З 11 березня по 23 березня 2024 року вчителі англійської мови Волошин В.А., Варивода О.В., Галата Л.В. пройшли заняття за 30-годинною освітньою програмою підготовки до реалізації Державного стандарту базової середньої освіти на циклі предметного навчання для вчителів мовно-літературної
It’s no secret that exams can be nerve-wracking for many different reasons. However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can manage your nerves and approach your exam with confidence. Here are 5 tips for reducing exam stress and empowering yourself to succeed.
Understanding the format of your exam is crucial. Exams have different tasks that assess your language skills – for example, speaking interviews, reading comprehension or essay-writing tasks. Familiarise yourself with the task types in your exam through practice and by using sample questions in online demos and practice tests.
The more you practise, the better you’ll understand what is expected of you. If you’re taking an exam like Oxford Test of English, be sure to know how the tasks are presented and what technical aspects you might need to handle.
You can also practise a lot of the skills required in a test like the Oxford Test of English in real-life situations, such as leaving a voicemail or writing an email.
Joining a study group can offer mutual support and motivation. Sharing tips, resources and practice sessions with others can make a significant difference to your exam-preparation journey and reduce exam stress. You can also find useful tips and resources on our social channels.
If self-study isn’t enough, consider enrolling in a class or finding a teacher. This can help give your preparation structure and focus, guiding you through the material that you need to know for the exam.
Stay positive and keep your goals in sight. Remind yourself why you’re taking the exam. Is it for travel, university, career advancement or personal satisfaction? Use this as your motivation to put time into preparation.
You can also take inspiration from others who’ve taken the test, like Francisco from Spain, who said ‘taking the Oxford Test of English was a good experience and a great starting point for improving and practising my English during my travels’ or Nicolas from Argentina, who said ‘The Oxford Test of English meant I could take the next step on my career ladder’.
How to reduce test anxiety? Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly and establish a consistent sleep routine to reduce stress and anxiety, particularly in the weeks leading up to your exam.
In addition, don’t forget to take study breaks – overworking can lead to burnout. You might think it’s helpful to sit for hours on end studying back-to-back-to-back, but taking a break can help you feel more energised and ready to sit down and study again. It’s good for you both physically and mentally.
Remember, studying is important, but so is personal time to unwind and reflect.
When exam day arrives, take a deep breath. Believe in your preparation and abilities and keep calm and confident.
Read through the questions carefully and allocate your time wisely. A great tip from Marina in Spain, who took the Oxford Test of English, is to be aware that ‘…if you don’t use all the time for one of the modules – Speaking, Listening, Reading or Writing – you can use that time in another part of the test. So don’t hurry. Use all of the allocated time for each section, and you’ll do great.’
It’s also helpful to visualise success; imagine yourself completing the test with confidence. This positive mental practice can help reduce test anxiety.
By following these useful tips, you can reduce your exam stress and anxiety in the lead up to the day.
Language is constantly evolving and adapting to the needs of its speakers. The dynamic nature of language ensures its survival and relevance in a rapidly changing world. Each year, dictionaries select their Word of the Year. In 2023, the Oxford University Press chose rizz (noun), which means to have charisma. Other dictionaries chose hallucinate (verb), which is when an AI model produces incorrect or false information and AI (noun) which means artificial intelligence. These choices demonstrate that words and phrases are continually being added to the English language, so it’s important to keep up to date with them. Let’s have a look at 8 new words in English for 2024 you’ll likely hear a lot.
Although you might have heard this word before, it’s taken on a new meaning with the evolution of AI.
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With the increasing use of AI, the term prompt has become essential in discussing how AI systems function and how to generate content with human input.
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Discussions around climate change introduce new meteorological terms like heat dome. Many more will likely develop in the near future.
Though this term has been around for a while, it has only recently been added to the dictionary.
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There are more and more discussions about animal welfare, and knowing how animals are treated before they are consumed.
