es-mi-nivel-en-un-idioma/

http://www.oapee.es/oapee/inicio/iniciativas/portfolio/niveles-de-competencia.html

http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/researchenterprise/dialang/about

https://dialangweb.lancaster.ac.uk/

http://educalab.es/inee/evaluaciones-internacionales/eecl/preguntas-liberadaseecl/preguntas


Other tests

• https://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/duolingo-test-center-cual-es-mi-nivel-de-ingles/

• http://www.britishcouncil.org/aptis/preparation-material (Aptis, British Council certificate)

http://www.britishcouncil.org/aptis/preparation-material

http://www.britishcouncil.org/aptis/preparation-material


2. STRUCTURE OF THE TESTS


•be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation.

•They can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.

•They can produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.


PAPER TOTAL MARKS

PASS MARK

reading comprehension 20 10

listening comprehension 20 10

written expression / interaction (writing)

20 10

oral expression / interaction (speaking)

20 10

EOI


SPEAKING25 %

LISTENING25 %

WRITING25 %

READING25 %


RESULT


EEOOII- official documents

» information for candidates (2015)» ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

http://www.educaragon.org/files/Documento%20informativo%20candidatos%202015.doc

http://www.educaragon.org/arboles/arbol.asp?sepRuta=Sistema+Educativo%2F%3Ca+href%3D%27%2Feducacion%5Fno%5Funi%2Easp%27%3EEnse%F1anza+no+Universitaria%3C%2Fa%3E%2F&guiaeducativa=&strSeccion=PPI02&titpadre=R%E9gimen+especial&arrpadres=$Ense%F1anzas+de+Idiomas&arrides=$113&arridesvin=$&lngArbol=1695&lngArbolvinculado=

sample tests / past papers

» past papers (1)(Aragón) » past papers (2)(Aragón) » compilation of sample tests and past tests (whole of

Spain)

http://www.educaragon.org/files/Ingles%20avanzado%202010.zip

http://www.educaragon.org/files/INGLES_%20AVANZADO_JUNIO_2009_COMPLETO.zip

http://hrhgabrielatorrens.blogspot.com.es/2012/11/eoi-compilation-of-sample-exams.html?spref=fb


FCE (First Certificate in English)

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/first/exam-format/

further training resources for FCE

»http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/cambridge-english-first-handbook-2015.pdf »http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/first/

preparation/ »http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/

activities-for-learners/?rows=12 (actividades todas destrezas, todos niveles) »http://www.examenglish.com/FCE/index.php »http://www.flo-joe.com/fce/students/index.htm

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/cambridge-english-first-handbook-2015.pdf

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/first/preparation/

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/activities-for-learners/?rows=12

http://www.examenglish.com/FCE/index.php

http://www.flo-joe.com/fce/students/index.htm


ACLES B2

» CULM Unizar, CUID UNED… » MOOC- Cómo preparar un examen B1 inglés » Descripción examen UNED » Modelo de examen inglés B2: sin soluciones; con soluciones..

https://canal.uned.es/serial/index/id/4135

http://portal.uned.es/portal/page?_pageid=93,1049935&_dad=portal

https://contenido.uned.es/cuid/otros_servicios/prueba_libre/Modelo_Ingles_B2.pdf

https://contenido.uned.es/cuid/otros_servicios/prueba_libre/Modelo_Ingles_B2_sol.pdf


ISE II (TRINITY )

http://www.trinitycollege.com/site/?id=3195

3. READING COMPREHENSION



• Reading: – To understand – get information – To improve writing / speaking – For fun

• making notes, underlining, highlighting>>>> incorporating expressions into your vocabulary

• Types of texts: – news – literary – pedagogical


• Highlight/ underline / circle the fragment where the answer may be found

• Be sure you really understand • all 4 options: only one of them is the best. • the question (beware of negatives, opposites…)


news

• http://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html • http://www.guardian.co.uk/ • http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/

