The goal of the Language program’s 10th grade (consolidation of B1 Speaking level) is to have students use more complex grammatical structure and to be able to express their ideas more fully. Just as with A2 to B1 (9th grade), students are assessed based on how they make themselves understood and on how well they understand.
Students should each create and build on a personal vocabulary list with new words and expressions in English and a simple definition or Italian translation next to each new word or phrase. Part of the grade is based on this list.
This year I will start with preparing students for the Speaking and Listening parts of the Cambridge B1 PET exam using resources on the Cambridge website (https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/resources-for-teachers/) as well as the website breakoutenglish.com.
Unit 1 – Cambridge B1 Preliminary English Test (PET) Speaking Exam. Oral exam: Simulation of Part 1. In Speaking Part 1 of the Cambridge PET Exam candidates (students) need to answer questions about their daily life and likes / dislikes. Each candidate speaks for approximately one minute by answering two to four questions. Here are some sample questions from breakoutenglish.com students should practice answering. Note, however, that candidates are NOT asked to spell their first or last name (surname), spelling has been eliminated in the new version of the exam. Here is the original website: https://breakoutenglish.com/preliminary-pet/cambridge-speaking-part-1-chat-cards/
Unit 2 – How to describe something in English, materials (cotton, wool, paper, metal, etc.) and game What am I? (20 questions). Students pretend that they are staying with a family in Dublin, Ireland and they don’t remember the name of something that they need to ask for. Oral Exam: What am I? Presentations. Students choose three items to describe using color, size and material that the item is made out of. Also: when and where do you use it? Why (what is it for)?
Unit 3 – Clothing. Students talk about clothes using clothing adjectives (materials, etc.) and vocabulary- for example, long-sleeved, short-sleeved, colorful, high-heeled shoes, T-shirt. Casual, elegant, fashionable, trendy. Oral Exam: students role play in pairs talking about a picture in a fashion magazine.
Unit 4 – English speaking city presentations in past tense. British Council Learn English Teens A Day in London (with Sophia). Students research an English speaking city and prepare a poster and presentation detailing a trip to that city (or region or small country, e.g. Malta or Barbados). Where is the city? When is the best time to go? What currency is used? How did you get to the city? What did you pack in your suitcase? What did you do while you were there? Describe a museum or acquarium or other monument or attraction – how much are tickets? How and where do you buy a ticket? What days and hours is the ____ open? What famous people or sports teams are from the town? What monuments and natural areas are there? Oral Exam: 5 to 10 minute presentation. Students listening prepare written questions to show before he or she presents as part of grade.
End of term.
Unit 5 – Gossip and Rumors. Game: telefone. Carpool Karaoke with Ariana Grande. What rumors are spread about her? How did they get started? Oral Exam: Role play – gossip girls (and guys). Students act out a mini play involving a rumor.
Unit 6 – Talking about TV shows. What is the last TV show you really got into? Describe it? Who is in it? What kind of show is it? Where is it on? Oral exam: 2 minute presentation on TV shows.
Games – Game to review past tense: what did the teacher do (do 10 things and have the students tell them back to you). Students then prepare actions to do, after 10 students do actions, then another student should recite them back in past tense, e.g. ‘Elena dropped her pencil, Eric crumpled up a piece of paper, Christina took a bite of a cookie, …’