In this webinar, we examine how integrating audio-visual and digital resources into exam preparation classrooms leverages significant benefits in preparing students for standardised tests, such as IELTS. This multimodal content can enhance learners’ engagement, lexical awareness, independence, confidence and productive repertoire in preparation for the exams and future practical language use. Participants will explore insights and approaches that utilise these rich, authentic resources in exam contexts.
This webinar outlines significant principles for developing a less linear approach to exam preparation which raises learner engagement and achievement. By exploiting authentic digital media, teachers can introduce a set of core task elements that develop learners’ exam techniques. I’ll lead participants through activities that apply these elements to news-based resources, with examples taken from Sensations English..
Sensations English webinar for teachers May 2024 – Using digital resources in English language exam preparation courses
Gerald Smith is an English language teacher and journalist based in Glasgow, Scotland. As a journalist, Gerald has written about L1 discrimination, teacher professional development, and online tutor marketplaces for ELT. Gerald currently teaches at Glasgow School of English and the International Summer School for Teens and lives on a houseboat with their partner and two cats.
Gerald Smith
Sensations English lesson resources are great for today’s learners.
Sensations English was a finalist in the 2021 British Council ELTons award for Innovation in Learner Resources and won two British Council ELTons commendations! The first, for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, recognised the global and social range of our English learning content, covering contemporary issues and giving learners access to a wide range of issues and global English voices.
Secondly, we were the only winners of the British Council’s inaugural commendation for Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action! Our content covers such a diverse range of climate and sustainability content, opening learners’ minds to global issues and efforts to resolve them, giving learners the language to engage and raise their voices in this vital area of life.
How Sensations English works
Our lesson resources make equality, diversity and inclusion and sustainability a central element of language learning. We recognise learners as multi-competent speakers and multicultural citizens who are eager to share their ideas and engage with others on important topics in their lives.
The high-quality, global, news-based study resources take a person-centred approach, representing diverse cultures and identities across our seven learning themes. The wide range of video and article news reports includes interactive games and study tools that connect the issues with students’ language learning.
As all resources are graded at five levels (A2-C1), they make sometimes complex topics accessible to all learners. With Sensations English, it’s easy to explore language features and improve sub-skills using inclusive resources which also help to connect lessons to learners’ own situations and experiences. This helps learners to think about their own contexts and develop their own voices.
Click here to find out more about Sensations English Teacher’s Edition