• http://www.newsenglishlessons.com/ (B1) • http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/ (B1)

http://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/

http://www.newsenglishlessons.com/

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/


Pedagogical texts

• http://www.gcflearnfree.org/reading/readingcomprehension • http://www.eslfast.com/ • http://www.5minuteenglish.com/reading.htm • http://www.world-english.org/english_reading.htm

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/reading/readingcomprehension

http://www.eslfast.com/

http://www.5minuteenglish.com/reading.htm

http://www.world-english.org/english_reading.htm


Literary texts

• http://www.world-english.org/stories.htm (Classic short stories) • Roald Dahl: Lamb to the Slaughter / The Landlady

http://www.world-english.org/stories.htm

http://www.depa.univ-paris8.fr/IMG/pdf/lamb_to_the_slaughter_by_roald_dahl-2.pdf

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/landlady_text.pdf

4. LISTENING COMPREHENSION



ISE II (Trinity)

» http://easyise.com/

http://easyise.com/


tips

» read the questions before the first listen (you’ll be given time)

» don’t try to understand every single word- just the information you really need.

» careful with multiple choice questions (slight differences) » beware if the answer contains the exact same word you

heard


Podcasts

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts

• http://learningenglish.voanews.com/podcast/0.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/podcast/0.html

BBC PODCASTSver http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2014/02/04/bbc-podcasts/

– The Listening Project (natural, spontaneous speech, different accents)

– From Our Own Correspondent (B2-C1, good for vocabulary)

– Woman’s Hour


http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2014/02/04/bbc-podcasts/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/the-listening-project

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qjlq

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb


BRAIN OF BRITAIN (QUIZ)

sample questions

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nrw21/episodes/downloads

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/coffeebreak/article-2028137/Ask-YOUR-family-Think-youre-brain-Britain-Try-fiendish-questions-compiled-tribute-quizmaster-Robert-Robinson.html


other podcasts

» Vaughan radio

http://www.ivoox.com/escuchar-vaughan_nq_255_1.html


Digital radio

• Phone-ins • News bulletins



What BBC radio have taught me…

» Passions run high » As luck would have it, » Fuel poverty » the Antarctic expedition had to eat seals and let

their dogs die to survive. Needs must. » squeaky-clean (politicians, reputation…) » She’s singing her heart out


News

• http://www.cnn.es/studentnews/ (transcribed and subtitled)

• http://www.bbc.com/news/video_and_audio/international • http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/ (BBC news for children / teenagers- easier to

understand) • http://www.newsinlevels.com/ (Euronews,transcription) • http://www.englishblog.com/ (words that appear on the media, updated almost daily) • http://www.reuters.com/news/video/reuters-tv (transcription)

http://www.cnn.es/studentnews/

http://www.bbc.com/news/video_and_audio/international

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/

http://www.newsinlevels.com/

http://www.englishblog.com/

http://www.reuters.com/news/video/reuters-tv


Watch TV online

• http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/ver-programas-tv-otros-paises-por-internet/

http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/ver-programas-tv-otros-paises-por-internet/

http://hola.org/


Real videos subtitled in English

http://watchinenglish.blogspot.com.es/


http://reallisteninginenglish.blogspot.com.es/

http://reallisteninginenglish.blogspot.com.es/


Songs

• Musixmatch • http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/musixmatch-lyrics-player/

http://musixmatch.com/

http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/musixmatch-lyrics-player/

http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/musixmatch-lyrics-player/


• http://musicenglish.co.uk/ • http://www.lyricstraining.com/ • http://www.lyricsgaps.com/ • http://www.its-teachers.com/interact/songs/default.asp

http://musicenglish.co.uk/

http://www.lyricstraining.com/

http://www.lyricsgaps.com/

http://www.its-teachers.com/interact/songs/default.asp


What I’ve learned from songs…

» Rumour has it (Adele) » You don’t ring true, so please stop calling me (Robbie

Williams) » How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people? (The

Beatles) » Lady Madonna, children at your feet, Wonder how you

manage to make ends meet (The Beatles)


