Advanced English and Exams (B2, C1, C2)

Today, our school organised a free webinar on writing‑assessment challenges in high‑level international exams. We would like to share the materials from the session and also invite you to explore our methodology‑focused training programmes: Assessment Technologies (Speaking & Writing) A 42‑hour CPD course on assessing Speaking and Writing: CEFR alignment, Cambridge & IELTS criteria, standardisation procedures, feedback techniques, and more. Certificate included. IELTS Writing Task 2 Assessment Practice A practical training consisting of three webinars, where you learn to interpret band descriptors, apply them to real essays, and justify your decisions using clear, criteria‑based reasoning.

Starting soon. Check your emails for the link

Друзья, приглашаем вас на наши летние курсы. Старт — в середине июня. 1. Методика Assessment Technologies: Speaking & Writing

Фундаментальный курс повышения квалификации по оцениванию продуктивных навыков в международных экзаменах. Курс подойдёт преподавателям, которые готовят студентов к Cambridge English Qualifications и IELTS. В программе — 10 живых занятий с преподавателем и практические задания по оцениванию на образовательной платформе.

English Teaching Methodology: From Theory to Classroom Practice

Курс по методике преподавания английского языка для начинающих преподавателей и тех, кто хочет системно разобраться в современных подходах к обучению. Это не только теоретический курс: важная часть программы — обзервационные уроки. Вам нужно будет подготовить три урока или фрагмента урока, которые затем будут подробно разобраны.

Для записи можно заполнить форму на сайте или написать Владимиру. 2. Язык Exams and Beyond: Advanced English for CAE and CPE Learners

Интенсивный курс подготовки к C1 Advanced и C2 Proficiency. В программе — 10 тематических блоков: задания собраны из аутентичных источников и адаптированы под формат экзамена. Курс будет полезен тем, кто хочет быстро набрать необходимый — и, главное, живой — вокабуляр для экзамена, а также отработать экзаменационный формат. Будет две группы: C1 и C2. Для участия необходимо пройти входное тестирование.

Для записи можно заполнить форму на сайте или написать Владимиру. Breaking Bounds

Интенсивный курс общего английского языка для высоких уровней. Курс построен на современных материалах с большим языковым input для развития словаря и грамматики на уровне C1–C2. Он также подойдёт тем, кто планирует начать подготовку к международным экзаменам, но сначала хочет уверенно поработать над языком.

Для записи можно заполнить форму на сайте или написать Софии Speaking Club: B2–C1

Разговорный клуб для тех, кто хочет отдохнуть от классических аудиторных занятий и поработать над спонтанностью речи, развитием идей и аргументацией. Мы предлагаем интересные темы, структурированные занятия и дополнительные аутентичные материалы: статьи, видео и, конечно, Quizlet-сеты.

Для записи можно заполнить форму на сайте или написать Карине. 3. Skills Writing: Effective Communication

Первый модуль курса по письму на продвинутом уровне. Курс не просто разбирает форматы письменных заданий CPE, но и учит писать тексты, которые отвечают коммуникативной задаче, грамотно структурированы и ориентированы на читателя.

Для записи можно заполнить форму на сайте или написать Владимиру.

Karina: There is hardly anything people can go on about for as long as they can list annoying traits of others. No wonder a Reddit thread on the topic is teeming with examples. Let's have a look at the ones with some good vocabulary 🤓

Sonya: Honestly, there is hardly any middle ground for me

I have never been good at hiding how I feel from the very person that annoys me. If someone makes dreadfully unfunny jokes, or talks about dumb sports for longer than ten minutes, or just happens to have a voice that is simply a cheese grater on metal to me, I can’t help it. My tone starts mocking right away, my eyes roll by their own volition, and snide remarks leave my mouth before I get a chance to stop them. The pattern is so repetitive it has practically become a drill: the annoying people get confused, then indignant — which, ironically, makes them even more annoying — then finally offended, and then we part ways. I know, I know, this is not very mature of me. But I have never particularly suffered because of this weakness of mine. After all, having the source of your irritation cut ties with you hardly counts as punishment. But it’s not always that simple. The article I found today talks about the situation where brutal honesty of such reactions can hurt someone you care about, or even you for that matter. Read on and find out what to do if you dislike your friend’s partner. Spoiler: don’t be me. 👩‍🏫 Quizlet set

