Ah, the CPE Camp Bridge Exam-the Mount Everest of English proficiency tests, the academic equivalent of running a marathon while juggling flaming torches. And now, imagine attacking this beast when barely 15 years old. Yes, when all the other kids were supposedly struggling to get extra screen time or debating the presence of pineapple on pizza, these young linguistic ninjas were getting ready to prove they are basically Shakespeare reincarnated.
You are the sherpa guiding them up the mountain, a cheerleader urging them onward, and sometimes even their therapist. So, how do you guide these fledgling prodigies through the CPE without burning out yourself, or worse still, becoming obsessed with grammar rules? Let us plunge in-tempered with humour and sprinkled with practical advice.
1. Love the Chaos: The Teen Brain is a Beautiful Mess
First, let us spot the elephant in the classroom: 15-year-olds are a special breed. One minute, they are debating the nuances of modal verbs with the intensity of a Supreme Court justice. The next, they are arguing that "Aura points " should be added to the Oxford English Dictionary.
It is your job to harness this chaotic energy into productive exam prep. How? By making the CPE less a test and more a game. Turn essay writing into a competition: "Who can use the word dis·com·bobu·late correctly in a sentence?" (Bonus points if they can spell it without Googling.) Do grammar rules explanations in memes. Yes, there's a meme for inversion -the internet is a magical place.
2. Resources: The Good, the Bad, and the "Why Does This Exist?"
There's a load of choice out there when it comes to CPE prep material. Not all are created equal, though. Quick rundown thus:
The Classics: Cambridge’s official CPE books are the holy grail. They’re thorough, reliable, and occasionally make you question why English has so many exceptions to its own rules. (Looking at you, irregular verbs.)
Online Platforms: Websites like Flo-Joe and Quizlet are goldmines of exercises to practice and build vocabulary.
YouTube Channels: Visual learners will love English with Lucy and BBC Learning English. The only thing is, get ready for them to start speaking with a British accent in their sleep.
3. TikTok: The Unlikely Hero of English Proficiency
Yes, you read that right. TikTok, the app known for dance challenges, viral trends, and questionable life hacks, can actually be a secret weapon for CPE prep. Before you roll your eyes and mutter something about “kids these days,” hear me out. TikTok is a treasure trove of bite-sized English lessons, vocabulary hacks, and grammar tips—all wrapped up in engaging, shareable content.
From accounts like @english.teacher.amy (who makes phrasal verbs almost fun) to @grammarly (yes, the grammar-checking app has a TikTok presence), there’s no shortage of educational gold. Your students can learn the difference between “affect” and “effect” while watching someone lip-sync to a 15-second audio clip. They can master idiomatic expressions through memes and skits. Heck, they might even stumble upon a Shakespearean sonnet performed by a teenager in a dinosaur costume. (It’s TikTok—anything is possible.)
Encourage your students to follow these accounts and share their favourite finds with the class. Just remind them to set a timer so they don’t fall down a rabbit hole of cat videos. After all, balance is key—even when it comes to learning English through the power of viral content. Who knew “yeet” and “subjunctive mood” could coexist so harmoniously?
4. Practice Makes Perfect (and Slightly Neurotic)
CPE is not just a test of English skills, but it is a test of endurance. Your students need to be put under exam conditions so that they develop stamina and resilience. Set up mock exams with timed sections, complete with that special brand of existential dread only high-stakes tests can create.
But here is the twist: make it fun. Reward them with stickers, candy, or even with the privilege of choosing the next playlist of the class. Warning: this may get an entire hour of K-pop. Enter at your own risk.
4. Vocabulary: Because "Very Good" Isn't Good Enough
CPE requires such a level of lexical sophistication that would make even Jane Austen proud. Your students need to get beyond basic adjectives and bask in the glory of advanced vocabulary.
Create a "Word of the Day" challenge where students get points for using words such as ubiquitous, ephemeral, or obfuscate in conversation. Extra points if they can use them to confuse their parents. Ask them to read widely-novels, newspapers, even subtitles on Netflix. Just remind them that Bridgerton does not count as historical research.
5. Writing: Where Creativity Meets Conventions
The writing section is where your students can shine—or crash and burn spectacularly. Teach them the art of structure: introductions that grab attention, arguments that flow logically, and conclusions that don’t just say, “And that’s why I’m right.”
But not at the expense of creativity. Allow them to try on distinctive styles and tones. You never know, you may stumble upon the next J.K. Rowling in your class. At the least, a student who can draft that decent email.
