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.

Making the most of your time in Edinburgh

Welcome to beautiful Edinburgh! We're delighted that you've decided to study with us and enjoy our city but. most of all, we want you to improve your English!  You only have a limited time with us, so let's make sure you make the most of your time studying with ELA-Edinburgh.

Be Prepared

Come to class with a pen and a notebook for new vocabulary and grammar. It’s amazing how many students expect to remember language without writing it down. Sadly, most people do not have perfect memories.

ALWAYS record new language

Don’t be shy

Tell your teacher what you need and what you want to study. Be ready to give your teacher feedback on the lessons.

Move your cultural life into English

Remember that most language is learnt out of the classroom so one of the most important thing is exposure to the language. Learners who become fluent enjoy using English to socialise, read, watch TV or listen to music. Even if you don’t think you’re learning anything, your brain is busy absorbing and remembering.

Take advantage of the UK

Whilst in Edinburgh you will be surrounded by the English language. It’s difficult to understand all the new words and phrases you will encounter each day, but use the context to help you guess the meaning and don’t be afraid of making a mistake.

Use your teacher as a resource

Write down new words and phrases and check their meaning with your teacher.

Teachers love lots of questions!

Set yourself targets

When you study a new piece of grammar look for opportunities to use it; this could be just repeating it to yourself or fitting it into a context with familiar situations such as the daily life of your family or friends.  We want to see you produce it.  Imagine the satisfaction you’ll feel when you use the 3rd conditional perfectly!

Be Honest

When you don’t understand something or get confused please tell your teacher. Mistakes are good because we can learn from them and they give your teacher a better idea of how to help you.

Monitoring Student Performance

Proving to students that they are improving has always been a challenge for teachers and schools. However, there are ways to tackle this age old problem.

Entrance Tests

Before starting a course, students should take a short placement test to discover their level. However this kind of test is limited and to test productive skills we recommend students complete a short essay before arrival. Feedback can be given during induction on the first day. To complete the entrance tests, students should take a five minute speaking test and be given feedback on their ability at the start of their course.

Regular Testing

Whether it is weekly or fortnightly, regular progress tests and tutorials need to happen and the results stored for both teacher and student to refer to. This is also a vital opportunity for students to tell teachers how they feel about their classes and for the school to respond to changing needs.

Remember: your feedback matters!

Exit Tests

If possible, it is a great idea for students to do quick grammar, writing and speaking tests at the end of the course. This allows quick and simple comparison with the tests done at the beginning of the course. If all goes well, we should be able to prove to our students how much they have improved!

At ELA-Edinburgh we employ all of these tactics to give our students the best possible service. Judging from our happy students, it seems to be working!

Using Film in the Classroom

Here at ELA, we believe that variety is the spice of life. Learning, like all things,  can get boring if you do the same thing all the time. That's just one of the many reasons why videos are an important part of our eclectic approach. Here are some of the other factors that can make videos such a useful tool in the classroom.

An introduction to authentic material

We want our students to be exposed to as much English language culture as possible. By watching TV programmes and films in the original English version, learners are likely to pick up new expressions and hear a wider variety of accents. However, this can be intimidating and many students wrongly think it is too difficult for them. Introducing shorter, more manageable videos in a supportive classroom atmosphere can persuade students they are capable of watching longer videos at home.

For the Teacher

From a teacher's perspective videos can be tailored to every level from beginner to advanced. We can choose what grammar points to raise and what vocabulary to highlight as long as we plan in advance and watch the video ahead of the lesson! There are also lots of fantastic websites to help you incorporate film into your lessons.

Share critically acclaimed short-films with your students

For the student

Students often find videos a welcome change from the textbook and can understand vocabulary more easily as the video provides a natural context. Videos can also inspire incredibly student-centred activities where learners take their mobile phones out of the classroom to create their own videos.

One of ELA's Interactive smartboards

Technology plays a vital role in any modern ELT classroom. Our school is lucky to boast two interactive smartboards and internet access in every classroom. There really is no excuse not to utilise film!

A New Year's Resolution: Use Grammar Accurately to talk about the Future

Welcome 2018!  Welcome our annual promises about the year ahead!  It's the time of year to make resolutions about what we will do (or are going to do) in the next twelve months. But, as we all know, choosing the right tense to talk about the future is not always easy.

Popular resolutions

This week the teachers and students at ELA-Edinburgh have been making their own resolutions. Three of the most popular were
   * Cook a new recipe everyday
 * Spend less money
  *Walk to school

The problem is, what tense should we use to express these promises?

‘Will’

Most textbooks will tell you to use will (or future simple) for promises. If you somebody tells you a secret you might promise “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” As resolutions are a type of promise it can make sense to say “I will walk to school every day”.

‘Going to’

However, the most natural way to talk about resolutions is with ‘going to’. We use this tense to talk about plans, things we have decided to do. This means that “I’m going spend less money” sounds a lot more serious than “I’ll spend less money.”

What are you going to do in 2018? Tweet us @E_L_Academy to tell us your New Year’s Resolutions!!

Christmas Vocabulary Guide

Earlier in 2017 we brought you tips on learning vocabulary. Now, to help you enjoy/survive Christmas, we present ELA-Edinburgh's top Christmas vocabulary.

Re-gift

Have you ever received a Christmas present you didn't enjoy? Did you think about giving that same present to somebody else? This is re-gifting and, for many people, it is not socially acceptable.

Hogmanay /hɒɡməneɪ/

Don't come to Scotland without knowing about Hogmanay. It's our name for December 31st and all the celebrations that go with it. We take Hogmanay take very seriously. The rest of the UK goes back to work on January 2nd but not in Scotland. We need an extra day to recover.


Stocking Stuffers

In the UK, most children receive a stocking full of relatively small presents. Stocking stuffer has become a synonym for small, inexpensive presents that can fit into the stocking. But remember, even stocking stuffers can't be re-gifted!

Scrooge

Scrooge is one of the most famous characters from Charles Dickens, the author that had such a huge influence on British Christmas traditions. It's such a powerful character that to be called 'a scrooge' is a big insult. Scrooges are mean, miserable and don't enjoy Christmas.


Togetherness

The opposite of scrooge in many ways. Togetherness is the feeling of community and family that many people in the UK feel around Christmas. For lots of British people, it's a time when being together with friends and family is especially important.

Happy Christmas from all the team at ELA-Edinburgh!

The Schwa

Following on from our pronunciation guide, we bring you the most common sound in English: the schwa. The only sound in English with its own name, you will find the schwa in many, many words.

What is it?

The schwa is an unstressed vowel sound. This means that if a vowel is not stressed, it is probably pronounced as a schwa sound. You can listen to the schwa here.

Can you show me an example?

Say the word 'vegetable'  to yourself. And again. This is one of the most mispronounced words in English because learners want to pronounce every vowel. However in 'vegetable' the second 'e' and the 'a' are schwas, the only vowel that is fully pronounced is the first 'e'.

Why is this important?

Remember that, unlike many languages, English doesn't respect its vowel sounds. English speakers are lazy! We reduce, or just leave out, a lot of vowel sounds. This is why the schwa is so important. If you don't respect the schwa, you will mispronounce many words and your English will not sound as natural as it could!

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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