Here's a new trio to kick off this week 🤓

Art cannot be good or bad. Art is art. More often than not, it is simply a reflection of society. Be it painting or architecture, theatre or literature, dance or song: all of them, at one moment or another, can feel wrong. Suddenly, every second person becomes disillusioned, rolling their eyes and wrinkling their nose in disgust. Yet in retrospect, we often realise that art was simply following society all along. And however tempting it may be to blame the artist, I’m not entirely convinced they always have a choice. Yesterday, that choice was made in Vienna, when Bulgarian singer Dara made history by winning Eurovision 2026 with Bangarang. The song is not really about anything. It is a traditional Eurovision spectacle — and to be fair, I think that has every right to exist. It’s fun, excessive, and yes, silly. We cannot spend our lives listening exclusively to opera. But this? I don’t think this should win. And when it does, I suspect it happens because the public itself is restless, overheated, boiling from within. The lyrics are shallow, the rhymes predictable, the chord progression familiar. The song itself is passable. But the message — “I’m a mover, I’m a teaser, I don’t follow, I’m the leader” — feels like something that will linger for a while. Not because it was born yesterday, but because it has been swirling around in people’s minds for years, bottled up somewhere beneath the surface, only finally finding its voice. I’m sad. I was rooting for others: Australia, Israel, Czechia... there were so many genuinely strong songs to choose from. But apparently, their moment was not meant to come. And though I too found myself wrinkling my nose in disbelief, I can still see why this happened. Art cannot really be good or bad. Today, it simply took the shape of Bangarang.

This weird feeling that I might be missing something. Since 2025, we’ve abolished Word and Google Docs. Back in the day, we used to collect our students’ writing in a single chat. Convenient? Yes. Organised? Not even remotely. Being not the most organised person in the world (not to mention not the most hard-working), I had a habit of postponing marking. This usually resulted in all the assignments being assessed in one heroic sitting, fuelled by litres of coffee and inevitably ending in a headache. Now, things are different. All homework is assigned through our platform. Students see their deadlines; teachers see them too. Homework that needs marking is highlighted, and the system keeps politely reminding you that your own deadline is looming. And this brings us to the screenshot. I’m sitting at my desk, coffee in hand, fully prepared to do my job… and there’s absolutely nothing to do. Weird feeling.

Recently, we announced two methodology courses for June: Assessment Technologies: Speaking & Writing and the second part of our IELTS teacher-training course, Grade Like a Pro. In both programmes, I will be focusing on the assessment methodology behind the writing component. To give you a clearer idea of what we will be discussing, I will be holding a free webinar dedicated to the challenges teachers face when assessing writing. The webinar will take place on 24 May at 11:00 Moscow time. You can register through our website. The session will be conducted on Zoom, and the recording will be provided. As usual, however, I strongly encourage you to join live: being in the same room — even virtually — with like-minded teachers and students is always a far richer experience. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Just a quick note to fill you in on the latest news. I’ve programmed a page that allows you to contact me directly through our website. Other teachers will be adding theirs soon as well, so you’ll be able to send messages using a simple form. Some may find that more convenient. In fact, just a few hours after launching it today, I received my very first email. Amazing. Ah, and one more thing: is anyone here active on Threads? Just the other day, I started lazily sharing some of my not-entirely-orthodox ideas there, ideas that don’t always align with the overall tone of AEE. So, if you’d like to keep in touch in the wider world of frivolous and chaotic threads, you can find me here.

Your text is already charming and natural — it has that relaxed “small update from the school” energy that suits you very well. I’ve only smoothed the flow, tightened a few phrases, and made the ending slightly more rhythmic while preserving your voice. Just a quick note to fill you in on the latest news. I’ve programmed a page that allows you to contact me directly through our website. Other teachers will be adding theirs soon as well, so you’ll be able to send messages using a simple form. Some may find that more convenient. In fact, just a few hours after launching it today, I received my very first email. Amazing. Ah, and one more thing: is anyone here active on Threads? Just the other day, I started lazily sharing some of my not-entirely-orthodox ideas there — ideas that don’t always align with the overall tone of AEE. So, if you’d like to keep in touch in the wider world of frivolous and chaotic threads, you can find me here.

Just the other day, I had a quick chat with our favourite methodology guru, Victoria Gracheva — and I am not even exaggerating. Victoria told me she would finally have some time this summer, which means we are bringing back our course: English Teaching Methodology: From Theory to Classroom Practice This will be the third time we are running it, and that makes it even more exciting. The course includes:

7 weeks of rigorous study 12 live online sessions, 90 minutes each Small groups of up to 8 participants A strong professional environment: participants are expected to have a high command of English — C1 or above 3 observed lessons, where you will put the methodology into practice and receive detailed feedback on your teaching

The course is ideal for: beginning English teachers teachers preparing for TKT, CELTA or similar qualifications teachers who already have some classroom experience but feel they lack systematic methodological training We are planning to start in mid-June. The full schedule will be published soon, but a little bird tells me the sessions are likely to take place on Friday evenings and Sundays. There is also an early-bird discount for those who pay before 1 June. More information is available on our website.

Have you watched this one yet? I haven't myself, but I'm hell-bent on it now, after reading the review! I'm in the mood for something light and nostalgic 👩‍🏫 Quizlet set

Time for a trio! What is the word that fits all three sentences?