7 Must-Use, Last-Minute Revision Tips for Language Exams
Relax, I’ve got ages until my exams…! Sound familiar? Why Do I Need Last-Minute Revision Tips for Language Exams? See meme! My Last Minute Revision Story As a student taking my French and German GCSE and French and German A-Level exams between 2003-2005, I used to put revision off until the very last minute. More often than not, until the week before my exams. This is when I, rightly so, started panicking. Obviously, as a teacher, I don’t advocate leaving revision until the last minute, as it really should be an ongoing process. However, I know many students who end up in the same situation as I did. Therefore, I’d…
Post-School Education & Work in Germany Listening Lesson
GCSE German Intermediate Listening Lesson on Post-School Options in Germany I needed a post-education and work listening lesson for my German language students this week. Unfortunately, I am still struggling to find authentic topic-related listening material from other sources. Despite using the sites in the German Listening Websites for GCSE list I put together a couple of years ago! This month, I am working on the ‘post-education and work’ topic in my German GCSE course. I wanted some supplementary listening material to help my students practise their listening skills. So, I wrote a transcript and had a native male speaker record it. In addition, I added some activities. These focus…
Acrostic Whiteboard Vocabulary Building Activity
WORD ACROSTIC – VOCABULARY PRACTICE FOR LANGUAGE LESSONS There are so many vocabulary building activities that you can use in the language classroom and this one is one of my absolute favourites! Not only is this vocabulary building activity completely NO-PREP, it’s also very high impact and can be used at the beginning of a topic as a starter, as well as used as revision. I recently used the acrostic vocabulary builder to introduce the topic of ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ with one of my older groups. Some found it tricky, others enjoyed the challenge – there were a lot of food items on the list! What Do You Need To Carry…
How To Improve Your Reading Skills in 4 Easy Steps – Language Learners
Want To Know How To Improve Reading Skills, Language Learners? (You’re in the right place!) I adore teaching languages and often my students ask me for suggestions on how to improve reading skills and develop their vocabulary. I like the question, since reading is one of the four main skills when learning a language and you’re always going to need words to communicate! I tell them to go and read whatever they can find and are interested in. This is supported by Nuttall who states that “an extensive reading programme…is the single most effective way of improving both vocabulary and reading skills in general” (1982, p.65) One of the ways…
Werden, Wurden or Würden – The Difference
Werden, Wurden or Würden?The Difference Explained As a teacher, I’ve never really been phased by the difference between these three verb forms: werden, wurden and würden. However, sometimes my students are confused and don’t always feel confident in the slight subtleties in pronunciation, conjugation and use. After a bit of thought and research, I’ve created a schema with the aim of helping, as well as a table with each conjugated verb form alongside all subject pronouns. Below, you will also find a .WAV file with how they should sound too, read by a native speaker. How To Pronounce: Werden, Wurden and Würden? Werden, Wurden or Würden Schema – What’s The…
Vocabulary Building Activity – Last Man Standing
Fun Vocabulary Building Game for Language Classrooms This vocabulary building activity is a game that is a little different to my other vocabulary games for the language classroom! The difference being that it has students standing up in a circle to begin with. Although this vocabulary game is supposed to be played at a fast pace, it does allow for a moment of thinking-time. In addition, it lends itself well for students to learn vocabulary and pick up on pronunciation from their peers. LAST MAN STANDING – VOCABULARY ACTIVITY Vocabulary Activity Resources Required:Soft ball or your choice of plush toyWhen To Use:Anytime. But works well as a starter or plenary.…