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This word reflects modern relationships beyond traditional labels.
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This term highlights the distinction between a symbolic leader and one with actual authority.
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This term helps explain the various mundane but necessary tasks that keep our lives running smoothly.
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Who doesn’t want a new English word to describe a good feeling?!
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Large language models like ChatGPT are revolutionising the way we interact with technology and engage in natural language conversations, emphasising the importance of staying informed about cutting-edge language developments.
Language is a reflection of our ever-changing world, and as it evolves, it expands our ability to express new ideas and concepts. By staying up to date with emerging words, we further our communication and embrace the dynamic nature of language.
Songs are a great way for children to learn English. But where do we start and how do we go about it? In this post, Nick Manthei, OUP Senior Professional Development Consultant, shares his thoughts.
Name one activity that gets all students to give their full attention, supports pronunciation in English and allows fun movement of the body. As you can guess from the title of this blog, it is songs that can do all this consistently, plus start a lesson well, repair a lesson when things get a little chaotic, and can close a lesson with a review of the language learned.
Here, I present you with ten reasons to use songs with your young learners along with song ideas!
Singing and movement naturally put a smile on everyone’s face. Songs are fun and learners look forward to joining the harmony whenever they get a chance. They can even make learners giggle, which is one of the best sounds to hear from a class. A fun example of this is with the song ‘Here is the Beehive’ and pretending to sting each other after the chorus.
When learners are bored or distracted, I find that a good upbeat song is the thing to recapture their energy for the lesson. An example here could be ‘Wheels on the Bus. When learners are overstimulated and it’s time to reorganize to start a new task, I find slow songs can be helpful in the transition from lots of movement to lesser amounts of movement. An example here could be ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’.
Moving from a coursebook activity to a non-coursebook activity, or vice versa, can be a real challenge for young learners. A short and simple song can really help learners speed up their tidying-up process and can get them motivated for the next activity. It signals to the learners that we are moving on to the next activity so let’s get ready. An example here could be a Tidy Up or Clean Up song.
Sitting still for long periods of time is not something young learners are known for. They are curious, want to learn, and also want to move. Moving and singing at the same time can actually help vocabulary retention and understanding meaning. A great song example for this is ‘Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed’.
Some of our learners come to our classes with a lot of English vocabulary, while others in the same class may be learning English for the first time. Singing is an activity that children of all levels can enjoy equally. Students with low levels of English will be able to follow along with gestures and dances as they gradually learn the language in the song. More advanced students can enjoy singing and dancing while improving their rhythm, intonation, and pronunciation, even if they already know all the words. A great example here could be ‘If you are happy and you know it’ as it is quite easy to pick up the lyrics as well as allowing advanced learners to make up lyrics like ‘If you are sad and you know it start to cry’.
Any song can get boring after a dozen times. To keep it exciting why not ask students to break into groups? You can have one group sing one line and the second group sing the next. This back-and-forth makes it fun for all. Additionally, you could give each group a keyword. Everyone sings sitting but when the keyword is said the group with that keyword stands up briefly and sits down. Great fun with this vocab game is while singing ‘Old McDonald’.
It can sometimes be difficult to provide as much review as we’d like for our students. Songs are a fun, easy way to quickly recycle language from earlier lessons. An example when reviewing body parts is ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’.
When you teach with songs, you can be assured those songs will bounce around your students’ heads long after the class is over. They can spontaneously start singing in the park, while washing hands or even when in bed. The same can’t be said for most other teaching tools. ‘Baby shark’ is an example that seems to get stuck in everyone’s head, especially the teacher’s!
Learners thrive when they know what to expect in the lesson. Why not make it part of your everyday routine so that learners know to expect a song or two at a certain time of their lesson? This helps them mentally prepare both for the lesson as well as the songs.
