Introduction
We are twelve students from CAE1, who came to New Zealand as inexperienced and naive greenhorns. But the time at Languages International has changed us into self-confident and all-knowing academics with a great deal of life experience. Now our teachers, HD and Victoria, think that we are ready for the ultimate task: writing a review about the CAE3 class‘ blog and adding some of our own ideas.
Review of the blog
“Advice for Cambridge, TOEFL and IELTS students” is a great piece of writing, which offers new students a good insight into a student’s life at Languages International. First of all, the blog is well divided into different, clearly structured paragraphs. Furthermore, the pieces of advice given cover spare time as well as school time and emphasise the importance of a good study-life balance. But as all the students study in their very own way, it seems to us a little too general. Nevertheless, it has a very good effect on the target reader and encourages the students to think about their personal way of learning which will lead them to successful exams.
Additional Information
How to keep the learning motivation
· If you don’t see the wood for the trees, set your priorities.
· Look for short-term, reachable, realistic goals and stick to them because the saying of “it’s never too late“ doesn’t apply in terms of preparing for a CAE exam.
· It’s better to learn step by step – just three new words a day instead of desperately learning a whole list. This vocabulary should be used in your daily speaking for the purpose of helping yourself to remember the words.
· Reward yourself after reaching a goal. Recharge your batteries by doing leisure activities, go on a trip and enjoy yourself and New Zealand. Take part in the Social Programme.
· If you don’t feel like studying, just watch a movie, listen to some music or discuss current news in English. This is also helpful to broaden your knowledge of English.
· Read one article out of a newspaper a day. By doing so you will get used to reading quickly and efficiently.
· Change your learning routine. For example, learn with a friend instead of learning alone all the time.
· You should use a wide range of grammar and vocabulary in your writing, because your writing will be marked higher if you do so.
· You should have been speaking English in your free time throughout the course, because this offers you another way of learning new vocabulary and you get into the language more easily.
And keep in mind “never bury your head in the sand”.
Specific advice about the Learning Center
· You may ask the supportive and helpful teachers for help at any time.
· Take advantage of making an individual appointment with a teacher. Being supported by a teacher, you will learn more efficiently.
· We suggest trying to make the most of the materials in the LC in order to improve your general language skills by borrowing books from the library, watching DVD‘s and using the interactive learning resources on the computers.
· If the LC is too busy or crowded to concentrate on studying, use the quiet study room to do your work on your own.
We hope our blog has inspired you to think about the ways you are studying and how to cope with your possible lack of motivation.
As soon as you have finished this course, don’t stop learning and using English. Your gained knowledge will be a major help in your future life, whether it is while travelling or meeting people from any part of the world or most likely communicating in your professional life.
Don’t forget to enjoy your time in New Zealand. Remember this might be the best time of your life.
By the CAE1 class at Languages International Auckland
