Cambridge Preparation

Basil Paterson

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Course description

Many employers and universities now require evidence of your English level. Cambridge Assessment English exams offer an important qualification for life; perfect for developing your confidence and enhancing your CV.

Cambridge Assessment English exam courses include a place on the next available exam, guidance on exam skills and strategies, essential language development, individual feedback, weekly individual coaching sessions and timed exam practice.

Course overview

Students train to gain experience and acquire the skills necessary to achieve a passing grade in their B2 First (FCE) exam.

Teachers coach students to achieve to the maximum of their potential, and set milestones and goals for each student, with constant evaluation. This sets the pace for each learner to surpass their academic expectations and achieve more than they thought possible.

Students sit rehearsal tests under exam conditions. These are repeated as required to build confidence and familiarity with the exam.

Small class sizes also allow for a large amount of individual coaching, which provides students with the security of the knowledge that they are as prepared as possible for their exam, and with confidence and familiarity in the exam format.

All students who successfully complete this course are eligible for a Course Certificate.

Homework tasks are set daily to allow learners to reflect on and consolidate what they have learned in the day, as well as prepare for the next day.

The course comprises a mixture of lessons and workshops, and these combine to help students develop and practise the skills and abilities that are necessary not only for success in their exam, but also in order to operate effectively in English, communicating with both native and non-native speakers of English in a variety of contexts. The morning lessons and workshops focus on building the linguistic and life skills required to do this. Key skills covered include, spoken performance, critical reading, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary building.

In the afternoon, the emphasis shifts to how students can best apply these skills to exam tasks in order to fully show their abilities as a B2 level user of English, to achieve high marks in each of the papers of the exam. The strategies that students are coached in will help them to navigate exam tasks with ease, allowing them to approach the test with confidence in their abilities.

Homework assignments and mock exams are used to monitor students’ progress, and to highlight any areas that may need more intensive work.

Course content

The fundamentals of flexibility: for Use of English

In order to pass the B2 First (FCE) exam, students need to demonstrate flexibility in their use of grammatical structures and vocabulary. This module focuses on lexical areas such as wordbuilding, to help students understand the fundamental building blocks of the English language. Grammatical structures such as relative clauses and reported speech are commonly tested at B2 level, and students will work to develop flexibility and accuracy in their use.

Articulate with confidence: for the spoken test

In this module, students focus on the main areas which are assessed in the spoken paper. They are coached in pronunciation, and areas of discourse management such as signposting and turn-taking. Tutors will also focus on interactive communication skills, and the accurate use of grammar and vocabulary appropriate for the exam. Confidence building techniques are also taught, which will help students approach the exam with a positive mindset.

Reading for success: for the reading paper

Students are introduced to a variety of text types including magazine articles, fiction, and non-fiction prose. Tutors work with students to develop their ability to comprehend these extended passages while under time pressure. Skills developed include: working out the meaning of unknown words, following an extended narrative, and discerning a writer’s opinion. Students are equipped with strategies to help them deal with the types of questions used in the Cambridge: First exam.

Fundamental listening skills: for the listening paper

Text types used in the B2 First (FCE) exam include radio interviews, everyday interactions, and presentations. In this module, students are familiarised with the relevant text types, and given strategies and practice to help them achieve success in this paper. They develop the skills to allow them to follow and understand spoken texts in a range of contexts, such as understanding the gist of a text, working out meaning from context, and listening for discourse markers.

Expressing oneself through writing: for the written paper

In this module, students are introduced to, and practise producing the types of texts that are required in the exam. These include essays, reviews, articles, and letters. Tutors highlight what makes a good piece of writing for each of the required genres, and students are given detailed and specific feedback in order to help them produce better texts. There is a focus on brainstorming, planning, organisation, and effective use of grammar and vocabulary. Timed writing practices also help students to maximise their performance in the written exam.

Expected outcomes

By the end of this course, the student is expected to be able to

Express themselves clearly in both spoken and written English
Demonstrate flexibility in their use of language
Follow and comprehend a variety of written and spoken text types
Structure a piece of long form writing in a number of styles
Speak confidently with others in both one-to-one and two-to-one situations

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar

Class schedule

Course duration
1-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
25 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 60 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Edinburgh.

Class size

Maximum 8 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older
Average 27 years old

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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housing

Housing

BP offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

£ 290
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Edinburgh
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (12 meals per week)
Facilities: Laundry, wireless internet, free internet, and heating
Distance to school: 15 - 50 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 290
Living in a homestay has many advantages. Most importantly, you have the chance to practise English
throughout your stay, to make friends with local people and to be immersed in the culture and language.
We choose our homestay families very carefully, both for the facilities they have to offer and,
especially, their abilities to give you the warmth and welcome of a “home from home”.
Your homestay will treat you as a full member of the household, eating together and sharing the
common living areas. You are provided with a single room, or shared room if required, a quiet place for
study and breakfast and evening meals.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

£ 410
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Edinburgh
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, and heating
Distance to school: 15 - 50 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 410
Ensuite/Private Bathroom homestay accommodation.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

If you are studying in the UK for over 11 months, you will receive a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that you need to submit to the UK embassy along with your General Student Visa application. Students who have successfully booked a language course and have paid their fees will receive a CAS from BP. Please note that UK law states that a CAS can only be issued to students who intend to pursue English language studies for over 11 months.

If you are studying in the UK for 11 months or less, you have to apply for a special visitor visa called a Student Visitor Visa. As a student visitor, you will not be able to work part-time while studying. If you plan to study in the UK for 11 months or less, a letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Learn more about how to get a UK visa »

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Edinburgh based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Basil Paterson staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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