Writing Tasks, Grammar Topics, and Vocabulary by Level for English Learners

April 3, 2023 teacherjulietaLeave a comment

Writing is an essential skill for anyone learning a new language, and it’s no different for English learners.

Whether you’re studying English for work, education, or personal growth, improving your writing abilities is crucial for success.

Unfortunately, many learners struggle with knowing what writing tasks they should be able to complete at different levels, as well as the grammar topics and vocabulary they need to master in order to write effectively.

That’s why I’ve put together this table, which outlines the writing tasks, grammar topics, and vocabulary needed for each level of the Cambridge tests. Whether you’re just starting out at A2 (pre-intermediate) or are working towards C2 proficiency (high-advanced), this table will help you identify the skills you need to improve your writing and achieve your language learning goals.

Exam name	Level	Writing Tasks	Grammar Topics	Vocabulary	Specific Writing Task
A2 Key	A2 Pre-intermediate	Short messages and notes; Form filling; Informal emails or letters	Simple present and past tenses; Be, do, have, can, and other auxiliary verbs; Personal pronouns; Basic prepositions and conjunctions	Everyday vocabulary (e.g. family, hobbies, weather, shopping); Common verbs and adjectives; Basic question words (e.g. who, what, where, when, why)	Write a postcard to a friend about your holiday plans. Write a short email to your teacher asking for information about an assignment Write a short email to your friend telling him/her what you did on your last holidays
B1 Preliminary	B1 Intermediate	Descriptive texts (e.g. postcards, blog entries); Emails, letters, or reports giving information, opinions, and suggestions	Present, past, and future tenses; Modal verbs (e.g. can, could, should, would); Adjectives and adverbs; Relative clauses; Indirect speech	Common expressions and idioms; Academic vocabulary (e.g. education, environment, technology); Phrases for giving opinions and making suggestions	Write a letter to a pen pal describing your city. Write an email to a colleague about a project proposal. Write a short story using the narrative tenses.
B2 First	B2 High-Intermediate	Essays or articles expressing opinions or presenting arguments; Reports or reviews summarizing and evaluating information	Passive voice; Conditionals; Reported speech; Gerunds and infinitives; Phrasal verbs	Advanced vocabulary related to specific topics (e.g. politics, economics, culture); Formal and informal vocabulary (e.g. synonyms for common words); Technical terms and jargon	Write a report on the advantages and disadvantages of social media. Write a review of a book you’ve recently read. Write an essay arguing for or against the use of technology in education. Write a report evaluating the effectiveness of a new marketing campaign Write a review of a book or movie.
C1 Advanced	C1 Advanced	Discursive essays, proposals, or letters arguing a point of view; Reports, reviews, or critiques analyzing and evaluating complex information	Subjunctive mood; Complex sentence structures (e.g. cleft sentences, inversion, fronting); Conjunctions and connectors (e.g. however, despite, furthermore); Reduced relative clauses; Indirect questions	Advanced and specialized vocabulary for academic and professional contexts; Register and style appropriate to the audience and purpose	Write a formal letter to a government official addressing a social issue. Write an essay analyzing a literary work. Write a research paper on the effects of climate change. Write a report analyzing the impact of social media on society.
C2 Proficiency	C2 High-advanced	Essays or research papers on complex topics with an original thesis and well-supported arguments; Formal reports, proposals, or reviews demonstrating advanced research skills and academic rigor.	Advanced grammar structures (e.g. conditional perfect, passive with two objects); Complex noun phrases and sentence patterns; Discourse markers and cohesive devices; Register and style (e.g. formal and informal language, hedging, and mitigation)	Sophisticated and precise vocabulary appropriate for academic and professional contexts; Nuanced and idiomatic expressions; Terminology and jargon specific to a field of study or profession	Write a research article on a topic in your field of study. Write a professional report on a business proposal. Write a thesis statement for a masters/doctoral dissertation.

With this table, you now have a clear roadmap of the writing tasks, grammar topics, and vocabulary needed for each level of the Cambridge tests. Use it as a guide to focus your studies and improve your writing skills in English.