Films• http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2013/10/05/peliculas-para-

aprender-ingles/ • http://www.yourlocalcinema.com/ (trailers subtitled in English

for people with hearing loss)

• http://www.simpleenglishvideos.com/ • http://cinema.clubefl.gr/ • http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/eslvideo/index.html • http://www.multimedia-english.com/contenidos/listado/videos • http://dvd-subtitles.com/trailers.html

http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2013/10/05/peliculas-para-aprender-ingles/

http://www.yourlocalcinema.com/

http://www.simpleenglishvideos.com/

http://cinema.clubefl.gr/

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/eslvideo/index.html

http://www.multimedia-english.com/contenidos/listado/videos

http://dvd-subtitles.com/trailers.html


TV shows

• http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/series-para-aprender-ingles/

• Watch TV shows (online; free; English subtitles): http://ororo.tv/en

http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/series-para-aprender-ingles/

http://ororo.tv/en

TED TALKS

» http://lingorank.com/talks/ (TED talks by level) » Must-see TED talks for kids » Talks by brilliant kids and teens

http://lingorank.com/talks/

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/10/5-must-see-ted-talks-for-kids.html

https://www.ted.com/playlists/129/ted_under_20


listening comprehension exercises

• http://www.listenaminute.com/ • http://www.listen-and-write.com/ • http://www.examenglish.com/index.html

http://www.listenaminute.com/

http://www.listen-and-write.com/

http://www.examenglish.com/index.html

5. WRITING



DOs AND DON’Ts

Don’t just answer the question show off!

Don’t think about what you want to say in Spanish (the exact sentence) and then translate

•What can I say in English? •What ideas do I want to express?


Tips for writing

• There’s no need to give your true opinion about a topic>>> show your strategies, and your level of English

• Draft- plan your writing (structure, guide your text towards where you want it to go)


Sample writing and comments

» http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/cambridge-english-first-handbook-2015.pdf (P.36)

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/cambridge-english-first-handbook-2015.pdf


Tips for writing

• Simpler sentences than in Spanish (less subordination) • Show you’re using vocabulary, structures and relevance up to the level • Use commas, colons, stops, full stops • Group ideas in paragraphs • Coherence inside the paragraph/between paragraphs • Use links properly • Proper use of grammar and vocabulary • Self-correction / external correction


Dictionary: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

• (English-Spanish) / English-English • British / American / Learner’s / Advanced… • Phonetics/ pronunciation • Take the meaning / word you need (not necessarily

the first one)

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/


http://www.macmillandictionary.com/

http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-cobuild-learners

http://www.merriam-webster.com/





























http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/


LANGUAGE EXCHANGEver también: http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/para-profesores-en-apuros/

http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/para-profesores-en-apuros/

6. SPEAKING



Tips

• Record yourself speaking

• Think in English/ talk to yourself in English

• Speaking groups (people learning)


Language exchange with native speakers

• Skype, e-mails, chats…

– http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/ (voice and text Exchange) – http://www.conversationexchange.com/ (live practice,

pen-pals and voice / text chats) – http://www.sharedtalk.com/ (voice / text exchanges) –Other websites: http://www.myenglishteacher.eu/blog/

your-top-10-language-exchange-websites-for-speaking-english-fluently/

http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/

http://www.conversationexchange.com/

http://www.sharedtalk.com/

http://www.myenglishteacher.eu/blog/your-top-10-language-exchange-websites-for-speaking-english-fluently/


PRONUNCIATION

• Wrong pronunciation can hinder understanding

• http://dictionary.cambridge.org/ • http://www.forvo.com/ (native speakers have recorded themselves

pronuncing words, names, place names…)

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

http://www.forvo.com/


Tips for the exam

• = writing- use expressions that will make you “look good” (show your level)

• Monologue: use of discourse markers (now then, I mean, you know…).

• Interaction: it’s not 2 monologues, one after another!


