· Read the questions – highlighting or underlining key words. What is the question asking you to do?
· Describe / list / compare / contrast / justify / give reasons / predict / explain?
· Take note of glossed vocabulary
· Note the format of the passage and where information is likely to be found within it. Identify who the speakers will be.
· Predict what vocabulary you will need to listen to - Use the question to help you think about words and phrases related to the topic of the listening task – make some notes in Spanish.
· Questions to ask yourself:
· What sort of vocabulary should I be listening out for?
· What is the format of this passage likely to be (monologue, dialogue, instructions, song, etc.)
· Do you need to divide up your listening note box into two columns/a table etc. ?
1. 1st Listen
· Sit back, relax and listen for the overall gist/message
OR
Write heaps of notes in the order they appear in the listening passage.
· Listen out for key words that you recognise.
· If you hear a word and aren’t sure what it means, write it down phonetically. You can always go back and try to clarify it later.
· Use any pauses to re-read the questions
2. 2nd & 3rd Listen
· Revise and add to your notes.
· Add detail such as “a lot”, “a little bit” as well as listening carefully to numbers
· Write down EVERYTHING you can! You don’t know what may be useful when answering the questions – make sure you write as much detail as possible.
3. Pauses after each passage
· Straight after listening to a passage you have three minutes – use this time to go over your notes and fix anything / add info that is missing / rewrite messy handwriting – do this while it is fresh in your memory it may be too late to remember when you come to write the answers.
Organising your notes
· Come up with symbols (* x - + r«¡) / Numbers (1, 2, 3) / Letters (a, b, c) / highlighter colour for each question or part of question. Go through your notes and mark relevant information for each question with the appropriate symbol.
· Remember: you may be able to use the same information for multiple questions.
· If you have notes that are not going to be used, see what question you might be able to use it for. Remember – you are rewarded for correct, not incorrect, information
When writing your answer remember the 4 levels of SOLO Taxonomy (see image)
1. Make an outline of your answer
· Make sure to use all relevant information (tick off/cross out information as you go)
2. Write your answer
· Write full sentences in English that answer the question as accurately as possible.
· Include nice linking words and as many details as possible.
· Do not write in Spanish.
· You should quote / refer to people in the text
Marta says that she likes…
Marta says “I like …
· Ask yourself:
o Have I written as accurate answer as possible? Using the correct tense etc. DON’T SUMMARISE!
o Have I transferred my notes into my answers?
o Is the information relevant to the question?
o Am I presenting the information in a logical order?
Use phrases to link ideas and add your own inferences/interpretations/conclusions.
....therefore...
....due to...
....while...
....which implies that...
....which could mean that...
....which suggests that...
· Use common sense. If the answer feels incomplete or incorrect, it likely is. Go back to your notes and see what you can add or infer. Make and educated guess if necessary.
· Take care with numbers – use common sense – for example a population is most likely to be 7 million instead of 7 thousand.
· Questions to ask yourself:
o Have I answered all parts of the question? (Why, how, who, where, etc.)
o Have I written my answers in the right place?
o Have I removed any ambiguous, irrelevant or alternative answers?
o Does my answer make sense?
o Have I STATED THE OBVIOUS for the examiner? Don’t leave out information that you assume is obvious.
Can I make any inferences/links between information to make an EXTENDED ABSTRACT answer?
o DO NOT LEAVE ANY QUESTION BLANK. You will get awarded points even for single words.