Moira and Bethany

First Certificate English (FCE) Preparation Course

If your knowledge of English is already good enough for many everyday situations, then FCE is the right exam for you. It is ideal if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career which requires English. Thousands of employers, universities and government departments around the world recognise Cambridge ESOL examinations, so a Cambridge ESOL exam is a valuable qualification to have when you need to provide evidence of your level of English for a job or when you apply for a place to study.

This is an academic 3/4 week course. You will have 15 hours of English lessons per week usually on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. (Wednesday and Sundays are full day excursions). Class sizes are a maximum of 12 students.

On this FCE course you will study hard in dynamic and motivated classes with experienced English teachers. You will also meet other like-minded students of a similar age from all over the world.

The exam: International Summer School has recently applied to become an ESOL Cambridge Exam Centre. Therefore, there is the possibility that students will be able to sit the FCE examination while they are with us this summer. The examination will take place on Friday 27th July, 2012.

Lesson 1: The first lesson is from 9 to 10.30am. This lesson will be with your main teacher who will guide you through an up-to-date FCE course book. This teacher will also complete your International Summer School report and certificate at the end of your stay. In this lesson you will explore a wide range of contemporary topics, practice extended writing with model answers, study and revise grammar and vocabulary for FCE, whilst looking at all 5 papers in great depth (Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening and Speaking). You will be provided with a file in which to store your work, all stationery and materials (including a Course book and Workbook for you to keep).

Lesson 2: After morning break you will continue with the same teacher from 11 to 11.45am. During this lesson you will build upon the work you have done in your first lesson using relevant FCE materials and authentic resources. Skills needed in the exam will be focused on and study tips and techniques will be practiced.

Lesson 3: The last lesson of the morning (11.45am to 12.30pm) is devoted to the FCE course book again. You will usually have a different teacher for this part of the morning who will continue utilising the course book fully and give you extra support and guidance in problem areas.

In all lessons timed practice papers will be done on a weekly basis to help you understand the time given for each part of the exam, helping to prepare you fully. In Week 2 a full mock exam is carried out.

We will provide support and guidance throughout the course in the form of daily monitoring and individual feedback.

Homework is given twice a week and is reviewed and checked at the beginning of every lesson with time for any questions, feedback or issues. We recommend students complete homework during 5-6 pm on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in our 'Homework Study Sessions'.

Please note: Students must be B1 level (Intermediate) level or above and will be asked to complete an FCE mock before starting the course. Reading and writing components of this mock must be completed prior to arrival and listening and speaking tests will be conducted on the first day. A Skype/telephone interview may also be required before being accepted on the course. If it emerges that your level of English is too low for this FCE Preparation Course and therefore detrimental to the progress of other students in the group we reserve the right to transfer you to the General English Course.

If you would like to enroll on an FCE Preparation Course please complete either our Moira House or our Bethany booking form and tick the FCE option on the form. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.