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