What You Say in English!

Because not everything is listening, reading or speaking. Writing also has a space in this podcast. Today, we’ll be looking at what makes a good review for Cambridge exams. I’m bringing three examples at three different levels: B2, C1 and C2. Also, I’m adding an extra review on the recent installment of Shazam! Fury of the Gods! Pay close attention to the vocabulary and expressions I’ve used and start building your own set. Download the 4 reviews below:

• Download the reviews on PDF.

Remember to follow me on TikTok and look for the different speaking tasks on my profile playlists.

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In today's episode of What You Say in English, we dive deep into part 4 of the listening exam for C1 and C2 students. This challenging task requires you to understand the gist of five short monologues and complete two parallel multiple-matching tasks. We break down the essential skills you'll need to develop, such as listening for gist, understanding context, and developing listening strategies. Additionally, we discuss tips and techniques to help you succeed in this demanding task. Finally, we provide a listening task for you to practice, ensuring that you apply the strategies and skills discussed in this episode. Tune in to boost your listening skills and get one step closer to acing the exam! All answers will be explained in the episode.

• Download the exam task

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For this episode, I wanted to commemorate International Women's Day, which took place this last March, 8. I've created a Reading and Use of English part 5 exam task. So, I know how much you guys like to just "listen" to the show, but this time, I want you to practice a little for your upcoming exam. If you've already taken it, then use it as a way to learn new vocabulary. Make sure you download the task, the answers and explanations, as well as the accompanying video I created for you. 

• Exam task
• Answer and explanations
• Video

If you're listening through Spotify, don't forget to leave a comment in the Q&A section.

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In this episode, I explore the use of artificial intelligence-powered tools like ChatGPT3 for improving writing skills for Cambridge exams. ChatGPT3 can provide instant feedback on grammar, vocabulary, syntax, sentence structure, and organization, as well as generate prompts and provide suggestions for improvement. It's a valuable supplement to traditional writing instruction and can help students build confidence and motivation. The use of AI-powered tools has made language learning more accessible, effective, and engaging. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative and effective tools to emerge.

Don't forget to download the full transcript here.

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Episode 17 of "What You Say in English" explores the topic of silent letters in English. The episode explains that silent letters in English are a way of preserving the history of the language and are often relics of the pronunciation of words in their original languages. The episode also discusses why silent letters are important for both pronunciation and spelling, and how phonics can be helpful in teaching children and English learners about silent letters. By understanding silent letters, English learners can improve their fluency and accuracy in spoken and written English. We also discuss some words for each letter of alphabet that contains such silent letters.

Download the accompanying PDF from here. There's a link in the document to take a quiz.

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This time I wanted to go back to analyzing other people's English. I've chosen Rosalia, the incredibly popular singer from Spain, to give people another role model they can follow. Despite some limitations, she's quite fluent. She showed great confidence and aplomb during this first interview in an American Late Night talk show. She had fun and let everybody know that she can handle herself just fine. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did when analyzing her English. 

Don't forget to download the interview notes and commentary from here.

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This time I wanted to go back to analyzing other people's English. I've chosen Rosalia, the incredibly popular singer from Spain, to give people another role model they can follow. Despite some limitations, she's quite fluent. She showed great confidence and aplomb during this first interview in an American Late Night talk show. She had fun and let everybody know that she can handle herself just fine. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did when analyzing her English. 

Don't forget to download the interview notes and commentary from here.

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In this episode, I delve into the topic of spaced repetition and its impact on vocabulary building. Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals in order to reinforce memory.

I discuss the importance of finding the right frequency of repetition and the fact that this frequency will vary from person to person, depending on factors such as prior knowledge, memory capacity, and available study time.

The episode covers common spaced repetition algorithms (SupeMemo, Anki and Leitner systems) and schedules and provides tips for incorporating spaced repetition into a study plan. I also emphasize the importance of using spaced repetition as just one tool among many for vocabulary building, and advise incorporating other strategies, such as using flashcards, reading, and writing, into a study plan.

Ultimately, I remind listeners that spaced repetition is not a magic solution for learning vocabulary, but a useful tool for making the learning process more efficient and effective. The key to success is consistent, deliberate practice, and experimenting with different spaced repetition schedules to find the one that works best for each individual.

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Today's episode is dedicated to everyone who is preparing for the IELTS, Cambridge exam (or any other English proficiency exam) on their own. It's a difficult road to follow, but filled with learning opportunities. I will give you here some pointers on how to start, what to consider, where to look for materials and other important things. I start by telling you what the possibilities are and the types of tests available, the importance of simulating the exam conditions, how to understand your results and how to deal with feedback, to finish with how to find reliable source material and create an effective study plan.

The websites I mention in the episode are:

• Weekly by Cambridge English (to create study plans for free)
• Mock Test Toolkit (from where you can get a lot more material)

Also, I want to thank Oscar from Argentina for such a heartfelt message. Remember to follow me on TikTok or drop me a line at [email protected]

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In today's episode, we're talking about the importance of active listening and note-taking for acing exams. Active listening is key for understanding the meaning behind the words and picking up on key information to take notes on. As for note-taking, it's important to find a technique that works best for you, like the Cornell Method, Outline Method, Mapping Method, Charting Method, Sentence Method, and Mind Map Method. Each one is suited for a different type of information and exam format. Remember to listen actively, take effective notes.

Don't forget follow me on TikTok for more tips and tricks on improving your English language skills.

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