Category Archives: EFL exams

New grammar for IELTS page

Posted on 09/04/2019 by alexcase

New article, new worksheets, old worksheets and places for upcoming worksheets on the most vital grammar points for IELTS on my new page on the topic here: IELTS grammar page

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Updated guide to Cambridge Proficiency books

Posted on 05/03/2019 by alexcase

I’ve recently been researching the next book for my Cambridge CPE class and found that all the info online is out of date, so thought I’d summarise my findings here. I also have my own C2 Proficiency e-book here and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge Proficiency | 7 Comments

More bad IELTS tips

Posted on 18/02/2019 by alexcase

I recently published a list of 32 bad IELTS tips. That seemed like a lot, but then I remembered even more bad advice from textbooks, websites and students which I think is worth a mention. Would love to hear other people’s ideas too. … Continue reading →

Posted in IELTS | 3 Comments

FCE Speaking Part Two teaching materials section expanded and reorganised

Posted on 12/02/2016 by alexcase

Possibly the most difficult part of Cambridge First Certificate Speaking and certainly the weirdest (“I’d like you to compare the two photos” “Why???), now made much more manageable and fun: FCE Speaking Part Two games, photocopiables and videos

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EFL characters

Posted on 20/11/2014 by alexcase

I can’t find any trace online of it now, but when I first posted this I swear it linked to a robot character representing IELTS. Honest! That wouldn’t be the first EFL mascot, with even people who had no interest in … Continue reading →

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Have Something Done activities page just added

Posted on 29/09/2014 by alexcase

Couldn’t find much good stuff online, but have added five useful links to my own speaking games on the topic, one that Cambridge FCE examiners love for some reason: New have something done page

Posted in Cambridge First Certificate, Passives | Leave a comment

Does IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 need a conclusion?

Posted on 01/09/2014 by alexcase

Opinions on this vary a lot. I have a quite strong and clear point of view on it, but not being an IELTS examiner I still have enough doubt about it that I’d like to hear other people’s thoughts. First of all, … Continue reading →

Posted in IELTS Writing | 5 Comments

TOEFL to improve high school English?

Posted on 29/07/2014 by alexcase

The British government has finally learnt its lesson about dealing with ETS after many cock ups including the recent big fraud which means that TOEFL can no longer be used for immigration purposes, but that’s not stopping schools in Japan: … Continue reading →

Posted in ETS, Teaching English in Japan, TOEFL, TOEIC | Leave a comment

IELTS Academic review lesson plan with classroom materials

Posted on 04/07/2014 by alexcase

Materials One copy of most of the worksheets below per student Cut up copies of some of the worksheets below, sometimes one per class but usually one set per group. One dice by group. At least one of each type … Continue reading →

Posted in IELTS | 4 Comments

Loadsamoney for researching testing

Posted on 09/09/2013 by alexcase

Cambridge are offering up to 15,000 pounds for researching their tests, and the British Council has a whole bunch of awards and prizes of up to 17,500 pounds for similar research, although in their case they don’t say it has … Continue reading →

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