Taking songs one step further, I often include a skill exercise to really exploit the song. For reading you could print out the lyrics and scramble them for your learners to put back in order. For writing you could use parts of the song as a dictation or simply just write their favorite line. Learners could listen to an unknown song first and ask them what it is about and then show them the lyrics. And finally, you can turn the song into a speaking activity where learners get into groups of three and decide on new lyrics for the song. Any song could be used to help you work on any skill.
У п'ятницю 26.01.24 відбулося нагородження переможців II етапу Всеукраїнської олімпіади з англійської та німецької мови. Щиро вітаємо наших ліцеїстів та їх наставників і бажаємо нових перемог та здійснення всіх їх задумів. Так тримати!
Navigating job interviews in English can be challenging. You might be nervous and excited on the day, so preparing for a job interview effectively beforehand is key to success. This means practising some of the typical questions you might be asked, and thinking about how you might answer them. Let’s look at some useful language for preparing for a job interview in English, so you can handle common job interview questions confidently.
Usually, an interview will start this way. So how should you answer this, and not say too much or too little?
Use descriptive adjectives and preferences – Talk about your personality and interests using adjectives.
I’m a creative and analytical person who enjoys … ; I’m an enthusiastic and professional individual who likes …
Talk about experiences and describe your professional journey.
I’ve gained experience in marketing over the past five years … ; My experience ranges from working in a fashion shop to serving in a restaurant during university holidays …
Usually, interviewers will want to know your thoughts about yourself, as well as understand any feedback you’ve received throughout your past experiences.
Use positive and negative adjectives (but be careful which negative ones you use!) – It’s challenging but essential to talk about things you do well, and things you need to improve. For strengths, be concise and honest.
Something that I am quite good at is problem-solving … ; I’m excellent at adapting to new situations…
When you need to talk about negative things, focus on areas of improvement.
One thing I need to work on is time management, but I am actively improving by …
Avoid negativity – If you had issues with your former employer or colleagues, don’t mention them. A new employer would not be happy to hear these sorts of issues.
Instead, focus on ambition and goals – talk about seeking challenges and skill development.
I was looking for more opportunities to learn about teaching, and use my existing skills to …
Before the interview, research the company. Show your knowledge about the company’s focus and ambitions.
I’ve seen that the company is really focused on sustainability and I am eager to learn/develop this … ; I know that the company is working towards … and I am keen to be a part of that.
Align with the company philosophy – Discuss how the company’s values match yours.
I’ve read on the company website that you value innovation, and that is something very important to me because …
With this typical job interview question, the interviewer will ask you about situations you have faced which you might come up against again in the new role.
Describe problem-solving skills – Outline a situation, the challenge you faced and your solution.
I was faced with a situation where I had to manage a tight deadline … So I decided to prioritise tasks … And finally …
This typical job interview question aims to see if you intend to stay in the company long-term, or whether you would like to develop in the industry.
Use future forms – Talk about industry trends and personal goals for your professional future.
I would really like to become a team leader … ; I think that I will move in the direction of management … ; I would like to learn and hopefully in five years I will have/be …
Always ask questions at the end of an interview. It shows your interest and engagement in the company and the role.
Ask simple but insightful questions – For example, about the selection process or company culture.
What is a typical day like at the company? Are there opportunities to grow and train in specific areas?
Job interviews in English require both linguistic and strategic preparation. By understanding and practising these typical job interview questions, you can feel confident on interview day. Remember, it’s not just about answering questions but also showing off your personality, skills, and suitability for the role. Good luck!
Can you think of any other useful language for preparing for a job interview in English? Share in the comments below!
Find out how to write a cover letter for a job application here.
