Student magazine 6th edition

October 2017

BRITISH COUNCIL

STUDENT MAGAZINE Doctor IELTS the man with the answers

www.britishcouncil.co

What we do

find out more about our activities

Who we are

Meet our teachers and staff behind the scene

6th Edition

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 2. Welcome!

3. Getting to know your teachers 4. Three million IELTS a year 6. Doctor IELTS the man with the answers 7. EDI Book Club 8. Student profile 9. Film vouchers and competitions 10. Beyond the classroom: Angy Herrera, ELT placement Coordinator 11. Paula Hawkins / British Cider

A WARM WELCOME FROM SEAN & JAMIE

Dear all new and returning students– welcome to the latest edition of the Student Magazine!

As ever, it’s been a busy few months at British Council Colombia and there’s a lot more to follow in the coming term!

Last term we had a visit from British author Paula Hawkins, who’s wrote the international bestseller “The Girl on the Train”. It was a good opportunity for our students at the Book Club to meet her, ask questions and get their book signed. We were really excited to have talented authors visit Colombia and meet our students and we hope to arrange more visits in the future (Paula was also impressed with the English level of our students J).

We also held a Cider tasting event with the student social committee (that’s a traditional British drink made with apples for those that haven’t tried it yet) which had over 50 people in attendance, so thanks to everyone who came down to make it a fun evening. We’ll be running more events soon, so keep your eyes open on the noticeboards for what’s coming up. We want to get as many students as posible involved in organising these events, so if you’re interested please email: servicioalcliente@britishcouncil.org.co.

competition

This term, we have our global CEO visiting Colombia to attend the “One Young World” summit in Bogota on the 4th- 7th October, along with former Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan. This is an annual Summit where the most valuable young talent from global and national companies, NGOs, universities and other forward-thinking organisations are joined by world leaders, acting as the One Young World Counsellors. At the Summit, delegates debate, formulate and share innovative solutions for pressing issues faced in Colombia and around the world. From the British Council’s point of view, it’s always good to have Bogota hosting events on the global stage!

and winners

Anyway, we wish you good luck with your studies in the coming term!

12. English at home / Tips for learning 13. IELTS calendar 14. Monthly madness 15. Crossword

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British Council Student Magazine

TEACHER INTERVIEW

ANDREW KERN Where exactly are you from?

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Well, I was born in Los Angeles, California in the United States but when I was four years old we moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where my parents are from, and I grew up there. Indianapolis is a city in the Midwest region of the U.S. with a population of almost a million people. It’s best known for car races and for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar race in particular.

I love watching movies; I’m maybe a little too addicted to Netflix. I also go to the gym a few times a week. I used to play rugby but I repeatedly injured my knee while playing so I don’t anymore. On Sundays, me, my wife and our pug go out to the Ciclovia either by bike or walking. And I spend a good amount of time reading about English teaching and finding new activities to use in class (it’s sad, I know).

What do you like about your job?

When you teach, learn or use a language, you’re bringing people, and the world, together. Humanity progresses in large part when people take the time to get to know each other and understand each other. We cross cultural and linguistic barriers each day in a language classroom. That’s probably what I love most about the job. Plus, I get to play games and have fun with the students! What’s not to like about that?

British Council Student Magazine

What do you miss about your home country?

I miss my friends and family most of all. Indianapolis isn’t the kind of place that a person misses when they leave it. But it’s the people in your life that, of course, it’s hard to be away from because they make life what it is. So that’s difficult.

I’d say that and the food. Baby back ribs, good sandwiches (NOT Subway), BBQ pulled pork, even meatloaf, and the list goes on. When I go back home, I plan all my social engagements around eating food I can’t find here.

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Over 3 milliom IELTS test taken in the past year

IELTS NUMBERS RISE TO THREE MILLION A YEAR More than three million International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests were taken in the past year, reflecting the growing importance of the world’s leading test of English for international higher education and migration.

IELTS is the most widely used test of English for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. It is recognised by more than 10,000 universities, schools, employers and immigration bodies, including all universities in Australia and the UK and many of the leading institutions in the USA. Established in 1989, and jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment, IELTS is now a household name in many countries around the world.

Warwick Freeland, Managing Director at IDP IELTS Australia said: “IELTS opens doors for millions of

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people every year, helping them to study abroad, migrate to English-speaking countries or take advantage of the growing need for English in professional life.”

