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Digital technology and language learning

Quick & Cool Guide for Acing IB Spanish (For Teens) Know Your Stuff • The Basics: Get a grip on what your IB Spanish course (ab initio, B, or A) is about. What are the exams like? What kind of projects will you do? • Syllabus Sneak-Peek: Dive into the syllabus. Knowing what’s ahead gives you an edge. Gear Up with the Right Tools. • Past Exam Papers : Your crystal ball into the exams. Find them, use them, love them. Check out the IBO Store. • Apps & Websites: Use Quizlet for flashcards, Khan Academy for grammar, and switch your Spotify to Spanish jams. • Textbooks: Not just any book, but the one that comes with online codes and extra practice. Build a Study Strategy That Doesn’t Suck • Routine Over Random: Set a study schedule that doesn’t feel like a prison sentence. Short, daily sessions > Last-minute marathons. • Keep Skills Sharp: Rotate through reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities. Don’t let any skill get rusty. • Mock Exams: Practice with pas
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In the time of Covid-19

As a brief introduction, my name is Lorena Zurbano and I am an educator (originally from Madrid) based in London, with a background in research in language learning. A decade ago, when I first started this edublog, I was intending to switch my work as a school-based teacher/teacher trainer to language online tuition. Perhaps my studies as an online learner (MA in teaching Spanish as a foreign language) helped me to feel immediately comfortable in the new environment. More recently, 3 years ago, we were informed of the sudden closure of  my daughters’ school, and after some discussions we decided to give her a choice between all the options available locally and she opted for Home Education (not so much Home-based learning though!) alongside most of her school friends. I kept working online supporting Alevels and GCSE tests taking learners and in the system. One thing I learnt is that if you wish to pass a test then tutors or school may help, but if you want to become a profici

FAQ for preparing the DELE oral exam for 11-18 years old

I think the ideal way of starting this blog entry is by showing a sample of work of a DELE student. She recorded a presentation (task 3) where she describes an ideal school. I really loved the outcome and after asking for permission I am sharing this here as a good sample of the level required for the DELE escolar. If you can't view the video follow this  link The most fascinating thing about DELE escolar is that there is no way to train for it. Also, once the exams are performed and assessed all papers are destroyed so any textbook will need to 'guess' what the papers may look like! However, what we know is that the junior version of a B1 exam provides more time and probably fewer tasks. Oral test. Students will not know the exact questions before hand. They will know though that the main areas of interest are: experiences and aspects of their everyday life in relation to a certain topic: i.e. environment, social media, food, holidays, etc. The advanta

DELE escolar- DELE for Young learners

The DELE junior has been designed for the needs of younger learners (11-17) wishing to have an official recognition of their ability to communicate in Spanish, granted by Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport in Spain. There are many similarities with an IGCSE exam although the requirements for the Speaking and interaction test are much more challenging with just 20 min preparation time. This part of the test requires careful preparation.   Intro and first task Description of a photo (20 min preparation time).  The candidate will be asked a few questions often related to their experience as language learners as well as their family life that will help them relax and be prepared for the first task (this intro will not be assessed). For more details watch this youtube video that shows an example of the intro and first task: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25qbBChwOQ0&t=64s This Mind map shows possible questions for the intro

Sample of work- Letter

I am particularly proud of this sample of work. It comes from a learner that has only started the lessons in September, one hour per week. The learner is 15 years old, bilingual (Portuguese/English), and currently home educating and preparing for taking GCSEs in June 2018. It is the first time the student is taking Spanish lessons and started as a  complete beginner. What I really like in the letter shown below is the accuracy. The language is appropriate for the situation and purpose of communication. The learner uses what learns in other subjects (i.e. English lessons) and applies this confidently.  Tarea: Completa la carta. Paco, un estudiante de español, va a pasar unos días en tu casa.  Tú le escribes un carta y le hablas de tu familia.  Puedes usar este diccionario. Ej. http://www.rae.es !Hola, Paco! Muchas gracias por tu carta. Me alegra saber que vienes a mi casa el próximo verano. Mi familia es peque ñ a, somos tres.  Mi madre que se llama Toñi: e

Ejemplo de trabajo- Los verbos irregulares

Este es uno de los trabajos más bonitos del curso pasado. Lo realizó una estudiante trilingüe de 10 años y grabó la letra improvisando una música. No he conseguido subir el video, así que comparto las imágenes. ¡Disfrutadlo!

Sample of work- Part 2. Skype Interview devised by learner.

Introducción: Hola, me llamo ... y tengo unas preguntas. 1.¿Cuántos clientes trata por día? 2.¿Cuál es su horario? 3.¿Cómo son sus compañeros de trabajo? 4.¿Cuánto tiempo has estado trabajando como veterinario? 5.¿Qué tipos de animales puede t ​ ratar? ​ ¿cuál es el animal más exótico que ha tratado?  6. ¿Qué tipo de animal es más popular (en España)? 7.¿Tienes alguna mascota? 8.¿Cuál es tu animal favorito? ¿Por qué? ¿Y tu animal menos favorito? ¿Por qué? 9. ¿Qué tipo de animal es más popular (en España)? 10. ¿Qué es lo mejor de tu trabajo? ¿Y lo peor? Extensión: ¿Hay animales abandonados por la crisis económica en España? ¿Hay personas que ayudan a la protección de animales abandonados? Un placer conocerle y gracias por su tiempo