Writing Archives - Breakout English

Writing an engaging article in the B2 First (FCE) exam is a key skill for success. One of the best ways to capture your reader’s attention and make your B2 article stand out is by using anecdotes. These short, personal stories add depth, create a connection with the reader, and make your writing more compelling.

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Everything you need to know about the new 2025 PAU English exam in Andalusia

Blog / John Hayward

I’ve guided several groups through Selectividad English, and each year brings fresh challenges and surprises. This year, the powers that be have changed the Selectividad English exam for Spanish Bachillerato students in Andalusia. These upcoming Selectividad changes in 2025 feel more relevant than ever, changing how students approach reading, grammar, and writing. Officially known as

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First (FCE) B2 Essay Structure – Essay Skeletons

B2, First (FCE) / John Hayward

There have been many occasions where my students have no time to learn the correct B2 essay structure for a Cambridge B2 First exam. Course books often do a great job of providing model answers, useful phrases and much more. However, sometimes people just want to be spoon-fed the correct way to write an essay.

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Fun writing activity: The consequences game

Advanced (CAE), B2, C1, First (FCE), IELTS, ISE II, ISE III / John Hayward

Are you struggling to make essay writing more engaging for B2 and C1 exam students with fun writing activities? Often, the challenge with teaching writing lies in making learning these skills enjoyable. That’s where creative writing activities like this one come into play. We’ve developed a dynamic activity called the consequences essay-writing game, designed to

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Uses of punctuation marks – Writing well-structured sentences

Advanced (CAE), B2, C1, First (FCE), IELTS, ISE II, ISE III / John Hayward

I have long suspected that students may not have ever learnt the correct uses of punctuation marks in their 1st languages. If they don’t know it in one language, why would they be able to transfer this skill to English? I recently asked a teenage student if they ever wrote essays or long writings in

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How to write an email – PET Writing Part 1

B1, Preliminary (PET) / John Hayward

Are you gearing up for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) writing part 1 and feeling a bit overwhelmed by writing an email? In the PET exam, you’re required to respond to an email from an English-speaking friend or relative in Writing Part 1. Your task is to write a coherent and engaging reply in about

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How to write a report

Advanced (CAE), B2, C1, First (FCE), ISE II, ISE III / John Hayward

Are you planning to take an English exam like Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or the Trinity ISE exams and feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of writing a report? Let’s discuss the style and purpose of a report, the suggested format when you write a report for an exam, and useful phrases for reports. Finally,

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B2 First (FCE) Writing Part 1 – Improve an Essay

B2, First (FCE) / John Hayward

Writing is the part of any English exam where you should aim to get a high score and B2 First FCE Writing Part 1, an obligatory essay, is no different. It’s also the most trainable part of the exam in a classroom. While other skills often take lots of time, effort and practice, writing can

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Advanced (CAE) Essay Questions and Sample Answers

Advanced (CAE), C1 / John Hayward

The Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) essay is a formal, academic writing. You’ll find it in Part 1 of the CAE writing exam and, just like at other levels, Part 1 is mandatory. That means whether you like it or not, you’ll be writing an essay for your C1 Cambridge exam. Considering that, it’s probably a

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