Match the typical job interview questions to the example responses.
| 1. Tell me about yourself. | A. I was faced with a situation where I had to manage a small team, unexpectedly. |
| 2. What are your strengths and weaknesses? | B. Something that I am quite good at is managing a team. |
| 3. Why did you leave your previous job? | C. I would really like to become a manager. |
| 4. Why do you want to work here? | D. I’m a conscientious and strategic person who enjoys… |
| 5. Tell me about a time when… | E. I was looking for more opportunities to learn about hospitality. |
| 6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? | F. I know that the company is working towards…and I am keen to be a part of that. |
| 7. Do you have any questions for me? | G. What are usual working hours? |
Національно-патріотичне виховання,
формування національної позиції, просвіта питань особистої безпеки під час
війни на уроках англійської мови.
Сьогодні
на таку тему відбулось засідання ліцейної професійної спільноти вчителів
англійської мови. В ході засідання були обговорені наступні питавння:
1. Національно-патріотичне виховання на уроках
англійської мови.( Волошин В.А., Галата Л.В.)
Nowadays the aim of teaching English language is the
formation of young personalities who see themselves not only as representatives
of one culture but as citizens of the world who understand their importance and
responsibility in global processes which are taking place in Ukraine these
days. That’s why the knowledge of socio – cultural competence helps them to
realize themselves on the same level with their peers all over the world. This
tendency forces them to change their attitude during the process of learning
English language. It develops the learners’ socio-linguistic outlook, memory
and creative thinking. The success of this process equally depends on two
factors: teachers’ and students’ motivation and competence. Our task, as a
teacher here, is to bring forward the problem fields which can motivate a
student and integrate into the world society using English language perfectly.
We involve the learner into the world of foreign languages through the cultural
component, new life style, comparing cultures, mentality, values, customs and
traditions of English – speaking countries and their own one. It helps them to
understand the language and gives an opportunity to use their knowledge in
everyday life.
Today one of our main tasks is to bring up real
patriots of Ukraine. The spiritual development of pupils depends on their
attitude to their Motherland, its history, culture and traditions. During the
process of learning students don’t only get the knowledge but they have an opportunity
to use the foreign language as the mean of communication and receiving new and
useful information.
Teaching English in modern school gives great
possibilities to bring up true patriots. Using their knowledge about Ukraine
and people, students can talk about themselves as representatives of Ukrainian
culture who can make this world better. Working in teams, discussing the
possible ways out to the suggested problems give them an opportunity to feel
the patriots of their land.
To achieve the aim of bringing up patriotism during
the lessons, we draw a parallel between Ukraine and English-speaking world. Our
students have to do individual and group research to answer the questions about
the way of life, life priorities, youth problems, subcultures, customs,
traditions, cuisine, history, political life etc.
Language learning covers different every day topics,
all potentially significant in any student’s life. The most useful methods in
this process include:
·
Project work (involving practical meaning, necessity of individual
research, unpredictability of process
and results of students’ interaction)
·
Creative work (organizing summer language camps aimed at the
formation of the patriotic competence through the socio-cultural samples)
·
After school activities (meetings with the native speakers, different
parties, quiz shows)
·
Integral lessons ( involving the combination of the usage of all communicative skills, language
intuition)
·
Debating ( developing critical thinking giving possibilities to
use language with the practical aim)
·
Discussion clubs ( giving opportunities to experience different spheres
of life and get some knowledge about them)
·
Role playing ( stimulating of communicative skills, increasing
motivation through modeling situations of real communication)
·
Singing authentic songs ( developing socio - cultural competence, creating
positive emotions and feelings)
All these methods involve a lot of research on
statistics, demand creativity, acting skills for a role play etc. The
participation is based on individual skills, initiative, interest and love to
Ukraine.
2. Використання
міжкультурних зв’язків на уроках англійської мови.( Петрова А.Л, Миколенко Р.В.)
3. Виховання почуття
особистої безпеки та емпатії в умовах війни на уроках англійської мови. (Галата Л.В.)
4. Ведення шкільної документації (Волошин В.А.)
Було обговорнено
поняття академічної доброчесності, підведено
підсумки проведення II туру Всеукраїнської учнівської олімпіади з іноземних
мов та обговорені новинки методичної літератури
