ELAE Study Tips

For vocabulary, you can access these lists at the following link:

- https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/lals/resources/paul-nations-resources/vocabulary-lists

Review Grammar: Utilize any grammar books you have to review and revise sentence structures. The ELAE Stage I assesses language at the A1-B1 levels based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), which corresponds to elementary to intermediate proficiency. Stage II assesses language competence at the B2 level, classified as upper-intermediate to advanced. For additional information, see the Global CEFRL Scales: https://www.coe.int/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale

• Familiarize Yourself with Exam Components: Understand the components and task types of the ELAE. Sample tasks for both Stage I and Stage II can be found at the following link:

https://sl.sabanciuniv.edu/en/sabanci-university-school-languages-english-language-assessment-exam-0#overlay-context=students/elae/assessment-exam

• Practice Tests: Access additional practice tests for ELAE Stage II at this link for further preparation: https://sl.sabanciuniv.edu/en/more-elae-practice-sets

"Memorised” ELAE essays: 

For the ELAE and other exams, some candidates receive advice from individuals outside of Sabancı University to memorize a “formula” for structuring their essays. This approach involves using predefined paragraphs, sentences, and phrases, which candidates then mix with words taken from the essay prompt, alongside a few original sentences expressing their own thoughts and ideas.

An example of this type of essay is provided here. In this sample, the portions that appear to be memorized as a “formula” are underlined, and they constitute about half of the essay. This implies that only the remaining half represents the candidate’s original work. However, it is crucial to emphasize that this strategy is not an effective means of addressing the ELAE essay question. As a result, the sample essay would likely receive a failing grade according to the ELAE evaluation criteria.

Issues with Memorized ELAE Essays

Essays that rely on memorized formulas often exhibit several significant problems, rendering them inadequate responses to the ELAE essay question:

• Overgeneralized Introductions and Conclusions: These sections tend to lack relevance to the specific essay topic, making them ineffective in setting up or summarizing the argument.
• Grammar Issues: When candidates attempt to "fill in the blanks" within the formula, it can lead to grammatical errors, resulting in sentences that do not flow well or maintain coherence.
• Mismatch in Vocabulary: The language used in the memorized formula and the candidate’s original contributions often do not align, which can undermine the overall quality of the essay.
• Repetition of Phrases: The use of a formula can lead to excessive repetition of certain phrases, making the essay sound redundant and unoriginal.
• Incompatibility with Essay Topics: The formula may not be appropriate for specific prompts, particularly those that require a nuanced discussion, such as “controversial issues.”
• Insufficient Original Material: These essays typically contain minimal original content from the writer, which is often inadequate to effectively address the question posed.
• Unverified References: Candidates may refer to experts or statistics without naming them, or these references may not be factual, which can diminish the credibility of the argument presented.

These issues highlight the importance of developing a nuanced understanding of the essay prompt and constructing original responses rather than relying on memorized structures. Such an approach leads to more effective writing and a greater likelihood of achieving a passing grade on the ELAE.

Here are some important points to consider for the ELAE writing section:

• Relevance to the Question: Ensure that all parts of your essay are clearly connected to the essay prompt. Each point you make should address the question directly.
• Development of Ideas: It is crucial to elaborate on relevant points with clear explanations and examples. This helps to strengthen your argument and demonstrates your understanding of the topic.
• Coherent Information: The information presented in the essay should fit together logically. While there is no strict format required, well-organized essays tend to have clearer arguments. Features like introductions and conclusions can aid organization but are not essential if the content is cohesively structured in other ways.
• Overall Organization: The organization of the essay as a whole is important. Grades are not awarded based solely on the use of specific components such as topic sentences or thesis statements. Focus on constructing a well-structured response that flows smoothly and presents your ideas clearly.

By keeping these points in mind, you can enhance the quality of your writing for the ELAE and improve your chances of achieving a passing grade.

A copy of the criteria used to grade the ELAE writing section can be found here

Click here for more strategies.