The success of IELTS rests on the high quality of the test, which measures the four key languages skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing. It is backed by dedicated research teams in the UK and Australia, and administered by centres in more than 140 countries around the world.

James Shipton, Head IELTS at the British Council, said: “The continued growth of IELTS that we’ve seen around the world is testament to the popularity of the test with test takers, and to the trust that organisations place in IELTS to provide scores that are a reliable indicator of a person’s ability to communicate in English.”

British Council Student Magazine

Want to know more about IELTS? IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration with over 3 million tests taken in the last year. Over 10,000 organisations trust and accept IELTS as a secure, valid and reliable indicator of true to life ability to communicate in English for education, immigration and professional accreditation. IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

IELTS USA is the American division of IELTS located in Los Angeles, California, responsible for US stakeholder relations, as well as the management and delivery of the IELTS test centre network throughout the United States.

Test takers are measured in listening, reading, writing and speaking. All tests are scored on a banded system from 1 (the lowest) through to 9 (the highest band).

needed for an academic, higher learning environment. The tasks and texts are accessible to all test takers, irrespective of their subject focus.

IELTS General Training measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The tasks and texts reflect both workplace and social situations. IELTS General Training is suitable for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and Ireland.

IELTS offers a choice of two test versions, to serve both academic and non-academic purposes. IELTS Academic measures English language proficiency

A sample of government and profesional associations who recognise or require applicants to hold an IELTS test result include:

About the test



Citizenship and Immigration Canada



Australian Department Border Protection



UK Visas and Immigration



Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and National Council of State Boards of Nursing, USA



International Monetary Fund

of

For further information, takeielts.britishcouncil.org

British Council Student Magazine

Immigration

please

and

contact:

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Doctor IELTS is here to help you with your IELTS-related questions.

DOCTOR IELTS Doctor IELTS has been diagnosing exam-related problems for several years but wishes their identity to remain anonymous.

How do improve my fluency in the speaking part of the IELTS exam?

A good technique to help improve your fluency in the speaking part of the IELTS exam is pick a topic that has come up in previous IELTS exams and record yourself talking about that topic for 2 minutes on your smartphone or a recorder. Then listen to the recording and make a note of any mistakes and areas where you were hesitant. Next repeat the process, trying to improve on your mistakes and reduce the number of hesitations. You will notice that with each subsequent recording your fluency will improve. For a further challenge, you could try to reduce the time limit with each subsequent recording, which will mean you have less time to say the same information.

What is the best strategy to answer the academic IELTS Writing Task 1 question?

This question either involves describing a graph or describing a process, so it is good to prepare for 6

both, although the graph questions are more common. What gives student a lot of difficulty is the language that is necessary to describe data, describing increases and decreases. You will need to be able to describe line graphs, bar charts and pie charts.

The webpage http://www.dcielts.com/writing-2/ academic-task-1/ contains some useful language for describing these.

Also, the website http://ieltsliz.com has an excellent video in which she explains how to write an answer to the academic IELTS writing task 1 successfully.

This is found under the section Writing Task 1 (http:// ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/). Liz demonstrates the technique using a past paper question and gives a model answer. She covers the whole process, starting with reading the question and interpreting the information, moving on to writing the essay and including useful language.

British Council Student Magazine

EDI The Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is launching our first book club in order to engage our staff and students with themes of equality, diversity, and inclusion. In the month of October, the UK will celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month aims to remember the African diaspora, which is historically related to slave trade and has more recently become linked to migration. BHM also celebrates the achievements of individuals of African descendants and their contributions in a variety of fields, as well as traditions and cultural expressions of the African continent.

We would like to invite you all to read and discuss Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Americanah”.

All of these sentences are grammatically correct with respect to their own dialect or language variation. The ones that you’re not completely familiar with come from most African American English and Jamaican Patois. Here’s where the unconscious bias comes into account. Why did most of you highlight the Standard English examples? Basically, most of us have linked the standard to correctness by grading all other examples to language variation to that of the grammatical rules of Standard English. Well according to Dr. Hudley, author of Understanding English Language variation in U.S. Schools, she says that “standardized English is the language of education, commerce, and social prowess in the U.S. and everyone should learn the standardized variety, and non-standardized varieties should only be used in limited settings, such as at home.”

We can all agree that standardized language helps provide a benchmark in language learning and communication, but we may have differing ideas on how language may represent ourselves and others.

