Nordhausen course

[RimcMullen]

Hi Torsten

Yesterday we finished Talk Time 2 Unit 4 Everyday Activities and Places which used Present continuous to discuss daily activities like studying, eating, sleeping in different locations and places. The unit test results were Yvonne 19/20; Lars 20/20; Diana 18/20; Grit 17/20; Katrin 19/20; Dorina 20/20; Susanne 17/20 & Katarina 19/20.
We also covered TOEIC practice questions in the afternoon and then we also did a review of Present Continuous using World Link 2 Unit 2 Express Yourself. The vocabulary mainly involved describing people, body language, gestures, emotions and feelings.

We finished that unit this morning and the the unit test scores were Yvonne 18/20; Lars 19/20; Diana 18/20; Grit 20/20; Katrin 20/20; Dorina 20/20; Susanne 17/20 & Katarina 19/20.

We then began Talk Time 1 Unit 6 Housing and Furniture to learn prepositions of places as well as using there is / there are & the contracted forms. I’ll have the Unit test results tomorrow.

We spent the last hour doing TOEIC practice tests.

[Torsten]

Hi Richard,

Thank you very much for your superb prep work with the group. I'm sure they're on the right track.
Regards,
Torsten

TOEFL listening lectures: A lecture from a physical science class

[RimcMullen]

Hi Torsten

The test scores from yesterday’s unit 6 Talk Time 1 Housing and Furniture focusing on prepositions of place were Yvonne 20/20; Lars 18/20; Diana 19/20; Grit 20/20; Katrin 20/20; Dorina 20/20; Susanne 20/20 & Katarina 20/20.

This morning we began with World Link 1 Unit 4 Around The World with the language focusing on prepositions of place and imperatives for direction, using the language of giving, receiving and following directions and also describing and identifying neighborhood places. The unit test results were Yvonne 20/20; Lars 18/20; Diana 20/20; Grit 20/20; Katrin 20/20; Dorina 20/20; Susanne 19/20 & Katarina 20/20.

In the last two hours of the afternoon we did practice questions for the TOEIC - first with pictures and then with conversations. Nearly everyone is getting the answers correct 80 – 90 % of the time. They are really learning about how to think the way the test is presented I think.

What time will the test be next Wednesday? The ss are hoping a little after 8:00.

Talk soon
Richard

[Torsten]

Hi Richard,

It's great to hear the group have been making such great strides. I remember the first day when I gave them the TOEIC mini test they really struggled both with the format as well as the level especially with the listening comprehension. Over the course of the past week they obviously have made great progress and that's largely thanks to your professional approach. I can see from the results of the tests you have been giving them that you were able to mold them into a very homogeneous unit which is very important for their motivation. It gives them a feeling of accomplishment and control. Thank you very much for that.

As for the time next Wednesday, I was thinking of 9 am and will confirm that with Mrs Thomas.
Have a good Friday,
Torsten

TOEFL listening lectures: A university lecture by a professor of Physics

[RimcMullen]

Hi Torsten,

that sounds good - they normally take their breakfast break at 9: tho so maybe they could do that at 8:30. They want to have a breakfast with me as a way to activate their English ears so we could do it a bit earlier.

[Torsten]

Hi Richard,

It would be great if on Monday and Tuesday you could practice the structure of the different parts of the test again. It's important that the group know exactly what they are expected to do in the various parts of the exam, especially in the four different listening parts since there will be no time for them whatsoever to figure that out during the exam itself. They either know what they are expected to do or they don't. Of course we want them to know exactly what they need to do please go through the different steps of the exam with them again.

Many thanks,
Torsten

TOEFL listening discussions: Where does this conversation probably take place?

[HansUlrich]

Hi Richard and Torsten,
I wish you and the group good success for the preparation and the implementation of the TOEIC exam. Many thanks for your diligent work. best regards to our students too Uli

[RimcMullen]

Many thanks Uli.

Hi Torsten - is the test at 8 or 9 tomorrow? We have been hearing different things here and just want to know for sure because a lady (not Frau Thomas) in the office said it was 8.

Today we are working on TOEIC practice questions nearly all day. We will do a short Talk Time unit as well practicing Wh questions which should help them for their test and then back to TOEIC practice this afternoon.

[Torsten]

Hi Richard,

Here is the agenda for tomorrow:
7:30 to 8:00: filling in the candidates sheets and giving information to candidates
8:00 to 10:30 TOEIC test

After that, breakfast break and then Frau Thomas will tell you how to proceed.

Please explain the structure of each part of the TOEIC test again.
Many thanks,
Torsten

TOEFL listening lectures: A lecture from a social sciences class

[RimcMullen]

Hi Torsten,

Today we began with more TOEIC reading practice and then we did another Unit from World Link focusing on Simple Past with irregular verbs. We finished of the day with Exam format review. See you tomorrow.

[Torsten]

Hi Richard,

It was great meeting you in person at last and we really should get together again. As for future projects, I suggest we start offering training packages to German individuals and companies that include a stay at EFL Ireland. Since both our countries are EU members all we need to do is create the packages and market them. Here are some ideas:
- Irish business weekend (fly to Ireland over the weekend, meet with Irish business people, take part in two workshops on specific topics, establish business contacts and return with fresh ideas to Germany)
- Irish adventure weekend/week
- Irish/Canadian/German scavenger hunt

Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Torsten

TOEFL listening discussions: What is the main weakness of the student's essay?

[RimcMullen]

Hi Torsten

Been very busy since I got back. Hope things are going well for you. any of those ideas are good but I thing the adventure week is the best one. I will draw up a plan and email it to you about that.

I am off to Canada tonight and back on the 5th so in the meantime, merry christmas and happy new year.

Talk soon

[Torsten]

Hi Richard,

Have a safe trip to Canada and back to Europe. Merry Christmas to you too! Let's base again in 2009.
Regards,
Torsten
PS: The TOEIC results of the Nordhausen group are great. The group will be getting their certificates on Friday or Monday. Thanks a lot for your excellent job!

TOEIC listening, photographs: Checking the circuit

[RimcMullen]

That's great! I am so happy for them.

[Torsten]

Hi Uli and Richard,

Here is an update on the new Nordhausen course which started on March 16. There are 7 participants, 3 men and 4 woman all of whom had English at school and their level is about A2 with a tendency to B1.

After the introductions and talking about the goals of the program we covered the following items:
- review of the personal pronouns, BE-verb
- alphabet
- days of the week
- the months
- simple past
- simple present
- question words
- TOEIC Bridge listening comprehension exercises (question response)

We covered the first 8 pages of 'Business Basics' and there are copies of the books in the room. I also left photocopies of some TOEIC Bridge materials. Except for one participant everyone has registered on the forum and taken the first couple of tests.

Please continue with the exercises in the book, review the simple past (questions, positive statements, negative statements) and introduce the present progressive (you can use the photocopies on the desk.)

It's a very good group and supportive group with a high level of motivation.

Many thanks,
Torsten

TOEIC listening, photographs: A produce cart