Professional Development

for English Teachers

The 31st P.A.R.K. Conference

Striking the Right Balance in Exam-Prep Courses

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Catherine Hollings

KEY WORDSFirst, Advanced, B2, C1, FCE, CAE, exam practice, exam skills, motivation

AGE GROUPSteens, young adults

CEFR LEVELSB2, C1

AUDIENCEmixed

When it comes to exam-prep courses it is always tricky to strike the right balance – we need to engage students on a personal level, but also ensure we include enough academic rigour and focus to develop their exam skills. In this session we will explore tips and tricks to apply in the exam-prep classroom to ensure your students stay motivated and leave the course exam ready. You take away strategies to apply in any exam-prep classroom, no matter the material.

Catherine Hollings is a dedicated educator and languages enthusiast with over 20 years of experience in the field of ELT: firstly, as a teacher and Cambridge Speaking Examiner and later as an ELT Consultant for National Geographic Learning in Spain and Portugal. Since joining the company’s Teacher Training team in 2024, she has presented and run workshops throughout Europe and the Middle East empowering teachers to make language learning more relevant and motivating.