Expressions to use in an oral test

• https://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/expressions-to-use-in-a-speaking-test-monologue-interaction/

• http://mythatsenglish.blogspot.com.es/2014/11/madrid-teacher-talking-about-classifieds.html

• https://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2015/06/02/fillers-para-examenes-orales-de-ingles/

https://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/expressions-to-use-in-a-speaking-test-monologue-interaction/

http://mythatsenglish.blogspot.com.es/2014/11/madrid-teacher-talking-about-classifieds.html

https://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2015/06/02/fillers-para-examenes-orales-de-ingles/


Interaction

• question tags, to engage the other speaker in the conversation / give the floor / ask opinion

• Expressions such as don’t you think? • Expressions such as no, not really (instead of a plain “no”) • Showing agreement: definitely, absolutely… • Showing disagreement: I’m sorry to disagree but… • Show that you agree partly, but still…: I see your point,

but…


• Usual topics: https://passyourspeakinglevelb2.wordpress.com/ • interaction practice: http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/projects/

examreform/Pages/ST_InduvidLT.html • individual long turn practice: • http://iteslj.org/questions/ • http://www.esldiscussions.com/

https://passyourspeakinglevelb2.wordpress.com/

http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/projects/examreform/Pages/ST_InduvidLT.html

http://iteslj.org/questions/

http://www.esldiscussions.com/

7. VOCABULARY

Natalia López Zamarvide CIFE Juan de Lanuza (Zaragoza)


• Supports production • Active & passive vocabulary • Vocabulary in context: lists without a context, not very useful • Sources: texts, articles, films, series, radio, songs …


How?

• Writing down expressions / jotting them down (notebook, Evernote…)

• Flashcards: http://quizlet.com/ • Mind maps: – https://bubbl.us/ https:/ – /www.text2mindmap.com/ – http://popplet.com/

• Visual dictionary: http://visual.merriam-webster.com/index.php • How many words do you know?: http://testyourvocab.com/

http://quizlet.com/

https://bubbl.us/

https://www.text2mindmap.com/

https://www.text2mindmap.com/

http://popplet.com/

http://visual.merriam-webster.com/index.php

http://testyourvocab.com/


http://visuwords.com/

http://visuwords.com/


Expressions in context

• http://fraze.it/: find expressions, set phrases, in real contexts

• Oxford Online Collocation Dictionary

http://fraze.it/

http://oxforddictionary.so8848.com/

8. GRAMMAR



Support for skills

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/6min_gram (BBC 6-minute grammar, podcast)

• http://www.agendaweb.org/ • http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/ • http://www.roadtogrammar.com/welcome/winload.swf • http://autoenglish.org/basicgrammar.htm • Use of English : http://www.flo-joe.com/preliminaryenglish/index.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/6min_gram

http://www.agendaweb.org/

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/

http://www.roadtogrammar.com/welcome/winload.swf

http://autoenglish.org/basicgrammar.htm

http://www.flo-joe.com/preliminaryenglish/index.htm


• http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/apps/learnenglish-grammar-uk-edition

• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/murphys-english-grammar-in/id848215354?mt=8

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/apps/learnenglish-grammar-uk-edition

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/murphys-english-grammar-in/id848215354?mt=8


Resources organized by categories

• https://delicious.com/natalialzam/

https://delicious.com/natalialzam/

9. DON’T BE A TOURIST

Natalia López Zamarvide CIFE Juan de Lanuza (Zaragoza)


• “solo se aprende el idioma yendo al país”


LISTENING & SPEAKING

• Greeters:

• http://www.globalgreeternetwork.info/ • http://www.londongreeters.org/

• Google the name of the town / city you’re going to visit + greeter, for example, “Canterbury Greeters”.

http://www.globalgreeternetwork.info/

http://www.londongreeters.org/


http://watchinenglish.blogspot.com.es/2013/10/the-story-of-keep-calm-and-carry-on.html

http://watchinenglish.blogspot.com.es/2013/10/the-story-of-keep-calm-and-carry-on.html

http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/ [email protected]

Natalia López Zamarvide Asesora C. lingüística

CIFE “Juan de Lanuza”


http://natalialzam.wordpress.com/

mailto:[email protected]

b2 tips

Education