Post 1: The Initial Questions by a Cambridge Exam Prep Teacher

"Who are you? What are you doing here? Why have you started this blog? What do you wish to achieve? Oh, this is going to be a lot of work." I can hear the questions you are thinking about, so let’s start at the beginning and let me introduce myself, my goals and the purpose of this blog.

Welcome to Cambridge Classroom Chronicles! My name is Claire. I have never really known what to say when I introduce myself, but let me give it a go. I currently work and live in Andorra. I am a Cambridge Exam Preparation teacher and a mathematics teacher – but my focus here is on Cambridge Exam preparation. Hence, the name of this blog.

I am a passionate Cambridge exam preparation teacher with over 12 years of experience, teaching in countries all over the world – Russia, China, South Africa, Andorra, Ireland and a few more. I am well qualified - I have a Bachelor's degree (with honors) in mathematics and education, my Cambridge DELTA qualification, all of the Cambridge TKT certificates, and I am currently working on my Master's (postgraduate studies) at one of the best-ranked universities in the world, St Andrew's University. My Master’s is in TESOL with a specific focus on exam preparation assessment and second language acquisition.

Furthermore, I am also a Cambridge Speaking Examiner, invigilator, coordinator and supervisor, with all the latest certifications and trainings. So, I believe that I am quite well qualified in terms of experience and knowledge, to be writing this blog. However, please remember that I am human and I can make a mistake. So, if you spot something, please let me know.

I know the first question is going to be ‘Well, why are you taking the time and making the effort to create a blog on Cambridge exam prep when there is already so much out there?’ And here is your answer: I want to make Cambridge Exam Prep easier for the teacher and fun for the students again. I don’t want to sound boastful or arrogant, but I know that I can do that for both students and teachers. There is a lot out there, but most of it is tips, approaches and techniques for exam tasks, not the fun, engaging, productive practice games and activities that we really want in the classroom.

I know firsthand the challenges of getting students ready for their exams. Whether it’s mastering tricky grammar structures, tackling Use of English tasks or boosting speaking confidence, I’ve been there – searching for the best ways to keep lessons both effective and productive, while still being engaging and fun. I know about the everyday battle for engagement and productivity when you are fighting against intense school and sports schedules too.

That’s why I’ve created this blog. A space where teachers can find resources, activities and fresh ideas to bring their Cambridge exam prep classroom back to life. From interactive games and lesson plans to worksheets and teaching strategies, I’ll be sharing a mix of both FREE and premium resources designed to help save you time and inspire your students to study and practice.

But this isn’t just a place to download resources – it’s a community. A place where like-minded educators can connect, exchange ideas, ask for support or assistance in this ever-evolving world of Cambridge exams. Teaching can feel isolating at times, but here, you’re not alone. There is a world of support for you.

So, whether you’re a seasoned teacher or just starting out, I invite you to explore, engage and grow with me. Let’s make exam prep smarter, easier, more engaging and simply, more fun – together!

Happy Exam Prepping!