A tip for CPE, never say "important" and "very", try to use similar words. For example: instead of important, use essential or crucial, and instead of very use completely or extremely.
FCE, CAE, and CPE are really best indicators of your language skills. You must be well prepared for it. TOEFL and IELTS are bit different: you need good preparation HOW TO PASS EXAM. If you catch the tips you can pass them much easier than any of Cambridge examinations But both of them are valid only for 2 years, while Cambridge examinations have lifelong validity.
Imagine that they show videos of people speaking English very fluently. Most people that event have decent English proficiency would be intimidated. Test companies want to inspire you to take the test, and both you and them have positive experience (you spend money and get the validation you desire).
Hah. I wish every CPE teacher thought so ;) CPE papers include almost everything, from cultural to technical issues. They can catch you unaware, and you will suddenly find yourself in a rut in the middle of the Writing part, with all your thoroughly prepared planning thwarted. It is not the sort of thing I'd go through again, I can tell you. Once I applied for it -and fortunately passed- being 17, I got notice from native speakers who were experiencing difficulties themselves to pass it.
I agree. But most people seem to ignore that natives are just too polite and nice to say that you pronunciation freaks them out. )) It’s a pleasure to communicate with a foreigner who can speak your language so well that you don’t have to trouble your brains and ears to figure out what one said.))
Olga40308 "freaks them out"? lmao seriously? How fucking arrogant. Y'all should be grateful we learn English and not insult people's accents lol. You do realize English is a foreign language to us right? That we're not born with the ability to speak it? That it takes years to learn? Since you obviously don't know the first thing about learning languages, lemme tell you, it is not easy and making mistakes is completely normal (I speak 5 btw). And I bet you've never even made an effort to learn another language so who are you to judge? Learn to speak french or russian without an american accent and then we'll talk
I thought that CPE is very difficult to pass as it should be something that proves you are nearly perfect in english. But, to be honest, I dont have this feeling from this video. Obviously I was scared too much of CPE and I shouldnt have applied for CAE but CPE instead.
+Maius Soren is because this video is not showing the perfect candidates, in my opinion this guys would get a C at least in this part of the speaking exam.
I always hate the "in your country" questions. I took the IELTS in Japan after living there for a few years and for questions like, 'what do you find is changing most in your country' - it's hard to answer when you aren't really up to date or only get your information through news channels.
Maybe it helps that it's a germanic language as well. Another thing to consider is the school system. Their english classes at school are probably good too.
i'm actually a mite surprised by their perforamnce. Thought that Cpe equals native speaking abilities. Turns out (at least that's what i think) that those two individuals used language closer to the level of CAE or even FCE . What is more, they check ur pronounciation indeed. At least they checked mine during CAE. Frankly, it helped me out a lot in terms of getting a better mark, which was A in speaking. My advice is, practice ur british accent to impress the examiners.
me gusto mucho, soy de argentina y voy a rendir el CAE, ejemplos como este me sirven mucho, realmente estoy agradecido I realy like it, I am from Argentina and I`m going to set por the CAE exam, examples like thisone are realy very useful. thanks a lot.
listening listening and talking and talking and reading and reading and learning new vocabulary every single day and practicing some grammar every single day
I think they were a bit nervous which is normal; it was a really stressful moment for them. Try to understand them and to learn from their mistakes. That*s the point. Hugs
@JaimeinUK I agree with you on that one, but it's not the students' fault: it's Cambridge's. The questions you are asked during the oral part of the CPE are too easy (considering the level and command of the language you're supposed to have and show). "Do you think it's important to speak another language?". Mmm... that question could be asked during a PET Speaking.
Well, I guess you're exaggerating a little bit. In my opinion, it's pretty suitable for FCE but I feel that the level of PET is too low for this type of questions. However, it's obviously too easy and far too simple for proficiency - here I agree.
WoWWWW the difference between the speaking skills of people who is aiming for fce and cpe is as clear as water. im taking a level test tomorrow to assure i can start preparing for the fce ^^
And don't forget that this is an exam..and candidates are nervious!most of us can pronounce sth wrong even speaking the mother-tongue, when we are nervious))actually all what I saw from some of the comments is just distructive criticism. So if you can make difference between constructive and distructive criticism - you dig what I mean;)
@JaimeinUK However, I disagree with you on the pronunciation thing: they are not native speakers, so it's just normal that they have an accent. The thing is: can you understand them? Yes. Do they make major mistakes? I don't think so.
@JaimeinUK BTW can u speak any foreign language? I wonder how your accent sounds when you open your mouth trying to speak french, german, russian or whatever. Try polish and 'W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie'. Good luck.
Dutch people always struggle like the girl in this video (just like myself). We can't exaggerate as much while speaking, because it makes us think we are these impeccable people who everyone dislikes (at least in Holland). It's better to think you are performing a play instead of stuttering all the time, because they aren't going to check whether you are in fact a divined English novel reader or something like that.
I am not even 16 years old and i had my cpe exams almost a week ago except from the speaking exams which i am giving on 1st of June.I am a bit worried for the speaking test because speaking will literaly save my life! I am good at this part(speaking,in general)but I am afraid of the theme that it will come.up.I mean if it`s smth that it needs specific knowledge i dont think that I have it,I mean..i am only 16..!
+agnes fon marten I gave exams almost 2 years ago,so I dont really remember how it was..However,the examiners were very friendly and helpful! Just be cool and remember to laugh at your mistakes!Additionally,if you want to correct a mistake,use phrases like "Ohh sorry,what I mean is.."! How old are you?Good luck!!
l'm 19 and l'm just afraid l would blank out and forget how to speak at all :/ or would be stumbling over my words too much which would leave them with a strongly negative impression
@JaimeinUK I don't think it's an insult to intelligence at all. I said I agree with you on some of the things you said but I don't on others. These exams are aimed at people whose mother tongue is not English. That means they are not native speakers, so it's very unlikely that they sound like they are. Besides, pronunciation is not the be all and end all of these exams. Many things are taken into consideration. My point is: they have an accent (theirs) but they are understood. So?
Oh my god, I'm getting so nervous now... I'm taking my CPEs on the second of June... And I'm not sure now if my English is good enough for this... I'm especially concerned about the speaking, not so much about the reading and listening, I know I can do that. But speaking...
Beautiful, good, a lot of, nice, important, I think..... = numerous times... is it a CPE level? Gorgeous, advantageous, a great deal of, exquisite, vital, To my mind
@JaimeinUK Do u know that it's impossible to have an accent like a native speaker when u start learning after turning 6 years old? :) u've never heard a bad accent :/
I don't really think they deserve to pass their CPEs. The guy might get quite a higher mark than the girl, who got rather nervous, but it doesn't seem to me they are full-fledged English speakers, as CPE students should. They are clearly in a CAE, and maybe with 8 or even 9...
I would go to a doctor like Dan (is this how you spell his name?) :) And well, if I were to take an exam with him, I'd probably smile like stupid all the time :D Btw, they're both quite good.
THIS IS C2? What the hell, today I gained knowledge that my langauge is on that level without any language school. What have I been doing since 19? Reading english books in original, that will do a trick with anyone.
Hey blondie boy, could you speak up and articulate a bit better? It's annoying that someone starts making their speech and their voice gradually dies down, down, down and inaudible
+Marlin1290 then lemme tell you I passed the CPE exam at grade A, I never lived in an English-speaking country and my English is maybe even worse than that of an ignorant goat
