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Useful phrases and grammar can be easily found on this page:

https://www.facebook.com/C.EnglishTeacher/photos_albums 

ECCE Evaluation Criteria

How the ECCE is scored

Learn more

• Enhanced results reporting for the ECCE
• Listening and GVR numerical scores
• ECCE Speaking Rating Scale
• ECCE Writing Rating Scale

Format of the ECCE

The ECCE is a test of general language competency in a variety of contexts. The four-component skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking are evaluated through a combination of tasks.

Section	Time	Description	Number of Items
Speaking	15 minutes	Test takers participate in a structured, multistage task with one examiner.	4 stages
Listening	30 minutes	Part 1 (multiple choice) A short recorded conversation is followed by a question. Answer choices are shown as pictures.	30
		Part 2 (multiple choice) Short talks delivered by single speakers on different topics, followed by 4 to 6 questions each.	20
Grammar Vocabulary Reading	90 minutes	Grammar (multiple choice) An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of words or phrases to complete it. Only one choice is grammatically correct.	35
		Vocabulary (multiple choice) An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of words or phrases to complete it. Only one word has the correct meaning in that context.	35
		Reading (multiple choice) Part 1: A short reading passage is followed by comprehension questions. Part 2: Two sets of four short texts related to each other by topic are followed by 10 questions each.	30
Writing	30 minutes	The test taker reads a short excerpt from a newspaper article and then writes a letter or essay giving an opinion about a situation or issue.	1 task

Use of technology

Nowadays, although a growing number of people use new technology and are interested in getting better knowledge of it, some others still prefer not to do so for a variety of reasons. Such a person is my aunt Maria.
Maria likes doing things in a traditional way and tries to avoid using technology whenever it is possible. Maria prefers to do things in person such as shopping, getting informed, or chatting with friends. She learns the news, meets friends and has fun by going out, or buying a newspaper. On the other hand, using technology is not a part of her daily life because it doesn't affect her job or personal life too much. It's something that doesn't attract her, either.
What's more, Maria doesn't have the necessary knowledge on how to use computer or other technological devices and that sometimes can be a problem. Sending messages or surfing on the internet is something that few people can't do and that's because they haven't put in the necessary time. Because of her character and sociability she likes learning things in first hand and that sometimes could also be better than finding information on the internet or other media.
In conclusion, different interests and different life styles is the only thing that divides people to those who use technology and from these who don't. I believe that using technology doesn't necessarily make someone happier or a better person. There are still many means that could replace some aspects of technology or other activities that technology offers to the general public.

 

Studying abroad vs studying in your home country

Nowadays, it's true that more and more students are tend to study abroad for their education. In spite of this fact, some people think that studying abroad doesn't make any difference than is not different to studying in local universities. In my opinion, studying in the interior or abroad should be considered from according to what the students want to accomplish.


Firstly, by studying abroad students are enabled to study subjects that might not be available in their countries. What's more, the students get involved and learn new cultures and ideas, broaden their horizons and make friends around the world. Another important part of studying in a foreign country is that there are many international students doing the same, so in this way the students can discuss and learn many things on their subject by getting in touch with them. To sum up In other words, I think that studying abroad can supply to the students new friends and experiences, better knowledge on the subject they are interested in and also important life experiences.


Although studying abroad could be a great opportunity to visit and live in different places around the world, there are also some important barriers which should be taken into consideration of by all the students who are interested in studying in a foreign country. The most important parameter is the high living cost other countries have. It's difficult to study abroad without spending too much money on house, food , clothes or fees. Furthermore, another serious problem is that the lectures in the other countries are usually given in the native language, so (thus/ hence) the students should be prepared and literate of fluent in the language. (Avoid 'To sum up' in the main body) Therefore, the high living expenses and the language could be a problem to the students who want to study abroad.


In any case, I personally believe that by breaking down the (aforementioned) barriers of living abroad and by learning the topical local language students would have a unique experience and they would also make friends all around the world.

