Eleni Kastrinaki

My name is Eleni. I am 12 years old. I live in Thessaloniki. I have been studying English at my school for five years and I took the Cambridge English: B1 Preliminary (PET) for Schools exam with the British Council in May 2012. Now I’m studying for my Cambridge English: B2 First (FCE) for Schools exam, which I expect to take in May 2013.

Why I took the Cambridge English: B1 Preliminary (PET) for Schools

I like learning English because it’s a way to communicate with people from other countries. I will be able to work abroad or in Greece. I will find a job more easily if I know a language. I like reading and I like reading books in English.

The things I do to help me to study

I have been studying and practising my English since the fourth grade of primary school. I like watching movies in English. Sometimes we watch them at the English school. They are really fascinating. Now I can understand them without subtitles.

At the English school I have a lesson four times a week. That is about seven hours of study. At home I study for about four or five hours a week. My brother speaks English too so I can practise practice with him. I sit at home with my books and I learn grammar and vocabulary.

My experience of taking the exam with the British Council

The exam wasn’t too hard. The listening was the easiest part of the whole exam. It was clear and I was able to hear it without any problems. The writing was quite easy too because we had practised hard at my English school.

The people from the British Council were really friendly. The whole atmosphere was warm. They told us what we should do. The exams started and finished on time.

What the future holds for me

I would like to be a doctor because I like helping people. I have been in many hospitals and I don’t like to see suffering. I would like to work with adults – especially with older people. They suffer from more illnesses such as cancer.