Remember, practice makes progress, so don’t be afraid to write, revise, and get feedback from qualified English teachers or tutors. With dedication and hard work, you can become a proficient writer in English and open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Cornell’s Note-taking Made Easy: Tips for English Learners

April 1, 2023April 1, 2023 teacherjulietaLeave a comment

The Cornell Note-Taking Method is a widely used system for taking notes that can be adapted to suit the needs of English learners. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using the Cornell Note-Taking Method:

Start by dividing your paper into three sections: the main notes section on the right-hand side, a smaller section on the left-hand side for questions and keywords, and a summary section at the bottom of the page.
During a class or while reading a text or listening an audio, take notes in the main section on the right-hand side. Write down key points, ideas, and details that you think are important.
Use the left-hand side to write down questions that come to mind as you take your notes. These could be questions about the material you’re learning, or questions that you want to ask your teacher or classmates later on.
In the summary section at the bottom of the page, write a brief summary of the main points you’ve taken notes on. This will help you review and remember the information later.
After the class or reading/listening session is over, review your notes and try to answer the questions you wrote on the left-hand side. This will help you solidify your understanding of the material.
Finally, use the summary section to review the main points of the lecture or reading, and to prepare for future assignments or exams.

Overall, the Cornell Note-Taking Method is a flexible and effective way for English learners to take notes and organize their thoughts. With practice, it can become a valuable tool for academic success.

Now that you know what the Cornell note-taking method is let’s see two examples:

Example 1:

Example 2:

Notes taken from an article about the most common writing mistakes that English learners make

Click the button to download a template for your classes

download PDF

FLUENCY

Affirmations for English learners

March 5, 2021March 29, 2021 teacherjulieta1 Comment

Do you feel that you can’t speak English well?

Do you think that you will never speak English fluently?

It’s time to change your mindset. Your mindset is your way of thinking and the opinion that you have about your learning process. If you have a fixed mindset, then you are not open to change or improvement. If you have a growth mindset, it means you are open to change; therefore, you can improve.

If you want to improve your English and speak fluently, you must have a growth mindset. Below there is a list of 6 powerful affirmations that will help you grow your mind.

1. It’s okay to make mistakes because I’m learning

There is no need to say that when we are learning to do something new, we often make mistakes. Actually, making mistakes is part of our learning process. Mistakes can teach us valuable lessons. So, next time you make a mistake, relax and say calmly: “It’s okay, because I’m learning English”.

2. My English level and my accent don’t define my intelligence

Some people really believe that the only way to prove that they are intelligent is by speaking a foreign language flawlessly. Your level of intelligence has nothing to do with your accent. Be proud of your English level and work hard to achieve your learning goals.

3. I’m open to learning from qualified and caring teachers

A caring and qualified teacher is the best person to help you improve your English. Many learners believe that native speakers are the only ones that can teach them “good English”. Guess what? Qualified teachers know how to teach good English, regardless of their nationality. Qualified teachers have to go to College to learn how to teach the language. On top of that they are constantly taking professional development courses to help their students learn better. They know what exactly you need to overcome your mistakes, fears and challenges in English. Instead of looking for a native speaker, look for a qualified ESL/EFL teacher and let them help you. You can find thousands of native speakers to speak with them online for free. However, they don’t know how to teach their native language, they only know who to speak it. They don’t know how to answer grammar questions and most of the time they make you feel more confused.

4. I can handle any challenge before me

Yes! If you work hard and practice a lot you will overcome any obstacle. You need to realize that learning a new language requires time and perseverance. Don’t give up!

5. I will not let self doubt control my learning process

It’s normal to have doubts, fears and anxiety when we learn a new language. However, you are strong enough to overcome them. You are the one who is in control of your learning process.

6. I will believe in my capabilities. I can speak English!

You can learn new things. You are free to choose and make the right decisions. If something is too difficult or too challenging, you are intelligent enough to make a plan. Maybe you will have to review your vocabulary lists or your grammar notes. Maybe you will have to do more listening practice or learn something you were supposed to learn before but you didn’t. You are strong and capable of doing great things. YOU CAN SPEAK ENGLISH!

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LEARNING TIPS

Best Gifts for English learners Under $30 Dollars

November 3, 2020March 29, 2021 teacherjulietaLeave a comment

If you are looking for a great gift for someone who’s learning English, you should consider looking for a language-focused present. Examples of language-focused gifts are books, audio-books, gadgets and games. These kinds of gifts are great resources designed to help students improve their skills, and enjoy their learning process.

Here you have a list of cool gifts for less than $30 CAD that English learners will love and actually use. These gifts are good for any occasions such as birthdays, graduations, Christmas or any other special holiday.