Simulacre d'Examen AN #5 — Oposicions Secundària Catalunya 2026

Develop a comprehensive exposition on the evolution of the English novel: 1. Introduction: The Novel as Literary Form - Definition and characteristics of the novel - Origins and early development (Defoe, Richardson) - The novel's rise in popularity 2. The 18th Century: The Birth of the Novel - Daniel Defoe: "Robinson Crusoe" and realism - Samuel Richardson: epistolary novel and psychological depth - Henry Fielding: comic novel and social satire - Laurence Sterne: experimental narrative ("Tristram Shandy") 3. The Romantic Novel (Late 18th-Early 19th Century) - Gothic novel: Horace Walpole, Ann Radcliffe, Mary Shelley - Historical novel: Walter Scott - Themes: emotion, nature, the sublime, the supernatural 4. The Victorian Novel (1837-1901) - Social realism and industrial society - Charles Dickens: social critique, serialization - The Brontë sisters: psychological depth, female perspective - George Eliot: intellectual realism, moral complexity - Thomas Hardy: naturalism, fate and environment - Themes: morality, class, gender, empire 5. Transition to Modernism (Late 19th-Early 20th Century) - Naturalism and determinism - Psychological realism (Henry James) - Impressionism and aestheticism (Oscar Wilde) 6. The Modernist Novel (1900s-1940s) - Break with Victorian conventions - Stream of consciousness: James Joyce, Virginia Woolf - Fragmentation and experimentation - Joseph Conrad: narrative complexity, colonialism - D.H. Lawrence: sexuality and psychology - Themes: alienation, war, time, consciousness 7. Key Innovations and Techniques - Narrative perspective (first-person, omniscient, limited) - Temporal experimentation (flashbacks, non-linear narrative) - Symbolism and imagery - Unreliable narrators 8. Teaching the Novel in Secondary Education - Selecting age-appropriate texts - Scaffolding strategies for long texts - Activities: character analysis, theme exploration, creative writing - Adapting extracts for B1-B2 levels - Using film adaptations 9. Conclusion: The Novel's Enduring Relevance - The novel's reflection of social change - Contemporary developments (postmodernism, postcolonialism) - The novel in the digital age

Develop a comprehensive exposition on Shakespeare and his pedagogy: 1. Introduction: Shakespeare's Enduring Relevance - Why Shakespeare matters in 21st-century education - Universal themes and linguistic richness 2. Historical and Biographical Context - Life in Elizabethan England (1564-1616) - The Globe Theatre and performance context - The English Renaissance and humanism - Shakespeare's career: actor, playwright, shareholder 3. Overview of Shakespeare's Works - Comedies: characteristics, key works ("A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Twelfth Night") - Tragedies: characteristics, key works ("Hamlet," "Macbeth," "Romeo and Juliet," "Othello," "King Lear") - Histories: English history plays, kingship and power - Romances: late plays ("The Tempest") - Sonnets: themes of love, time, beauty, mortality 4. Key Themes Across Shakespeare's Works - Love and romance (romantic, familial, friendship) - Power, ambition, and political intrigue - Appearance vs. reality, deception - Fate vs. free will - Justice and revenge - Gender and identity 5. Shakespeare's Language - Early Modern English vs. Contemporary English - Blank verse and iambic pentameter - Prose vs. verse: social and dramatic functions - Wordplay: puns, double meanings, malapropisms - Rhetorical devices: metaphor, imagery, soliloquy, aside - Shakespeare's contribution to English vocabulary (invented words) 6. Literary and Dramatic Techniques - Soliloquy and inner conflict ("To be or not to be") - Dramatic irony - Comic relief in tragedies - Use of the supernatural (ghosts, witches, magic) - Subplot and parallel plots 7. Critical Interpretations and Adaptations - Feminist readings (e.g., Lady Macbeth, Portia) - Postcolonial readings (e.g., "The Tempest," Othello) - Film adaptations: Zeffirelli, Branagh, Luhrmann - Modern retellings and cultural appropriations 8. Pedagogical Approaches to Teaching Shakespeare - Overcoming language barriers: glossaries, modern translations, paraphrasing - Performance-based learning: acting scenes, reader's theatre - Film and multimedia: comparing adaptations - Contextualization: Elizabethan society, theatre conventions - Scaffolding activities: * Pre-reading: plot summaries, character maps * While-reading: guided questions, key quotations * Post-reading: creative responses, debates, essays - Differentiation for mixed-ability classes - Using extracts vs. full plays (ESO vs. Batxillerat) 9. Specific Examples: Teaching "Romeo and Juliet" or "Macbeth" - Why these plays work well in secondary education - Key scenes for close reading - Themes relevant to adolescents - Activities: modernizing the prologue, character hot-seating, creating alternative endings 10. Assessment Strategies - Analytical essays on themes and characters - Creative tasks: diary entries, letters, additional scenes - Performance assessment - Comparative analysis (play vs. film) 11. Conclusion: Shakespeare's Place in the EFL Curriculum - Cultural literacy and canonical knowledge - Linguistic and literary skills development - Critical thinking and interpretation - Universal human experiences across time and culture

