COLEGIO BILINGÜE

BUCKINGHAM
Improve student outcome in
reading and writing

2
Reasoning
 Students do not have enough exposure to:
 Introduction in a spoken manner
(speaker’s accent is strange to them).
 Students need to become more familiar with answer
sheets.
 More “time management” drills.
 Writing takes too long.
 Not taking notes while listening.
 Second observer in speaking section.
Solution
 How can we provide more exposure to
different accents?
 When is it appropriate to do this?
 Where is the exam taken?
 Who are the people that are running the
exam? (Ss do not know them).
 Is it all done at once?
 The answer sheet.
Reading
 Read instructions (ICQ).
 Read questions first (not our opinion).
 Timed drills for each part with answer sheet.
 Part 1 (7 minutes Interpretation).
 Part 2 (10 minutes matching appropriateness
and suitability)
 Part 3 (10 minutes True or False).
 Part 4 (10 minutes Factual Information).
 Part 5 (10 Minutes Word Choice).
Writing
 ICQ for each part
 Part 1 (10 minutes Rephrasing /
Transformation).
 Part 2 (10 Minutes Thank you letter or email
Past or future).
 Part 3 (10 minutes storytelling connecting
events).
Tips for Reading part 1

There is NO connection Ask yourself: Why, Who

between the 5 questions and where?

Look carefully at each

option before you decide

Some words are repeated

When there are negative
in the message and
words, think carefully
options, think on the idea
about the meaning
as a WHOLE
Tips for Reading part 2

After finishing, check that

Underline key words
the remaining 3 DO NOT
about the people
match

Read everything in full

then start matching

Sometimes information
Understand the
about the people is
instructions
similar: suitability
Tips for Reading part 3

Read the title and text

Read the statements and
quickly for general idea
underline key words
then again more slowly

The questions are ALWAYS

in the order of the text

Match the words you

Understanding all the underlined in the
words in unnecessary questions with the
meaning of the text
Tips for Reading part 4

Some options are very

Elimination process for
similar in meaning and
each question
have similar information

Some questions are about

the ENTIRE text

Read questions first and Unfamiliar with the topic:

the choices, then it’s an opportunity to
underline key words learn!
Tips for Reading part 5

Read the text Before looking at the

COMPLETELY, then read options think of a word
the options. you would put

Read each complete

sentence (what is it
telling you)

Get help from the words After finishing, read the

before and after the gap whole text: Does it make
sense?
Tips for Writing part 1

Use a maximum of 3 Recognize the structure

words. of the FIRST sentence

Check that the MEANING

does not change

Double check words

VERBS must be in the
before and after the gap:
same tense
COMPARISONS
Tips for Writing part 2

Substitute verbs like:

ICQ and underline key
Thank, suggest, tell,
words
offer, etc.

Make quick notes in the

ORDER of the points

Make sure you cover ALL Double check spelling snd

THREE parts grammar
Tips for Writing part 3

You only need to answer

Number of words! Make
ONE of the questions and
sure the story has THREE
choose the one you LIKE
parts
the most

Plan your ideas and the

SEQUENCE. Start and end
letters appropriately

PAST TENSES for telling a Do not write TOO MANY

story are key of your own ideas.