Here are a few examples of how language connects so well to our identity and behaviour.

Aside from launching the new EDI book club, we are also exploring “unconscious bias” - the attitude or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.

What examples below are grammatically correct? Highlight the ones you think are correct: 1. What's she cried?

2. We'll schedule a meeting next week.

3. What's the matter with you?

4. What you want from me?

5. He'll arrive tomorrow.

6. She be screamin at me all the time.

7. He think he the best.

8. She's been working for 12 years.

9. Wey iz dat boy?

10. Be sure to pay attention to the grammar.

British Council Student Magazine

There was a survey mentioned in “Articulate While Black” was made to discover how people felt when being described as “articulate”. What we found that most native English speakers found it to be a bit patronizing, saying that those who gave this remark had assumptions and expectations of them that were low to begin with. With non-native English speakers, most interpreted it as a genuine compliment and it reaffirms how far they’ve come in their language acquisition. Language isn’t a matter of morality (right and wrong). Rather, it would benefit students to also understand that the reason that language is so malleable is because it reflects its speakers that engage with a growing and evolving culture.

Justin Willis – British Council Teacher Colombia

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STUDENT PROFILE

From Elementary 2 to Advanced in less than 3 years.

Is it possible?

By: Guillermo AndrĂŠs RodrĂ­guez

I started studying English in January, 2013. Having decided to study a Ph.D. in psychology, I was forced to learn the language in a serious way. I can remember clearly that my first level was elementary two. At that time I had to make progress in English as fast as possible because I had to achieve a B2 IELTS score in two years. Was it possible to do it?

Believe it or not, I was ready to start my first advanced level in June, 2015 (and I was able to get B2 in the academic IELTS).

Each time I tell this story, people tend to ask me about the method I used, so as to reach this level in two and a half years. Let me say that learning a foreign language is a matter of practice. You have to be in constant contact with English even if you are living in a Spanish environment. Without question,

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watching TV in English, reading books, writing down expressions, collocations, examples and quotations that contain complex grammatical structures, are activities that every student can do, in order to gain the knowledge they need to feel English as a part of everyday life. As you might guess, I jumped three or four levels due to the progress I had made when I was in pre-intermediate and intermediate level.

Be responsible, and check your notes every single day!. Avoid being lazy!, English is everywhere. By combining your regular courses with autonomous work you will be able to see that your English begins to get better in leaps and bounds. Just do it!

British Council Student Magazine

THE JOURNEY VOUCHERS

Get your discounted vouchers from October 12th onwards, in any of our branches.

CHURCHILL COMPETITION WINNERS

British Council Student Magazine

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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Angy Herrera, ELT placement coordinator Tell us a bit about yourself.

I mostly enjoy spending time at home, I guess because I came from a large family (4 siblings) so, I love to spend time with them and a couple of friends. I consider myself kind of geek, I even attend the SOFA –Salón del Ocio y la Fantasiaevery year and really enjoy watching anime. I hate dancing and I love animals. I have a dog, ´my daughter!´ named Holly whom I take everywhere with me. :) What does your job involve?

I am the English for Higher Education Coordinator at the British Council. So basically I am involved with carrying out the process for Colombian students who want to study English in the UK. I offer advice to prospective students seeking to shape their English language skills to suit their personal or professional needs.

My role aims to strengthen the relationship between Colombian students and British Culture as well as set the UK as the top quality destination to study English. A good example of this, is our current group for adults who are going to visit Northern Ireland in October, which includes an amazing academic package and the opportunity for students to learn about Irish culture and enjoy exciting activities such as the Game of Thrones tours!.

What’s the best thing about your work?

I love the fact that I can help students to accomplish their dreams of studying and living overseas. There’s nothing more rewarding that helping people to achieving their goals whilst they enhance their cultural exchange and making memories and friends for life. I work to help people 10

achieve their dreams, what could be more rewarding than that!?.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love playing videogames, I think it’s a great way to enhance your coordination, imagination and creativity. On the other hand, although I’m not really into sports, I like cycling once in a while in my free time.

I also like watching movies and listening to British music, I especially love the Beatles and going to concerts and museums and visiting new and exciting cities which you can also do on our Beatles Two to Four Week English Course for Adults in Liverpool UNESCO world Heritage site and Birthplace of the Beatles!

If you want to join our group, please send an email to ELTPlacement@britishcouncil.org.co.