Essay on Homeschooling

Nowadays, a growing number of parents consider more about school and an alternative to traditional education or homeschooling, as we call it. Homeschooling is a different method of education that allows the students to study at home with their parents, instead of attending the formal lessons at school. Many people believe that homeschooling could be a better solution for some families which have difficulties to send difficulty sending their children to a public school and others say that this will create problems to the children and that it will work against their natural development. In my opinion, homeschooling could create more problems than alternative education.


It is true that homeschooling refers mostly to people who are not capable to leave of leaving their house because they have some serious health problems or in the past had have been victims of bullying and improper treatment from their schoolmates. However, (comma) homeschooling can be used for more reasons and it might sometimes have a better effect than state schools. At first, homeschooling gives students a more flexible program. In this way, they can attribute perform better and will also give the capability to the students to focus more on the subjects they prefer. What's more, because of this flexibility, if some families live in isolated locations or they have problems because they can't pick up their children on time, they will now be able to avoid these problems and also keep an eye to on their kids (more formally: children/ young learners) during their studies. In addition, the material of their studies can be chosen from a wide range of books and subjects so the students will be enabled to have a well- rounded education. There are so many books that someone could choose or download from the Internet as well as games and other activities. These can be the formal school's books or other ones. At last Last but not least, another advantage of homeschooling is that these who have problems on a subject or they want to attend to a local school's lessons to get a better knowledge of it, are always free to do it.


Although that homeschooling can be a great source of knowledge and education, it can also create instability and undesirable problems. What concerns people who are against alternative education is that because of the conditions that it has in which it takes place, it could have an effect on children's socialization and make them more unsociable. It is also believed that parents are not always in the position to educate their kids and that is due to the fact that most of them are not qualified educators. Public schools might have problems too, but they also have the necessary equipment and staff that is required to for them them to perform their role as well as the y desirable social environment for students to socialize. I think that not facing the problems that concern s most of the parents, such as bullying or educational problems, (comma) doesn't help them (who? weaker students?) become better, but it results in them being isolated and maybe academically worst worse.


In conclusion, I think that homeschooling should only be allowed to kids (informal) that face serious problems with their education and not an optional tool that can be used by anyone. What would happen if one day everyone decides to leave schools? Would the educational system become better?

ECCE Speaking

Are you a school or university student? What year are you in?
I'm a university student studying maths in Heraklion, a city of Crete. I'm now in the second year of my studies.


Which subjects do you enjoy at school?
There are lots of subjects that I like, mostly Algebra, Calculus and Number theory. I think that every subject it's is unique and interesting if you spend a little more time with them studying it.


Which subjects do you enjoy less?
I think I don't like Physics or Computer  Operation as much as the other subjects. I find them too difficult and boring. I wish I had (only) to study maths only.


What would you like to do when you finish with your studies?
First of all, I'd like to gather together with my family and friends together and have a good time with them because now that I study away from home, (comma) we don't have this opportunity as often as before . I'll also take a break from studying and I'm planning to spend some time abroad during my holidays. I've always wanted to visit Italy.


How could your university be improved?
I think that it could be improved by having (providing) more recreational activities to the students. (example?) Another good idea is to review and reconsider some subjects that might need to be changed or improved. (example?)

Links

Check your reading level:

https://elt.oup.com/student/bookwormsleveltest/?mode=student&cc=gr&selLanguage=en   

The naughtiest cats in the world (to have a small break):

http://www.sunnyskyz.com/blog/79/The-27-Naughtiest-Cats-In-The-World-And-I-Can-t-Stop-Laughing  

Phrasal verbs tricks:

http://www.myenglishteacher.eu/blog/phrasal-verbs-with-up-separated-into-3-main-categories/   

Read about Women's Day!

Do you know how it all started? 

Read about Women's World Day and its connection to the protest against war as described in the UNA-Canada site and find a vast array of information and photos about women's history and achievements in the websites listed here:

http://markaki-students.blogspot.gr/2010/03/8-march-international-womens-day.html

'Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.'

