The CPE exam

There are a variety of exam options for learners of English. The market is full of exams from different providers. However, for highly advanced students one exam stands out: the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

ELA-Edinburgh is an authorised test centre for Cambridge English

The CPE is a C2 level exam, meaning it is suitable for near native level users. It is certainly a challenging exam and a genuine accomplishment for anyone who achieves this level in English.The exam features four papers designed to test all elements of English:

Paper 1- Reading and Use of English (90 minutes)

Use of English tests grammar and vocabulary

Paper 2-  Writing (90 minutes)
Candidate must write two papers and a total of around 500 words

Paper 3 - Listening (Approx 40 minutes)
4 separates tasks that will be played twice

Paper 4 - Speaking (Approx 16 minutes)
Candidates will do the speaking tasks in pairs

Once you have the CPE exam, it is valid for life and is proof of the exceptional level of English that you have reached. It will boost any CV in a competitive market.

Often candidates for the CPE have reached an excellent level of English through living and working in the UK over a number of years and need a qualification that will prove their skills. If this is your case, the CPE may well be your answer.

As a test centre for Cambridge English, ELA-Edinburgh will run the computer based CPE exam on July 14th, candidates will receive their result in justtwo or three weeks. For more information email info@elacademy.co.uk or call 0131 226 6182.

Paper or Computer?

For many people taking a Cambridge English Exam, the most important decision is whether to do the exam on paper or on computer. Here are some of the reasons why more and more candidates are taking Computer Based (CB) exams for KET, PET, FCE, CAE and CPE.

1) Listening.

Make sure your exam isn't hard to hear

One thing all candidates fear is poor sound quality in their listening exam. There are many stories of one pair of speakers for 100 candidates and a hall full of echos. With the CB exam each candidate has their own pair of headphones to ensure sound is crystal clear and at the perfect volume.


2) Writing

If you're worried that your handwriting isn't neat enough for the examiner to read the CB exam is for you. Setting out and organising your writing is a lot easier on a computer where you work automatically appears relatively neat and tidy.

3) Crowds

As every candidate must have their own computer in CB exams, numbers are limited so centres are less crowded and less stressful on exam days. It's an altogether less stressful way to sit your exam!

4) Results

We all know that waiting for exam results can drive you mad and with paper based (PB) exams you'll be waiting 4-6 weeks!!With the CB exam you'll have your result in around 2 weeks, a crucial difference if your entrance to university or job application depends on the result.

It's important to remember that PB and CB exams are exactly the same exam presented in a different way. The speaking format is identical for PB and CB. At ELA-Edinburgh our newly refurbished Exam Centre offers you great conditions for CB exams from A2 to C2.

Our newly refurbished exam centre

Increase your reading speed with a top-down approach

Time is your enemy in an exam.  The  Cambridge ESOL and IELTS reading papers both require candidates to complete many lengthy tasks in a severely limited time-period.  How can we make the most of our precious time?

A top-down approach is one technique that can be used to increase your ability to gist-read (reading for general understanding) as it allows you to make use of your pre-existing knowledge of a topic. 

Let’s look at a newspaper article.  Newspapers are wonderful sources of authentic content and should be read regularly to help increase vocabulary.  Before we even open the newspaper, we can make some assumptions about the story we are going to read:

·      *    it will have a clear headline

·       *   it will probably have a sub-heading

·       *  the opening paragraph will probably be an overview of what the story is going to be about

·        * there might be a picture it may be written entirely in the passive voice

Opening a newspaper, we may read a headline like:

Computer Firm’s Share Price Drops

As we read the headline, our mind is automatically associating the words we have previously absorbed on the subject.  It happens instantaneously.

Now that we have an idea of what the story could be about, we read the opening paragraph.  This should affirm our prediction and allow us to read the whole story relatively quickly as we combine the words on the page with the knowledge we have activated.

