You're outside the examination room, waiting to be called - how do you feel? Sweaty hands, racing heart and a sense of impending doom? Or relaxed and ready to put your best to the test? Taking an English examination is perhaps not everybody's idea of fun, but if you're well prepared and keen to get your hands on that certificate, there are ways of making it an enriching experience.
As an ESL/EFL teacher, you can make sure first and foremost that your students are familiar with the format and requirements of the examination they are soon to take. This could involve sharing any necessary information and instructions, as well as working on some practice material that reflects the type of activities they will encounter. Every test in the telc English range, for example, is accompanied by a mock examination to help learners familiarise themselves with the layout and type of tasks contained in the examination itself. Many tests also feature their own dedicated study material for extra practice and a little light relief, such as the telc English A2-B1 'From A to B' examination preparation booklet. Once learners are comfortable with the formal aspects of the test, all that remains is to show what they can do!
So how do you ensure that your students walk into a written or oral examination feeling confident and motivated to achieve the desired outcome? Do you use any particular resources to make their preparation more meaningful and enjoyable? What ideas and advice would you give to other teachers? Post some comments on the telc English Facebook page and let us know!
As a learner meanwhile, you can follow the information and advice provided by your teacher to find what to expect from the examination. But what else can you do to try and help everything go smoothly on the day? There are the usual practical considerations of course, such as getting a good night's sleep and making sure you have the right equipment, but what do you personally do to make the experience as positive and stress-free as possible? Do you have any tips for other test takers on how to prepare or what to do on the day? Join the discussion on the telc English Facebook page and share your thoughts!
A further means of reducing pre-examination stress could be the confidence in knowing that your chances of getting a certificate are doubled! Learners seeking reassurance may prefer to take a dual-level test such as the telc English A2-B1 examination. Covering levels A2 to B1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages within the same examination, this innovative format give test takers the opportunity to gain a more precise assessment of their language abilities. You can find out more about the telc English A2-B1 dual-level examination and preparation material on the relevant section of our website and through a special feature in the August 2011 issue of Spotlight magazine.
Special Facebook Launch Competition
Be one of the first to ‘like’ our page and win a copy of the new telc English A2-B1 examination preparation booklet “From A to B” which includes 2 audio CDs to help you practice for the new dual-level examination! Five lucky winners will be drawn every week until the end of August.
Discussion Topic Preview
Look out for next week's article, which will be out on telc Current News on 8 August.