Steps to successful communication for young learners

Successful communication is key to a successful future for our young learners – in a social and an academic context. Language experts from Cambridge University Press explain in a webinar some of the barriers that may prevent young learners from speaking in the EFL classroom, and provide tips for overcoming these barriers.

The barriers that prevent speaking effectively may encompass not knowing enough language and not having enough chances to use it. How then can teachers help young learners overcome these barriers? They can do this by making the classroom a safe place; acting as a mentor and not as a judge; fostering collaboration and not competition; motivating students; building confidence with carefully graded language; using a wide variety of activities to counter boredom; creating lots of opportunities for speaking practice; and encouraging meaningful expression with personalized tasks.

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Planning Teacher Professional Development

What makes you a good English teacher? It is widely held that a good teacher has a sound knowledge of a variety of teaching techniques and activities; a good knowledge of English language; an ability to motivate students and to create a positive learning environment; and an awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses as a teacher. As teacher professional development is crucial to maintaining and growing this skill set, Cambridge English is providing webinars aimed at teachers interested in a programme of continuing professional development.

The webinar introduces the Cambridge English Teaching Framework to help you identify where you are in your career, and to help you think about where you want to go next. This includes discussions on Learning and the Learner, Language Knowledge and Awareness, and Professional Development and Values.

The webinar also introduces the Teacher Development Tracker Tool – an online programme for self-assessment to create a teaching profile and a development programme. Suggestions are given for a professional development plan that includes classroom experimentation, a reflection journal and a professional development log. It also provides a cycle of professional development which takes in analysis, evaluation and review of your development as a teacher. This is supplemented with advice on how to access Cambridge English online resources for professional development.

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IB students have better chance of attending UK’s top universities

According to an HESA study, students who take the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme have a 57 per cent greater likelihood of attending one of the top 20 UK universities than students who study traditional A Levels. They also have a greater likelihood of getting a 1st class honours degree; going on to study a postgraduate course; and earning a higher salary as a fresh graduate.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in England collected data in 2012 and 2013 to compare students entering UK higher education from the IB programme with students who did A-Levels. It found that 46 per cent of IB students won a place to study at a top 20 UK university compared to 33 per cent of A-Level students. It also found that 23 per cent of IB students were more likely to get a first class honours degree compared to 19 per cent of A-level students. 18 per cent of IB graduates were more likely to be employed in professional, scientific and technical activities compared to 13 per cent for A-level students. IB graduates who studied mathematics at university earned an average salary of £30,000 compared to £22,000 for A-level students who studied the same subject at tertiary level.

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