This means that if you have an idea where the story came from, it can help you predict something about the content.  This in turn allows you to train your mind into linking contexts with your own knowledge.

The message is clear and simple. Before you start reading, take a moment to make predictions about the text and allow your brain to start making connections. The time it saves you could be invaluable.

Contact us to see how we can help. 

info@elacademy.co.uk +44 (0)131 226 6182 

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IELTS Top Tips: Part 2

Following on from our IELTS Top Tips: Part 1 covering listening and reading, this week we bring you our guide to the productive sections of the exam: speaking and writing

Speaking

• Build a library

Collect your favourite phrasal verbs/idioms and make sure they can be used in a variety of contexts: e.g. describing likes and dislikes. Remember, you have a limited time to impress and it is vital you show off your knowledge

• Start your preparation early

Don’t leave speaking preparation till the end of the course. Start using your favourite expressions soon and try to use them every time you practise. The aim is for you to be able to produce a range of grammar and vocabulary that will impress the examiner and not seem forced.

• Use your voice

Don’t make the mistake of thinking pronunciation is only about vowel and consonant sounds. While accurate production is important you should also remember to change the speed and pitch of your voice to add emphasise, and enhance meaning.

Writing

• What’s true for speaking is true for writing

Like speaking, start your writing preparation early aiming to collect advanced grammar and vocabulary that you will be able to use in part 2. One possibility is to prepare a model for part 2 into which you can insert the details of your particular topic.

• Be practical in part 1

Remember that while part 2 is literary, part 1 is more scientific. You do not need beautiful vocabulary or a wide range of advanced structures to succeed here. Rather, ask yourself if a reader could recreate the graph/diagram/chart from your description. Focus on accuracy and detail.

• Tactics, tactics, tactics

You should be able to do well in writing as it is so tactical. Learn the rules and follow them. Pay close attention to the word count and most importantly: ANSWER THE QUESTION and resist the temptation to alter it to suit your interests or knowledge.

Contact us to see how we can help. 

info@elacademy.co.uk +44 (0)131 226 6182 

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IELTS Top Tips: Part 1

We all know what an important exam IELTS is, and many of our students at ELA-Edinburgh come to us with a target score for entrance to a British university.

For all IELTS students, here are our top tips for every section of the exam!

This week we tackle the receptive skills: reading and listening

Reading

• Read the questions carefully

There are many different task types in the reading section so don’t assume you know what to do!

• Underline the words that gave you the answer

Always check your answers before transferring them to the answer sheet. When you do this, ask yourself why you chose that answer. Look at the words you underlined and check you agree.

• Only take information from the text

It’s tempting to allow outside knowledge to affect your answer but remember the only relevant information is that in the text.

Listening

• Focus at all time

Remember listening is active and requires 100% concentration. It is hard work but switching off will cost you valuable points.

• Predict

Use the time you get before the exercises well. It is vital, especially in gap fill exercises, that you guess what could be in the gap.

• Keep calm

The exam writers are not your friends. They know you’re nervous and likely to put the first viable answer you hear. If you know the answer is a number, it highly probable there will be two or three numbers designed to confuse you.

Check the blog next week for our tips on the productive skills: writing and speaking

Contact us to see how we can help. 

info@elacademy.co.uk +44 (0)131 226 6182 

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Give Your CV a Little TLC

The transformation of English as the language of international business, in our global age, means effective communication has never been so essential.  

Studying a Business English course, for anyone wanting to keep up and take part in the modern world and workplace, can be a great advantage for personal growth and career opportunities. 

We’ve created a solution. 

Improve your language skills and showcase your achievement through our Business English course and BULATS exam at the end. Students can choose any number of weeks to study and can enroll on any Monday, choosing from full or part time hours. 

And, if you are unable to study consistently during the week, enroll on our evening and weekend courses to suit your schedule. 

