A Formula for success at B2 First

Michael Brand
english.com/liveclasses

2
Exam classes
• Language and being able to use it (CEFR)
• Understanding requirements of exam
• Exam (real life?) strategies and skills, exam language, practice
• How much of each?
• Engagement and energy
Listening part 1 – multiple choice
Transcript

1. I can't believe you said that – it's unacceptable!

2. It's so hard to work when there's such a lot of noise in the
house!
3. I really can't wait to start my new job.
4. It's a good thing I booked ahead – the hotel's completely full
now.
5. It will be a tough thing to do, but I guess it's not impossible if I
really try hard.
6. It's raining, so do I really have to go to the shops right now?
Feelings role cards
• The winning proposal for the 10,000 euros your school has to spend is a new football
pitch
• You have a surprise exam tomorrow
• You’re going to a Justin Bieber concert tonight with your friends
• The price of salmon has increased a lot recently
• Use students’ interests

• Demonstrate your feeling. Prep time.

• Guess others’ feelings
• Take notes and reveal answers at end jealous relieved sorry angry hopeful

tired annoyed sad excited pleased

bored anxious confident worried unwilling

Writing part 1 – essay
UPGRADE
PICTURE
Using the model to drill linkers & set phrases
It is very important to learn different languages in the modern world. This essay will 1) discuss / examine /
consider the best ways to learn a new language.

It is 2) clear /evident / undeniable that travelling to another country is an excellent way to improve your language
skills. You have to speak the language every day, in order to communicate, and you can also make new friends. 3)
However, / That said, / Nevertheless, it is not always possible for people to do this, as it can be expensive.

Learning online has some advantages. There are lots of free lessons online and you can study when you want.
4) But / However, / Despite that, the disadvantage is that you are learning on your own and not speaking the
language.

Another good way to learn a language is to go to a class in your own country. Classes are sociable and fun, and
you get lots of practice of speaking.

5) All in all, To sum up, In conclusion, I think travelling to live in a country is the best way to learn a language, but
if this is not possible, a class is the next best option.
Reading and Use of English Part 3

Negative
prefixes Adverbs

Verb
Adjective suffixes
suffixes and
Noun suffixes prefixes
Treat the text as a text
• What do they know, predict, read for gist
• Hide words first, what’s required?
Noting vocabulary
• Brainstorm other forms
• Column in notebook for other forms
• Vocab revision
• Competitions, word tennis etc.
precise legal organised accurate certain formal

available regular relevant patient pleasant precise

accessible loyal logical satisfied stable adequate

-Correct prefix
-Use word in compound sentence
agree appear assist collect decide

destroy employ encourage explain happy

ill improve independent kind nervous

perform popular safe similar vary

secure discuss forgive enjoy communicate

curious guide refresh accept advertise

agree appear assist collect decide

destroy employ encourage explain happy

ill improve independent kind nervous

perform popular safe similar vary

secure discuss forgive enjoy communicate

curious guide refresh accept advertise

refreshment, refreshing, refreshingly (3 points)

Gapfill gamble
Belfast
Sunderland
Leiceter
DIS

Nottingham
Coventry
Cardiff
Bristol
Edinburgh
1
3
4

Bradford
Sheffield
Glasgow
Leeds

MIS
Liverpool
Manchester
Birmingham
London

23
Reading and Use of English part 7
1. worry? anxious? extinct? die? names of
animals?
Teacher input

Listen up, time for a bit of quiet, let’s turn down the noise

Sit down, take a seat, take the weight off your feet

Hilarious, you crack me up, side-splittingly funny!

Synonym memory game
Synonym memory game
• 1.Means the same as ‘fortunately’ – LUCKILY
• 2.Means the same as ‘in a bad mood’ – GRUMPY
• 3.A synonym of ‘funny’ – AMUSING
• 4.The opposite of ‘low point’- HIGHLIGHT
• 5.Means the same as ‘defenceless’ – HELPLESS
• 6.The opposite of ‘very ugly’ – STUNNING
• 7.A synonym of ‘set off’ – LEAVE
• 8.Means the same as ‘become happier’ – CHEER UP
• 9.The opposite of ‘sunrise’ – SUNSET
• 10.Means when you look for a long time – GAZING
Speaking part 1
Critically
analyse
models
Language for
giving a reason
Upgrade
language
Functional
language
Regular practice
• Question slips, mingles

• Guess the question

• Coming into class
Speaking part 2
• Comparing

• Speculating

• Organising your answer well

• Give a detail for the follow-up question

• Deal with unfamiliar vocab

Comparing – scaffolding the language
Speculating
Organising your answer well
Give a detail to a follow-up question, make it
about you
When we don’t know the word for something
When we don’t know the word for something
• Thingamagic?
• Ujamawawa?
• Cachevache, un no sé que?
Don’t know the word for something

To practice:

Taboo
A fun practice idea
• Can you use the language of comparison and speculation?
Photos to use outside of the course
• Students’ photos
• Magazines, travel guides etc
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