British Council Student Magazine

IN COLOMBIA

From Left: Paula Hawkins, Author; Alejandro Rubiano, Customer Relations Manager; Julian Neale, Teaching Centre Manager, Patricio Herrera, Teaching Centre Marketing and Communications Manager.

Photo: Juan Esteban Ortiz CĂĄrdenas

As part our Cultural Event programme at the British Council Colombia, and in order to tell our story, in a more integrated audience facing approach beyond the classroom, we hosted and event with Paula Hawkins – author of the best seller The Girl on The Train on the 25th of August. The event was part of the #MujeresConflictivas tour, led by local publishers Planeta, and consisted in a Q&A session from students and staff, followed by signing of her new book Into the water.

BEHIND BRITISH CIDERS Teachers and students having fun and learning about cider. There was cider sampling, history of cider, brewing process and types and a cider quiz competition.

Keep and eye out for our next events!

Event sponsored by:

British Council Student Magazine

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TIPS FOR LEARNING Watch films and television shows in English One of the best ways to improve your listening skills is to watch your favourite television series and films in English. If you find the film or show difficult to understand, put on subtitles in English. If you have Netflix, there are many television shows and films which let you change the language and subtitles to English.

Listen to music in English Listening to music in English is something that you can do at home or on your commute to work. It improves your overall listening ability and will also help expand your vocabulary. You can also find the lyrics of your favourite song on the internet and look up any words you do not know in a dictionary, so that you can fully understand the song when you next listen to it. Check out: https://lyricstraining.com

ENGLISH AT HOME vocabulary lists related to irregular English verbs to common Intermediate English words. To learn the vocabulary, the website provides multiple choice questions and users match the words to the definitions. It adds up your total score and you can compete with other users. You can even make your own course from the new words you have found in class.

English interactive

Website of the month An excellent website to expand your vocabulary is www.memrise.com. This website provides a fun and easy way to learn vocabulary. It allows you to create your own account and join courses with different vocabulary lists. These range from

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The British Council Learn English Grammar app is a great tool to improve your grammar. It includes questions at Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced levels. There are 12 grammar topics and a variety of different question types, such as fill -in-the-blanks, reordering words and labelling to ensure there is variety. You can use this app to revise the topics covered in class or you could spend at least 10 minutes a day practicing new grammar topics.

British Council Student Magazine

CALENDARIO IELTS

CALENDARIO IELTS UKVI

British Council Student Magazine

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MONTHLY MADNESS JOKE OF THE MONTH “I’m not a fan of the new pound coin, but then again I hate all change.”

From Ken Cheng, voted the funniest joke at the Edinburgh Fringe festival 2017.

IDIOM OF THE MONTH

‘Hit the sack’ It means go to bed.

“I’m very tired, I’m going to hit the sack.”

“It’s a been a long night, I’m ready to hit the sack.”

“It’s getting late now, let’s hit the sack.”

Do you have a similar expression in your language?

SPANGLISH, SPANISH SPEAKERS OFTEN SAY: Many Spanish speakers say “present” when talking about exams, for example: “I want to present the IELTS exam.”

“I’m going to present the TOEFL exam”.

These are incorrect, you should say “take” for example: “I want to take the IELTS exam.”

“I’m going to take the TOEFL exam”.

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British Council Student Magazine

STUDENT CROSSWORD COMPETITION! ...Fill in this crossword, and hand it in at reception for the chance to win a mystery prize*! *Terms and conditions apply.

Name: Level: Branch: Student number:

Claudia, winner of our 4th crossword competition, receiving tickets for The National Theatre Live.

Congratulation to the winner of the our 5th crossword competition: Ingrid E. Puentes V. / Intermediate 4 / Salitre

British Council Student Magazine

Answers from previous crossword Across 2. go away 5. pencil 7. lost 8. missed 10. traffic lights 15. snakes 16. necklace 17. present 18. diamond

Down 1.earn 3.understood 4.magician 5.Polish 6.playing 9.classical 11.told 12.butter 13.haunted 14.quiet

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VISIT OUR BRANCHES Nogal Main Centre, Carrera 9 # 76 - 49, piso 5

Cedritos Colegio Anglo Colombiano, Avenida 19 # 152A - 48

Salitre Business Centre, Calle 26 # 57 - 83, Torre 7, Piso 5

Niza Montessori British School, Calle 128A # 72 - 59

Telephone: 325 9090

Email: servicioalcliente@britishcouncil.org.co

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