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

A letter to the editor

Dear Editor,

Having heard that some schools in the area are trying to provide a vending machine, instead of a refreshment bar in the schools' territory, I am writing to you to express my opinion on this matter. I personally don't believe that installing a vending machine in schools is a good idea.


First of all, by installing vending machines the number of the students who are tend to consume unhealthy food will be increase d. It is a fact that students don't fully understand the importance of a healthy diet and for that reason, so the idea of locating a vending machine, although it will enable us to save some more money, it will draw students who don't usually have a nutritious or complete ly breakfast. What's more, in this case, the students will take less and less of the important vitamins our (their) body needs and they will drag themselves into a bad habit. In my experience, people who are used to having bad diet habits find it extremely difficult for them to give them up.

In my opinion, in order to avoid this kind of possible problems and protect youngers' health, we ought to provide a refreshment bar in which healthier food will be offered , like a variety of fruits, vegetables, juices and many other healthy snacks. In this way, we help the younger generations to realize the importance of a healthy diet and they are also given the opportunity to maintain a good physical form. Despite the fact that an operation like this requires a lot of money, as far as I know it is better for students because they are more interested in things they learn actively, more than when having to study theoretical school subjects. I am sure the results will also be impressive.

I hope you will take my viewpoint into consideration when deciding on this matter.

Sincerely,

Chris Sav

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verbs






A


-


Β


blow up = ανατινάζω


break down = χαλάω


break in/into = διαρρηγνύω


break out = ξεσπώ/δραπετεύω


break up = χωρίζω, σταματώ ένα δεσμό


bring about = προκαλώ, προξενώ


bring sb/sth along = φέρνω μαζί μου κάποιον ή κάτι (sb=somebody, sth=something)


bring back = επιστρέφω κάτι σε κάποιον


bring on = προκαλώ


bring up sth = λέω, αναφέρω κάτι


bring up sb = αναθρέφω κάποιον


C


call off = ματαιώνω, ακυρώνω


carry on = εξακολουθώ, συνεχίζω να κάνω κάτι


check in = υπογράφω για την διαμονή μου σε ξενοδοχείο


check out = ρίχνω μια ματιά , φεύγω από ένα ξενοδοχείο επιστρέφοντας το κλειδί και πληρώνοντας τον λογαριασμό μου


clean up = καθαρίζω, τακτοποιώ


come across = συναντώ/βρίσκω τυχαία




come along = ακολουθώ, πηγαίνω μαζί με κάποιον ή προοδεύω, προχωρώ
come back from = γυρνώ, επιστρέφω
come down with sth = "κολλάω" μια ασθένεια
come from = προέρχομαι
come round = συνέρχομαι, ανακτώ τις αισθήσεις μου ή επισκέπτομαι, περνώ από κάπου
come up = αναφέρομαι, προκύπτω
come up with = βρίσκω, σκέφτομαι (μια ιδέα,ένα σχέδιο κτλ.)
count on someone = βασίζομαι σε κάποιον


D


do up = επισκευάζω, ανακαινίζω
drop by = επισκέπτομαι κάποιον ή πηγαίνω κάπου (συνήθως χωρίς να το έχω προγραμματίσει)
drop off = πηγαίνω κάτι ή κάποιον κάπου με αυτοκίνητο


F


fill in = συμπληρώνω


G


get sth across to sb = κάνω κάτι σαφές σε κάποιον
get along = τα πηγαίνω καλά με κάποιον

 

Speaking part 2: Expressing my opinion

Having heard everything you said, I think the best solution for Peggy is to exercise and maybe go on a healthy diet instead of going on a strict diet. In this way, she could lose weight and work out at the same time. Because Peggy is not overweight, I don't believe that it is necessary to go on a strict diet to achieve her objective. What's more, people who go on strict diets usually hurt themselves in order to get thinner, because they don't take the necessary vitamins their body needs to be healthy. So, if I were in her shoes, I'd probably give a second thought on such an important matter . Additionally, taking exercise wouldn't make their parents worry about her health and for that reason this decision would make everybody feel satisfied.