Cambridge English Empower Course Overview

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Questions and Answers

What are the two main principles Memrise uses for language learning?

Using flashcard memorization and continuous review.

Creating personalized learning paths and gamified challenges.

Linking new information to pictures and spaced repetition. (correct)

Focusing on grammar rules and pronunciation drills.

What is Jon Foster's goal in learning Lingala?

He's traveling to a remote area of Central Africa and wants to be able to have a conversation in Lingala.

Memrise only allows users to use pre-made ‘mems’ or images to help them remember new words.

False

How does Memrise motivate users to keep learning?

It uses gamification elements such as points, levels, and ‘growing plants’ to make learning fun and engaging. Signup and view all the answers

What did Ed Cooke say about the reason people often stop learning?

People often stop learning because they don't feel they're making progress or because it feels like too much hard work. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ed and his team aim to achieve with Memrise?

They aim to create a form of learning experience that's fun and something users would prefer to do instead of watching TV. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a feature of Memrise?

A personalized learning plan tailored to each user's learning style. Signup and view all the answers

Jon Foster believes that Memrise will make him a fluent speaker of Lingala.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of the article 'Can you really learn a language in 22 hours'?

The article highlights the potential of Memrise as a fun and effective way to learn new vocabulary in a short amount of time, even for those who struggle with languages. Signup and view all the answers

Memrise uses ______ to help people remember new words.

pictures Signup and view all the answers

Memrise is a ______ that helps users learn languages.

app Signup and view all the answers

What is the suggested meaning of 'seeds', 'greenhouse', and 'garden' in the Memrise metaphor?

‘Seeds’ represent new words, the ‘greenhouse’ represents short-term memory, and the ‘garden’ represents long-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of the paragraph that begins, 'And Memrise is fun. It’s a challenge.'?

Memrise provides a challenging and engaging learning experience that motivates users to keep learning by offering rewards for progress and using gamification strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What does the sentence 'I need to go and water my vocabulary!' suggest about how Jon Foster uses Memrise?

The sentence suggests that Jon Foster has found Memrise engaging and enjoyable, and he now sees learning new words as a fun activity he looks forward to. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a benefit of using Memrise for language learning?

It provides focused grammar practice. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cambridge English Empower Course Materials

Course materials are optimized for use on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1
Supported browsers include Internet Explorer 10 & 11, recent Chrome, recent Firefox
Mac OSX 10.8 & 10.9 are supported, along with Safari 6.0 & 7.0
JavaScript must be enabled
Minimum download speed 3 Mbps, upload speed 512 Kbps per user
Firewall must allow content from multiple IP addresses
Minimum screen resolution 1024x768
Microphone requirement for voice activities
Activation code provides 12 months of access to online assessment, practice, and workbook

Cambridge English Empower Online Access

Activation code is for personal use only, not shareable
Code can only be used once
Registration is required via cambridgelms.org/empower
Self-study access is not included; requires course enrollment and classroom placement by a teacher

Cambridge University Press

The publisher is part of the University of Cambridge
Mission includes disseminating knowledge in education, learning, and research at the highest international levels

Unit 1: Communication Across Generations

Examines communication styles across generations (Veterans, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials)
Different generations have different communication styles due to their unique historical experiences, backgrounds, and cultural contexts
Veterans (born before 1945) value traditional forms of communication and family life. They are often considered the wealthiest generation for their hard work and loyalty as employees
Baby Boomers (born after 1945), experienced a 'baby boom' in the US, peaking in 1957. They enjoy face-to-face communication and are usually optimistic and hold influential positions in society
Generation X (born after 1965) are independent thinkers, valuing individuality and adapting to new technologies like computers, video games, and the internet
Millennials (born after 1980) are confident, good team players comfortable with technology, valuing friendships and family above work. They extensively use online communication.

Unit 1: Grammar - Subject & Object Questions

Subject and Object questions use auxiliary verbs (do, does, did)
Examples of subject questions:
- Which of the generations grew up in the digital age?
- What do we want from life?
Examples of object questions:
- Who do I give this to?
- What happened to your leg?
- Which of these books do you want to borrow?
- Who gave you the flowers?

Unit 1: Listening - Communication Across Generations

Younger generations may be perceived as rude due to their informal language choices
Online connectivity is favored by Millennials
Different generations may benefit from each other's communication styles
Correct spelling and grammar are often important for professional communication channels like emails and texts

Unit 1 - Vocabulary (Examples)

Gradable and extreme adjectives (e.g., very tired, absolutely exhausted, quite good)
Words like absolutely, very, quite, extremely impact the meaning depending on the adjective

Unit 1 - Learning a Foreign Language

Different methods for learning vocabulary (visual, auditory, kinaesthetic)

Unit 1 - Memrise App

Memrise is a language learning app
Memrise uses images (mems) that help learners remember new words (e.g., associating 'engine' with a motel room)
Regular spaced repetition is used to improve memory
Users get points and can compare their progress with others

Unit 2 - Work and Training Experiences

Interview experiences and job search strategies

Unit 2 - Grammar (Present Perfect & Past Simple)

Uses of Present Perfect and Past Simple tenses in relation to work and training experiences
Present Perfect: for recent past events, experience

Unit 2 - Technology

Discussion of technology's role in daily lives

Unit 2 - General Workplace Considerations

Employer expectations (e.g., likeability) in job interviews
"Soft skills" matter

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