Towards the oral exam

Resources

The oral exam is just round the corner and I thought it might be a good idea to have a look at some of the posts I have published that can help you revise , improve or practise. Remember the more you practise ,the easier you’ll find it and the more fluent you’ll become.

vozMe– This converts text into speech. You can type any word and even a text ( use the copy and paste option 😉  ) and then choose a male or a female voice.( If you want to know my opinion ,  the female voice is clearer). The text will be read to you.
Read the post here

Howjay.com- I just love this dictionary!! You enter the word and you submit it. When it appears in pink , mouse over it to hear it spoken as often as you want. You don’t have to wait a second as it is individually pre-recorded!!
You can translate the word into Spanish or any other language using the Google Translate and then get the definition for the word
Read the post here

Fotobabble– Great to practise picture description. Upload a photo and record yourself describing it. Listen to your own description and work on how to improve it.
Read the post here.

Listen a minute- Want to improve pronunciation and intonation? Dedicate one minute to listening and reading along .
Read the post here

Role-plays– a selection of role-plays for the elementary level aimed at the oral exam.
Click on the photo and it’ll take you there!

Related posts:

You’ll never forget how to pronounce “would”

Some help with the Speaking Test … or not?

False friends: embarrassed or embarazada?

Monty Python :Silly Job Interview

Role Play: at the train station

Lesson Plan: Pre-Intermediate, , ,

Sorry but I’m up to my eyes in exams and I haven’t been able to dedicate one single moment to my blog. But I promised I’ll try to publish some more role-plays and I won’t go back on my word. So here’s a new one: At the train station. Click here if you want to see the instructions about how to study with this video or if you are used to them , stay on the blog and just watch the video. I have introduced a new feature: the role of the examiner, which you’ll clearly see as it is being introduced by the photo of a teacher. I hope this helps!

Sade: pure magic

General, Music

I had to choose a singer, it would undoubtedly be her. I absolutely love this woman! The beautiful sweet Sade /ʃɑːˈdeɪ /is the lead vocalist of the English group, Sade, and I’ve been addicted to her music ever since I heard her song  Smooth Operator back in 1984. I’ve got lots of favourite songs but two of my favourites are “By your side“ and “Is it a crime? “

My love is wider, wider than Victoria Lake
My love is taller, taller than the Empire State

Now, after 10 years in retirement  she’s just released her new album “Soldiers of Love” and she’s as good as ever but  I want   to  show you  what made me fall in love with her music. I was very young when I watched the music video of The Sweetest Taboo but I was mesmerized by her beauty, her elegance and her incredible voice.I’m convinced that Sade’s music  will be in my life for ever.

This song is probably not her best one but I think it very well shows the essence of Sade and what made me fall in love with the sound of her music.

Talking Photos: Fotobabble

freeware, In the Computer Room, Resources, Speaking, , , , ,

What a great tool this is!!

The Certificación exam is  just around the corner and bumping into this little tool right now got me thinking whether some things  happen by sheer chance or by  some divine intervention. Choose the one you feel most comfortable with .

Now, as you know , in the oral part of the exam you’ll be asked to describe  a/some picture(s)  in three minutes. Well, here’s a good tool to help you rehearse for this part of the exam. It’s called Fotobabble and it looks promising.

This is what you have to do to use this app:

  • First, sign up. Don’t worry it’s free and it only takes a few seconds.
  • Upload a photo from your computer.
  • Record your voice using a microphone
  • Listen to your recording.

This is quite OK as far as you are concerned but I’d like to see what you are doing , so why don’t you send me your fotobabbles ? No idea how to do it ? Click on the link below and in  a video and in Spanish I’ll explain it all to you. No excuses now!!

http://www.screencast.com/users/cristinacd/folders/Jing/media/a9ed9e6f-4356-468f-82d9-8c10558a9a8b