It’s been good working with you all this semester - we’ve done quite a lot, but please remember (as I mentioned in class) that there is still definitely a lot of work to do to raise the level in preparation for being ready to do English II in May. By the time we start the second semester in February, there must be essential improvements both in language use in general (I really mustn’t be seeing so many ‘English I’-level grammar/spelling/syntax errors) and in dedication/regular study. We’ve done quite a lot this semester, but there is still lots more to do in preparation for English II – and we cannot do all of that in class, it needs to be done at home too.
Please remember, therefore, that between semester one and semester two it is essential that you continue to practise and use your English regularly and with dedication. That means studying new things as well as revising what we’ve been doing so far, plus reading, listening, speaking, writing and doing practice exercises too.
Don’t stop practising or it will be harder to start again next semester, and your level will deteriorate (rather than improve) in preparation for semester two. Remember – a language is something that needs constant cultivation with enthusiasm, attention, care and interest – like a sport, a musical instrument or a plant. Here are the main exercises which are to be done between the two semesters:
- Review what we’ve been doing so far this year (study and do related exercises).
- Review any other basic grammar that you should already know (see second year grammar programme in my file of teaching materials).
- Continue studying multi-word verbs (Unit 14 + see grammar programme / ‘dispensa’ for shorter list).
- Grammar book – units 12, 13, 18, 27.3, 30, 33
- Do the past exam reading and composition sections from January 2007 (see ‘dispensa’) and a past exam grammar test that you have not yet done.
- Continue reading the short stories – remember that you should read all the short stories and then prepare a certain number of them for the ‘accertamento orale’ (see course guide for further details).
- Write summaries of newspaper articles, also saying why you found them interesting (if you send them to me, please remember to send me the link to the original article too). Remember that this is also important exam preparation.
- Write about at least four of the eight themes (I’ve given you general topics rather than exam-style titles in order to give you a little more liberty, but please remember that academic writing guidelines apply):
- Sports
- A memory
- A topic/argument that you feel strongly about
- New technologies
- Society and television
- Multi-cultural society
- Transport
- Life in 2030
Have lots of fun – study, but relax too. Enjoy the holiday-time and good luck to those of you doing exams. Keep in touch (in English, of course – via e-mail or with comments on the blog) and please send me any work to be checked regularly - as you finish it, and not all in February.
Bye for now!
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