Have you got any questions? Ask them at your exam!

Knowledge is not driven by answers but by questions. 

So, have you asked a good question today?

We continue discussing the tasks of the Speaking part of our English Exam. What's next? A student has to ask five direct questions about a piece of information.
This is what Kira thinks about the second task:

Reading for Pleasure and ... for Exams.

There is an art of reading, as well as an art of thinking, and an art of writing.

                                         - Isaac D'Israeli
                                                           

The topic of exams has always been popular with our students. Now we know the new format  of the National Exam, which includes Speaking consisting of four parts.
Let's have a closer look  at each part and discuss its structure, requirements and skills to be assessed.
Dasha has chosen to speculate about the importance of the first part of the exam. We will be glad to hear your ideas about it.

National State Exam. Speaking.

Speaking used to be part of our National State Exam some years ago. Students had to speak on the topic (a 1,5-2 minute monologue) and communicate with an interlocutor (a 3 minute dialogue). The other parts - Listening, Reading, Use of English and Writing were the same. It has been decided to add Speaking to the exam next year (the students of the 10th grade should be especially excited).

Foreign Languages Help Study Other Subjects

Foreign Languages teachers are experiencing boundless enthusiasm about using new versatile media for teaching a target language. Modern pedagogical technologies are abundant in various approaches that make learning a language not only more effective but also more meaningful. One of such methodologies is Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). While educators are discussing all manifold advantages of using a foreign language for teaching other subjects, can we be sure that our students find this idea alluring?
This question seemed riveting to Dilyara, though she tries to explain why she is wary of such innovations.

UNIFORM FOR TEACHERS?

Have you ever thought about the effect that teachers' appearance has on educational process?
I'm sure that Dasha's speculations about uniform for teachers will make you interested in this topic.

FUTURE OF SCHOOLS

How will schools change in five-ten years? Have you ever tried to predict the future of our education? Do you want your children and grandchildren to be taught the way you are instructed today?
 Maria got interested in these questions and decided to speculate on this topic.        We'd like to hear your ideas and opinions about the future of our schools.

NEED A REMINDER?

Do you remember your first teacher? Was there a teacher in your life whose impact on you turned out to be so great that you can't help telling about it? I should have thanked my teachers more often. Now I realize it better that getting a positive feedback helps you draw inspiration for further progress and improvement.
We frequently talk about pros and cons of teaching.
Today Albina decided to invite you to take part in the discussion about one of the aspects of this profession.

Reflections and Expectations

The new school year has just started and we have already told each other about our adventures during our summer holidays. Now it's time to discuss our plans and expectations.Exams have always been one of the most important topics for students.
Vika shared her ideas about exams. What are your opinions?

Happy International Day of Happiness!

What makes you happy?
Are you happy? Well, now we have an official holiday to be happy! According to the resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations this holiday is celebrated on March, 20
Happy International Day of Happiness!
Since it's the first time the holiday is celebrated this year, there are no special traditions for it. Any ideas and suggestions? How would you like to celebrate it?

The Future of Books?

Once the invention of printing became a really great event in the history of our civilization and gave rise to a faster progress in all spheres of the modern society. Printed books have been the symbol of learning for many centuries, but now it's time for the new generation of books.
Watch this short video where software developer Mike Matas presents the first interactive didgital book for the iPad and demonstrates the options it offers for its readers.
What are your reactions and ideas about it? Do you fancy reading this book? Would you like to make predictions whether you're going to have such interactive books at school? What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of such books?
P.S. If you are interested in what is being done in this direction in Russia, you can check out this news.

DIGITAL LEARNING DAY

Living in the 21st century we're getting used to technology
 integrated in almost all spheres of our lives. Digital learning
 has become part of educational process. How has it
changed learners' and educators'
 lives? Are these changes positive?

I'm taking a Coursera MOOC E-Learning and Digital Cultures offered
 by the University of Edinburgh. And one of my classmates
 Madhura Pradhan created a video where students from the future
 time travel into the 21st century classroom.

Watch the video and share your impressions and ideas that it
 sparkles.

Future students by Madhura Pradhan on GoAnimate

Animated Presentations - Powered by GoAnimate.

HOW TO LEARN ENGLISH

What helps people learn English? Have a look at this interesting infographic representing the results of the research. Do you find it useful? What is YOUR favorite way of learning the language? You can try to create your own infographic on this topic and share it with us.

WILL PAPER DICTIONARIES BECOME OBSOLETE?

Almost all spheres of our lives are going digital. Print versions of one of the most important components of language studies - dictionaries - are going to be totally replaced by online ones.
Macmillan Editor-in-Chief Michael Rundell:
“Dictionaries have found their ideal medium. The traditional book format is very limiting for any kind of reference work. Books are out of date as soon as they’re printed, and the space constraints they impose often compromise our goals of clarity and completeness. There is so much more we can do for our users in digital media.” 
Watch the video representing the reasons for this substitution. Which would you opt for: online dictionaries or good old paper ones? What are the reasons of your choice?

Happy Pumpkin Day?

Halloween is not a traditional holiday in our country. Some people have started celebrating it in Russia recently and they believe that it's a positive tendency to borrow holidays from different cultures. While there are people who are inclined to think that it's not a good idea and they insist on observing and preserving our national customs and traditions. Which opinion do you support? And what are your reasons?

COLUMBUS DAY - A CONTROVERSIAL HOLIDAY

To Celebrate or Not
Today, Columbus Day is among the most controversial holidays in the United States. Some see Columbus as a hero, the courageous explorer whose discovery led to the settlement of North and South America. Others see him as a villain, a ruthless conqueror whose discovery led the the destruction of countless Native American people and cultures. (Quoted from http://www.theholidayzone.com/columbus/language.html) Which opinion do you support and why?