Intermediate Students
 

Hello. I have been teaching some teenagers who are I expect to be Intermediate level students. I have recently spent two lessons to learn more about what they want out of the lessons and how I could better prepare for classes. Furthermore, they are interested in taking a "Key English Test" (KET) to achieve more with their English. The problem I have is to prepare for classes suited for preparing students for this exam.

Does anyone know what is the best material to take KET Exam?

Where can I find free MP3's for listening materials such as examples in a restaurant, theatre, etc for comprehension among students in certain situations?

Finally, is there a website dedicated for the British KET? I have had a search but couldn't find out.

Re: Intermediate Students
 

Finally, is there a website dedicated for the British KET? I have had a search but couldn't find out.[/quote]

Yes -
http://cambridgeesol.org/exams/ket.htm

That page gives an overview of the exam, but if you click on the link to the KET handbook (sidebar bottom right) you can download sample materials for each component of the exam.

Re: Intermediate Students
 

Hi! So I did a quick google search and found a bunch of websites with basic info about what the test is like.
http://www.ukstudy.com/Show_Front.ph...ContentID=1004
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/ket.htm

The exam is administered by Cambridge U, so the Cambridge Press has a lot of old tests and prepared materials for sale, it seems.
http://www.cambridge.org/elt/elt_pro...asp?id=2500967
There's also a practice test at this next website, but it didn't work on my system so I actually have no idea what it's like.
http://www.examenglish.com/KET/default.php

In the meantime, you can get them started on reading/graphic comprehension with news/journal articles, travel sites, blogs, film reviews, and extracts from the types of books and short stories we read as high schoolers (like Lord of the Flies, Animal Farm, Rebecca), where the language is pretty simple (from what I remember) but they can get new vocab words too. This way you can still direct discussions to current events and other topics if you like.

Also, since part of the test is an interview, you might want to practice interviews by coming up with questions relating to their hometown, families, pastimes, vacations, and so on, for longer than the actual interview would last. Just make sure they're familiar with possible questions and variations (have them iinterview each other), and comfortable with coming up with details on the spot, especially without being asked. Pay attention to their spoken grammar, then you can structure targeted grammar lessons as you go along.

Anyways, I hope I could point you in the right direction at least. As for free mp3's, if you have iTunes, you can check out the English as a Second Language Podcast (I think you can look at www.eslpod.com too) or ESL Aloud for a few conversations/monologues, but I'm afraid those are the only ones I know of.

Re: Intermediate Students
 

Thank you so far for the websites you found relating KET Exams. I looked at the Cambridge ESOL Website when I started reviewing course structure with my students a few weeks ago. I printed out some info. for my students and read up on the sort of things that my students would expect in their exam.

Furthermore, it mentioned that the British Council in Seoul, Korea, is a provider for the KET Exam. However, when I contacted the British Council in Korea, they mentioned that they don't adminstrate the KET Exam at their centre. So, I fell at the first attempt with my students implementing a constructive yet practical lesson each day. But I would like to continue with a change of course structure for my students because they are lacking motivation to learn.

I spend about 1 hour 10 minutes a day with the students in the evening each day, Monday to Friday. Would a course structure concentrating at an area of study work each day (eg, reading Mon., writing Tues., speaking Wed., listening Thurs. then a review Fri.) or would it be best to spread this each week (eg, reading wk. 1, writing wk. 2, speaking/listening wk. 3 and review wk. 4)? I hope you understand what I am getting at.

I shall have a look at ESL Pod for some conversations or monologues to use within the class. I guess my next buy for my music shall be an iPod and connect some small speakers to them for my lessons. Anyone use an iPod yet for lessons?

I feel very tired though. It looks like I shall have to plan my lessons during the weekend for the following week as well as prepare my elementary/pre-intermediate students for their lessons. But less about my problems.

Thanks for the advice so far.

Martin

Re: Intermediate Students
 

Hi there Whistleblower.
You mentioned that the students were an intermediate level. If they indeed are then you might find that the KET is too easy for them and so a bit of a waste of time and money. They should go for the PET instead. The PET course I did this year went well. I used Ready for PET by Macmillan, which is a nice 45 hour PET preparation book.
Good luck

Re: Intermediate Students
 

Hmm, worth looking into. I suppose it should really boost the student's confidence if they know they have the ability to do well.

Thank you for the heads-up.