| Even if you are learning English in a school, | | | | * Do not spend all your time revising! Try to |
| you probably spend a lot of time working | | | | spend time on your normal hobbies and your |
| alone on your English. The time you spend | | | | social life. |
| working alone is actually very valuable for | | | | |
| you. And you can increase its value by | | | | * Make your revision interesting by relating |
| working in a disciplined, systematic way. At | | | | it to the real world - the news, for example, |
| the same time, try to relax. Be cool. You | | | | or your job. |
| will learn more easily and more quickly. | | | | |
| | | | * Make notes for your revision constantly. |
| Here are some tips to help you learn as | | | | And try to practise what you revise. |
| efficiently as possible. We will consider | | | | |
| three aspects of your work: | | | | * If you do not understand something, ASK! |
| | | | Never be afraid to ask. Ask your teacher, ask |
| 1. Homework: INput; new language, new | | | | the local library, ask English Club. Asking |
| grammar, new vocabulary; exercises | | | | questions helps you to understand. |
| | | | |
| 2. Revision: reinforcement; looking again at | | | | * Try to talk to other people about your |
| what you have already studied; consolidation. | | | | revision. Discuss any problems with your |
| This is very important. | | | | friends and family. |
| | | | |
| 3. The Examination: OUTput; this could be a | | | | * If it seems difficult, think about the |
| major exam like the Cambridge Certificate in | | | | future. You are working hard now for a better |
| Advanced English, or an exam like the TOEIC, | | | | future! |
| or a test at school. | | | | |
| | | | The Examination |
| Homework | | | | |
| | | | * Try to relax the night before the exam. Do |
| * Decide what time to do your homework each | | | | not revise too late. Go to bed early! |
| day - and then do it at that time without | | | | |
| fail! | | | | * On the day of the exam, have a good |
| | | | breakfast. Leave home early, so that you will |
| * Find a convenient place to work and always | | | | not panic if the traffic is bad. |
| work in that place. | | | | |
| | | | * Do not worry if you are nervous. It is |
| * Do your work progressively, a little at a | | | | normal and natural to be nervous. It will |
| time. Don't wait until you have a lot to do. | | | | make you more alert for the exam and so you |
| That will worry you, and you will find it | | | | will do better. |
| hard to start. | | | | |
| | | | * Read the exam paper very carefully. Be sure |
| * Be disciplined about your homework time. | | | | that you understand all the instructions - |
| Don't waste your homework time doing other | | | | and then follow them! |
| things, like telephoning friends or making | | | | |
| cups of coffee! | | | | * Look for the questions that have the |
| | | | highest marks or points. Do them first. |
| * Keep all your work together in a folder or | | | | |
| file. Keep it tidy. Don't do it on scraps of | | | | * Give yourself a time limit for each |
| paper. | | | | question so that you can finish the whole |
| | | | exam. |
| * Keep a record of what you have done each | | | | |
| week - and what you plan to do the next week. | | | | * Make sure that you include your name and |
| | | | all necessary details (examination number, |
| * Leave time in your plan for unexpected | | | | centre number etc) correctly. |
| events. | | | | |
| | | | Finally, try to be relaxed about your |
| Revision | | | | studies. Language is only a method of |
| | | | communication. It is really quite easy. You |
| * Revise in an organised way. Make a plan at | | | | are already an expert in your own language. |
| the beginning - and follow to it! | | | | Soon you will be an expert in English too! |
| | | | |