I always want to emphasize Interactive Communication because it's one of the criteria that gets overlooked by teachers and candidates altogether. Today I'll speak about three ways in which candidates can use language effectively to:

I'm also including an element that also deserves some attention: intonation. On this occasion, I'll be talking about the way we say cleft sentences. So, enjoy today's episode and send me a message to [email protected]

Rossana, a listener from Italy, sent me this incredible message you'll hear today. It's very short but it's a good sample to give some well-deserved feedback. When clips are short, I mostly focus on pronunciation and some vocabulary. To give feedback on more aspects, I would need a longer piece of audio. In any case, she did really well.

The main event in today's episode is how to make generalizations effectively. In many parts of the speaking exam, whether it's for B2, C1, or C2, the examiners will pay attention to how you generalize about things. Not only how you speculate or hypothesize, but how you generalize when you give your opinions.

Keep sending your messages! I love getting them. I promise I'll post them all.

Marcelo was very eager to have my feedback, and I honestly don't have much to say about his amazing speaking skills. Being a teacher has allowed him to share everything he's learned along the way with his students. He has an incredible personality and a very focused mindset when it comes to how communication is essential in the classroom, whether it be face-to-face or online. Enjoy this conversation! Remember that if you want to learn more about Ben Gill's TTP Academy or my future course for C1 and C2, send me a line at [email protected]

This is a short presentation about the set text for B2 First for Schools and the two novels for C2 Proficiency. I answer why they're used in the exams and what candidates are expected to do. Also, I will explain what the benefits are and the possible pitfalls if you decide to prepare for them. The set texts are:

The video presentation can be watched here https://youtu.be/v_j02sshpSA

Two fantastic girls did the mock speaking for C1 this week and here's my full feedback. Remember that you can download the visuals for this test in this link. Also, I want to remind you (once again) of the special collaboration I'm doing with Ben Gill. Remember to check out Ben Gill's channels and Patreon Website, where you'll be able to join his TTP Academy. I'll collaborate with him delivering workshops on exam preparation and answering all your questions about the Cambridge Exams.

Ben Gill's YouTube channel: To the Point - English with Ben, his Instagram, Facebook and Ben Gill's Patreon profiles.

Today's music was composed by Ukrainian musician, QubeSounds, Check out their Pixabay profile.

Two of my B2 First students, Oscar and Sara wanted to share their plans for these Easter holidays. We had a nice chat in class, speaking about the different things they enjoy most about these holidays in Spain. You'll be surprised to hear how they can speak English. I always enjoy their participations in class, and you'll see how that comes across in this episode. Two young people with a bright future ahead. Thank you very much, guys! Enjoy the holidays.

Also, I want to remind you of the special collaboration I'm doing with Ben Gill. Remember to check out Ben Gill's channels and Patreon Website, where you'll be able to join his TTP Academy. I'll collaborate with him delivering workshops on exam preparation and answering all your questions about the Cambridge Exams.

Ben Gill's YouTube channel: To the Point - English with Ben Ben Gill's Instagram and Facebook profiles Ben Gill's Patreon

Today's music is by Joseph McDade, CONSIDER SUPPORTING HIM ON PATREON SO HE CAN KEEP DOING THIS! (Supporters get access to loops, stems, and alternates too!)

Today's episode is shorter than usual, but I'm bringing some fun with pronunciation. If you haven't heard of Gerard Nolst Trenité's poem "The Chaos", then you have no idea how hard English pronunciation can be! The poem illustrates the disparity between spelling and pronunciation. It's so hard, that even native speakers of English find it impossible to recite fully. Not only will I be talking about the poem, but also about its history and the many different versions it has. If you wish to get hold of an electronic copy (free of copyright), you can click here (Wikimedia Commons). However, the version you will hear in today's episode is this (visit the link)

Also, remember to check out Ben Gill's channels and Patreon Website, where you'll be able to join his TTP Academy. I'll collaborate with him delivering workshops on exam preparation and answering all your questions about the Cambridge Exams.

Today's music is by AlexGrohl. Check out his Pixabay profile.

Maura is a hardworking person who took upon her the preparation of the C2 Proficiency exam. It seemed like an impossible task, but she was very serious and organized with her preparation. She tells everything in this episode. Getting a "pass A" is the dream of many test-takers, and quite honestly, with the proper preparation, it isn't difficult. She even got 230 points (the maximum score) in the Use of English paper, the part that most people fear.

Among her recommendations, she says you should subscribe to Ben Gill's YouTube channel: To Ihe Point - English with Ben and follow him on Instagram and Facebook profiles. He has several Telegram groups, which she mentions in our chat. Also, if you wish to get feedback on your writing skills, send me a message at [email protected] and I'll explain how it goes. Maura also mentions Objective Proficiency as the book she used. You can find it on Amazon, or any other online retailer.

Last but not least, a special thanks to my newest listener, Andrzej Dąbrowski! Thanks for your message, man! I loved it! 

The music from today's episode was produced/composed by Musictown. Check out the profile on Pixabay.

Javier is a great candidate for the IELTS exam. He's in his early twenties, doing a Master's in teaching Spanish and wanting to go and live in Australia to teach his native language. To apply for the residence, he doesn't need much in the IELTS exam, just a 4.5 (out of 9), which is roughly equivalent to a B1 (Cambridge Preliminary). However, having studied English as a degree at the University, Javi is more than capable of getting that score. He would even get a seven (7) on the exam! We sat down together as part of a couple of quick sessions to prepare him for the exam. Since he's had experience with standardized testing, he only needed some pointers before the big day. I would always recommend some intensive preparation for the exam if you don't have the level you need to get accepted by the stakeholder who's asking you to do the exam. If you have any questions, drop me a line at [email protected].

The music of today's episode is by another musician from Ukraine, Oleksii Kaplunskyi. Visit his profile at Pixabay.

After not being able to upload an episode last week (I apologize for that!), today I'm bringing an analysis that I've been wanting to do for quite a while. Last year, I was amazed by how well the current Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, spoke English in several interviews he did while on tour around the United States. So, I came up with this and see how other Spanish politicians can handle English. Some with very mixed results and others incredibly well. Apart from Sánchez, we'll listen to Pablo Iglesias, former president of the Community of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, and the "infamous" Ana Botella, who became quite notorious during Madrid's presentation for the 2020 Olympic Games. Let me know what you think of their English.

Also, I'd like you to know that today's music comes from a Ukrainian musician, ZakharValaha, from the city of Kalush. Please visit his profile at Pixabay. Я з тобою Україна. Тримайся!