The benefits of BULATS

• Exam is sat at the end of the course in school

• Results are given automatically in school

• Schedule the exam to suit you

• Prove your language expertise and skills - boosting your CV with a certificate 

With a decade in this industry, we understand that each customer has different needs and driving factors for wanting to improve their language skills. We are an experienced provider of tailored courses, to meet changing needs, contact us to find out how ELA-Edinburgh can help today. 

info@elacademy.co.uk  +44 (0)131 226 6182 

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New Evening and Weekend English Courses at ELA-Edinburgh

ELA-Edinburgh is excited to announce its new evening and weekend English courses, for all those busy people unable to study during normal class hours. If you want to improve your English for confidence, your studies, or for the work place this is the perfect opportunity to take your English language skills further.

Until June 2018, we are offering affordable part time classes with experienced English language teachers during weekday evenings and on Saturdays. With our school based in the heart of Edinburgh city centre, it’s an ideal location to find some time to fit in English lessons.

“ELA-Edinburgh is by far the most enriching experience I have ever had in terms of language studies. In this school, you will learn a lot not only grammar, useful English expressions, but also about Scottish culture. The staff is very welcoming and they always make sure you receive the best attention. Despite all the stereotypes you hear on the grapevine, Edinburgh is the best city in which you can learn English and what a better option than learning or improving your English at ELA-Edinburgh”

– Raul Melendez (ELA-Student, October 2016-March 2017)

Whether it is an English course in General English, Business English, Cambridge Exam Preparation or IELTS Exam Preparation, ELA-Edinburgh has something for everybody wanting to brush up and improve their skills.

We are offering 

Evening courses Monday to Thursday 6pm - 8pm or 

Saturday morning's at 10am - 2.30pm. 

Visit ELA-Edinburgh to find out more 

Or contact us by email dos@elacademy.co.uk or phone 0131 226 6182

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Introducing IELTS

There can be no doubt; IELTS has largely cornered the market for universities and visas. It’s a safe bet that if you want to study in the UK, or move here from the outside the EU, IELTS will help you on your way.

IELTS is recognised at universities and governments all over the world. In the UK it is one of only two exams recognised by UK Visas and Immigration. Students; IELTS will help you get your tier 4 visa to come to the UK and enjoy our fantastic colleges and universities. Remember that ELA is always happy to arrange short term Visa and TIER 4 Visa letters for candidates who qualify for them!

Clearly IELTS is more important than ever. So what is it????

Unlike most other exams IELTS can be taken by students of various levels, the exam is designed to evaluate a range of abilities. As such there is no pass or fail; instead there are bands from 1.0 to 9.0, with half scores also possible. You can see how it compares with the Common European Framework below:

IELTS tests the four skills of reading, listening, writing and speaking. Most candidates are relieved to find there is no grammar section! You also have the luxury of choosing from General or Academic IELTS, though the vast majority of people take the academic exam as it’s what universities and colleges want. Although the language in IELTS reading and writing can be quite formal there is plenty of room to produce phrasal verbs and idioms in the speaking! Just remember not to beat around the bush!!!

At ELA we have had a decade of teaching IELTS to highly motivated students. We have had the pleasure of seeing countless students from all backgrounds achieve the score they needed to progress in their academic or professional lives. As teachers this gives us the kind of job satisfaction that keeps us motivated!

We have a library stuffed with IELTS materials

• Various different course books
• Official IELTS practice tests
• Listening materials
• Interactive smartboards in classrooms
• Writing and speaking guides
• Vocabulary books

All of these resources are put to good use by our experienced teachers to make sure you’re given support in the areas you need. At ELA you can study for five hours a day. In the morning (9-1230) you’ll focus on expanding your language skills as well as academic English. In the afternoon you can produce the language you’ve learnt in our IELTS course (1330-1530.) Longer-term students will have regular tutorials with our director of studies, who will keep an objective eye on your progress.

If you’re ready to take on the challenge of IELTS then we’re ready to help. Contact us at dos@elacademy.co.uk to get started!