- Aug 3, 2021
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Built in Minecraft: Education Edition, helps young learners practise their English skills while they have fun. It adds a different dimension to the learning, making learning English far more enjoyable
Minecraft is a hugely popular game where learners are presented with a wide-open world to explore with a lot of variety and different environments. Cambridge English are looking to harness some of those natural activities that they do in the game for language learning.
Students of all ages show increased engagement, improved retention through an active learning environment, better leaning outcomes and higher participation and achievements rates.
Unlike most games, there is something educational about Minecraft. Simply surviving your first night in the base requires creativity, organization and critical thinking. You are surrounded by a context rich environment so if you talk to someone within the game, they will not ask you a grammar question, they will ask you a question related to the context of the game specifically and that combines the benefits of the learning and the game.
Cambridge have built the game with a specific audience in mind, that of young children, who at that age have studied learning English recently. Cambridge English has a specific exam that caters to those children. These exams, just like the games, have a very limited range of vocabulary, that their researchers have identified as appropriate at that level and age. Cambridge believes that games have the potential to make learning fun.
With a focus on real-life communication and vocabulary skills, English Adventures with Cambridge helps develop skills at A1 level and above of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). Created by world-leading assessment experts from Cambridge in collaboration with Minecraft, children can learn new words, get creative and solve problems through the power of play.
Inspiring children to learn English at home, this Minecraft world can be played on desktop or tablet. It encourages learners to complete fun puzzles, meet new characters, and solve mysteries while they learn to use new words. Children can also repeat the game as many times as they like, so they can continue to develop new skills and build their confidence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvKI85Yb27c to learn more
Revising for and taking exams are an important part of any student’s life but they can easily get discouraged when faced with a heavy schedule. That is why it is vital for teachers to boost their confidence and motivate them by imparting knowledge on how to best prepare and manage their time when studying for exams. Here are some tips you share with them.
Give your students manageable goals
SMART goals help students make progress by being specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. They help students imagine what they want to achieve and – by breaking down objectives into steps – help them understand how they are progressing. Cambridge English Qualifications are designed with this in mind, and the regular goals motivate students to improve their skills step by step.
Use checklists to help support your students
Following on from SMART goals, it’s important to help your students take ownership of their learning and give them the tools they need to track their own progress.
For young learners, a goals checklist can be an effective way to help them focus on their goals, remember what they have done and reflect on their progress.
For lower levels, it might be helpful to write the goals and instructions in the students’ first language.
For teens or older students, you can use a more advanced learning plan to help them track their progress.
Use Cambridge English exam preparation resources
Students need to have a good understanding of the content, the exam format, the timing for each section and even how they will be assessed.
Make sure you help students practise in a number of ways – incorporating exam-style activities in the classroom, setting practice tests for homework and running a mock exam. You should also consider testing students on their knowledge of the structure and timings of the exams too.
Check in with students regularly
It’s always a good idea to find out how well your students are getting on with the activities you are doing in class. There are a number of simple resources you can use to help students feel supported and confident.
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