since i gave up blogging and i'm rather bored right now i might as well rant about things in the lounge. there's nothing going on in here anyway.

 

i want to leave my hometown as soon as i graduate. they don't offer the subjects i want to study at the local university.

so i wanted to leave germany anyway. i wanna study somewhere in europe. don't know where yet. i always considered london, but i'm interested in other countries, too.

 

so my school offers to take the cambridge certificate in advanced english. it's a certificate you can get and it makes possible that you can study anywhere in europe without proving your english skills.

 

i really wanna do it.it is quite expensive. they books aren't cheap and the test itself costs 165 €, but that's no problem, my mum said, which showed that my parents really support me in what i intend to do when i am older.

 

the worst thing is that only 12 stundents can participate. if there are more than 12 students they will decide by drawing lots. :( and i am know that i am the unluckiest person on earth. i will never get to take that certificate because some other idiot will take my place. :confused: i know that. and that person won't even go abroad.

 

okay, this is me being a bit pessimistic, but i didn't have anything else to rant about.

 

ah well, has anyone of you ever taken that test? i'd be really interested in your experiences.

I can't relate to your situation, but don't be so pessimistic! You need a positive attitude. Do you know how many people are taking test yet?

no, but i know that another two girls from my class did sign up. :dozey:

i wouldn't worry about it. i took the test before i first went to england and i thought it was a bit a waste of time and money. i'd generally say do it if you're trying to get a job in germany. i don't think anyone in britain is gonna care really. if you wanna go to uni there [or in any other country] just apply and they'll tell you if you have to take an english exam. i doubt it's gonna be hard, you'd probably do better than some english students.

 

it doesn't help you to improve your english, they just want you to memorise certain phrases. they'll teach you how to write formal letters and things like that. i personally didn't think it was helpful.

if you're considering studying in a country that doesn't have english or german as first language, consider studying the official language. but you'll gotta speak it perfect - (C1 or C2 levels/niveaux).

I can't really help with the test, but I can tell you that there is no such thing as luck.

 

But since you believe in luck, the only way you're going to improve it is if you start looking at the upside of everything.

 

That's what I did, and all of a sudden everything seems better. :wacko:

 

But I tend to crash and go into long periods of "Holy crap everything sucks, why am I even bothering?" So really, this doesn't work 100% of the time.

I'm taking this exam in June and I don't think it's a waste of money and time, otherwise I wouldn't do so. I'm also doing a preparation course for it.

 

I don't agree with the idea that "they just want you to memorize things". There're some parts of the paper (Use of English, for example) in which what plays a big role is the fact that you've read loads of English texts and many of my classmates are having a hard time with it because there's no rules or sentences etc that you can be taught - you just know it (or not). Also, this exam is recognized in many institutions - and if you're planning to study in the UK, me thinks it's better to have this certificate.

well i remember spending a whole day memorising phrases you are meant to use in a formal letter.

 

don't get me wrong i'm not saying its an easy exam. there's like parts where you have to understand people from different places and things like that. my point was that this didn't particularly help me to improve my english.

Lots

 

Only one dozen students, or else they draw lots?:o That seems a bit more than just limiting - "draconian" comes to mind as a descriptive adjective! I understand the intent of the program, which is very admirable, but to limit the number of students to 12 (this is out of the school you are enrolled in? City? District?) just seems so unfortunate, Grace. To me, it's contrary to the idea of a unified Europe as well. Would it be of any use to contact the government, and improve the program by admitting more qualified students? Hmm.. it does appear to be in need of enlargement. I think the EU should consider the value of this program in terms of better relations within unified Europe!

Here, we have a problem with transferring credits between the US university systems; even within the systems operating within each state. I think it's a shame, with many students loosing a substantial number of credits, all because of someone thinking the quality or focus of a given number of courses is insufficient (and I think some of it has to do with excess pride issues as well - one University thinks the other is somehow doing a poorer job of educating students / or their program is better..) Turf battles..

If it's any consequence, I think your English skills are quite good, and you would do fine here (if you so desired to go to school here!).:)

nah, anyone could take the test, but my school offers extra lessons to prepare for it.

and those classes that take place in the afternoon are limited to 12 people.

so it's actually my school that set the rules.

yeah, but i get your point.

we have many english teachers who could actually help, but i guess there's only one who does meet up with those 12 students in the afternoons.

whatsoever.

i just hope i'm lucky this time.

they'll put up a list in may and i hope to find my name on it!

hmmmm now that i think of it ...

 

one girl from my year, who didn't study german in high school at all, managed to be accepted at Graz - medicine. so ... perhaps those exams arent even needed.

 

i know ther'es another certificate, my friend took it. she had to read some books and answer some questions... she was studying at home and i dont believe she had to pay a lot.

yeah, there's a lower one.

they'll offer it to you if you don't pass the CAE.

i think it was called first certificate in english (FCE).

yea, i guess it's that one! :D

Good luck in the draw Grace :)