Exam Preparation

Preparing learners for Cambridge YL, KET/PET/FCE for Schools and IELTS without collapsing teaching into test practice. The organising idea is to use the criteria and past papers as diagnostic and teaching tools.

Where the sources disagree

• Washback: criteria-led teaching (Cambridge posts) vs the risk of performance-without-acquisition (The illusion of learning - correct answers are not acquisition). The resolution is to teach the construct the criterion describes, not the task format. (Claude)

Speaking

• Plan KET and PET speaking around the assessment criteria
• Assess speaking with exam criteria and official videos
• Fluency rests on memorised word-groups

IELTS

• Use IELTS practice tests diagnostically
• Bottom-up listening instruction alone is not enough

Young learners (Starters–Flyers)

• The silent period and listen-and-do
• Chants train stress-timed rhythm

Course design

• DELTA Module 3 reading list - exam classes specialism

More notes (by source)

A Journey in TEFL

• Shadowing - a ladder from echo to performance
  Cambridge English Teacher Resources
• Starters to Flyers - teach through meaning, know the format
  Cambridge World of Better Learning
• Start a Cambridge exam course from the handbook and word lists
  Clare’s ELT Compendium (Clare Maas)
• Teach the signals lecturers use to flag importance
  Collins ELT
• CEFR vocabulary labels - prioritise, don’t restrict
• Mock tests need a reflection routine
  Demand High ELT
• Prepare a bank of challenge prompts
  ELT Planning (Pete)
• Twelve conversation strategies worth teaching
  English with a Twist (Shanthi Streat)
• Going blank when speaking - compensation strategies
  Gianfranco Conti (The Language Gym)
• Diagnostic listening - find why an answer was wrong before re-teaching
  IH World (IH Teach English)
• Teaching exam classes - format, consolidation, shared responsibility
  Jamie Clayton
• Reading fluency - speed reading and repeat reading drills
  Tim’s Free English Lesson Plans
• Functional language plus a key-word transformation - Annoying Habits B2
  Visualising Ideas (Naomi Epstein)
• Look-alike distractors - train students not to word-match

Key terms (DELTA M1)

washback/backwash · construct · validity · reliability · band descriptors · assessment criteria (global achievement, interactive communication, discourse management) · teaching to the test vs teaching the construct

Open questions

• Read next: Green (2014) Exploring Language Assessment and Testing; the current KET/PET speaking teacher guides (official PDFs).