Develop a comprehensive exposition on UK and US cultures: 1. Introduction: Understanding Anglophone Cultures - Importance of cultural knowledge in language teaching - Defining culture: visible and invisible aspects - The spread of English and cultural diversity 2. The United Kingdom: Historical Overview - Formation of the UK: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland - Key historical periods: Roman Britain, Anglo-Saxon, Norman Conquest, Tudor period, Victorian era, World Wars, postwar decline - The British Empire and Commonwealth - Devolution and contemporary politics (Brexit impact) 3. British Society and Culture - Monarchy and parliamentary democracy - Class system and social mobility - Education system: state vs. private, GCSEs, A-levels - National Health Service (NHS) - Multiculturalism and immigration - Regional identities: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland - Stereotypes vs. reality 4. British Cultural Expressions - Literature: canonical authors and contemporary voices - Music: The Beatles, punk, Britpop, grime - Film and television: BBC, British cinema, period dramas - Sports: football, cricket, rugby - Traditions: afternoon tea, pub culture, holidays (Guy Fawkes, Bonfire Night) 5. The United States: Historical Overview - Colonial period and indigenous peoples - American Revolution and founding principles - Westward expansion and Manifest Destiny - Civil War and Reconstruction - Immigration waves and the "melting pot" - Civil Rights Movement - Contemporary issues: polarization, gun rights, healthcare 6. American Society and Culture - Federal system and Constitution - The American Dream ideology - Individualism and self-reliance - Diversity and multiculturalism - Education system: K-12, community colleges, universities - Healthcare system (private vs. public debate) - Religion and secularism 7. American Cultural Expressions - Literature: from Puritanism to contemporary voices - Music: jazz, blues, rock, hip-hop, country - Hollywood and film industry - Television: influence on global culture - Sports: baseball, basketball, American football - Holidays: Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Super Bowl 8. Comparing UK and US Cultures - Language differences: vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation - Political systems: monarchy vs. republic - Social attitudes: gun control, healthcare, class - Educational approaches - Humor and communication styles 9. Teaching Culture in the EFL Classroom - Integrating cultural content with language skills - Avoiding stereotypes and promoting critical thinking - Authentic materials: news articles, films, music - Project-based learning: cultural research presentations - Intercultural competence and global citizenship - Addressing controversial topics appropriately 10. Cultural Awareness Activities for ESO and Batxillerat - Comparing holidays and traditions - Film analysis: cultural values in movies - Historical timelines and key events - Debates: cultural differences and stereotypes - Virtual exchanges with students from UK/US 11. Conclusion: Culture as Dynamic and Diverse - Beyond monolithic views of "British" or "American" culture - Internal diversity: regional, ethnic, class differences - Globalization and cultural hybridity - The role of English as a global language