The nuts and bolts of the CAE exam...

It has been a while since I last wrote a post. As you already know last time I was talking about whether to resume my college studies or take another international exam and be done with it. For now, I am leaning more on the possibility to take the CAE exam. Not only would it take less time, but it would also help me to shore up my weaknesses, which are not many (modesty aside), in the English language.

 

First off all, the CAE is a C1 type of test; which equates to an advanced level examination. Consequently, the preparation needed for this test must be done at least four months in advanced, and has to be detailed and specific. Personally, when push comes to shove, I could  always take the course so as to secure a pass. For instance, I have heard of five-month programs which prepare for the exam successfully and tackle all the skills at once.

 

Why should I be this worried though. Why am I not unfazed by the strong possibility of taking this test. Well, given the fact that I consider myself out of practice (Passed the ECPE exam back in 2012), due to not having been in contact with this kind of exams for quite a while now. Not to mention that the thought of failing the exam niggles me constantly. Thus, I feel it incumbent upon myself to make the right decision.

 

Lastly, am I sure that if I stick it out until the end of the preparation course, will I have procured a pass for sure. Be that as it may, will it not be that easy. Hence, the need for me to take it as seriously  as possible so as to ensure successful results.

P.S. I have attached a video which gives a concise explanation of the nuts and bolts of taking the CAE

Is college worth it?

Last time I talked about how imperative it had been for me to stabilize myself at work and the steps I took so as to accomplish it. This time however, I will be talking about the possibility of getting back to college. Not to mention that I will tackle the pros and cons one by one.

 

Right after I dropped out of college, I pulled myself up by my bootstraps by joining an Anglican church and getting a stable job as an English teacher. Be that as it may, I still had that bitter feeling of having somehow failed to make good of the promise I had once made myself to finish up my degree. First of all, I would say that earning a degree in education would mean making more money for sure due to having a higher status. Needless to say that I would belong to a more prestigious organization than the one I already do with way more benefits and opportunities.

 

On the plus side, I do not really need to have a degree to perform the job I do. With a few international exams and a couple of methodology certifications under my belt, I have more than enough skills to work proficiently without any inconvenience. If I wanted to have a higher income, all I need to do is to pass a few more international exams. That way I would not need to spread myself to thin by juggling different activities. Hence, there should not be the need to vacillate on the matter.

 

In review, am I having a hard time deciding whether I should get back to college or not. All I know is that I am not getting any younger and that I have rebuffed more than a few suggestions that I should go back. Not that I want to shirk from my responsibilities, nor am I closing my eyes to the problem. Still and all, it seems hard to make up my mind regarding this matter. Sooner than later, I know I will make the write decision. Before I go though, I just have to make sure that I smooth out this writing.

How to write an effective essay

Am I starting to get back into the swing of things. Albeit, there are still a few loose ends that need tying up. For instance, the fact that I have been given only one class to teach thus far raises a compunction in me about having left for a couple of months. Be that as it may, the aforesaid is not the main topic of my post. In the following, I am going to talk about essay writing and why it is important to have a daily habit of reading and another of getting out there and experiencing new things.

 

Reading (especially in English) is a habit I developed ever since I moved to Canada five years ago. Even though I only spent one year there. Something I took away from my stay was to have honed my reading skills back there. To illustrate my point I would say as follows: Regardless of the fact that you might grow vicarious pleasure in the content of the novels you read, they can still help out a lot.

Not only have the few self-help books I have bought improved my thinking, their advice has also aided me in making better decisions regarding my daily life.

 

On  the other hand, experiencing new things is a must. Aside from attending bible seminars every Saturday, I also try to attend conversation clubs that give their attendees free rein to express their opinion.  What is more, every year there is an event called English camp I started attending ever since last year. In this aforesaid event, not only do attendees take part in countless ESL activities, but they are also introduced to a few trades just for fun. Anything that doesn't make you slip backwards could come in handy.

 

In review, I would say to you must be quite methodical so as to become a good writer. You have to keep a note-pad so as to write down the new words you learn by the day. Moreover, you must also jot down the ideas you come up with on a daily basis in order to narrow down your options and scrap the ones you don't need until you find the one most suitable for your essay. Finally, try to talk to interesting people you meet about a wide variety of topics and avoid dredging up bad memories when talking to friends or family.

P.S. I prefer writing two supporting paragraphs as opposed to the teacher in the video. On account of it being tidier and less wordy.