Cambridge FCE exam preparation

Overview and Course Dates

Cambridge First Certificate in English Exam Preparation*

This is a program of English language development and integrated First Certificate Exam practice for international students, who require evidence of Upper-Intermediate Level English proficiency for one of the following reasons:
entry into international education institutions, employment in international companies, credits towards High School or University courses in English language

The program is also suitable for students who wish to study in an intensive learning environment and develop strong language skills equivalent to CEFR proficiency B2**, (but who may not be interested in doing the FCE exam).
**CEFR refers to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages The FCE Grades B and C are equivalent to CEFR level B2 (FCE Grade A is equivalent to CEFR C1, while a Pass equates to CEFR B1) C1 B1 A1

**CEFR Proficiency levels Advanced C2 Mastery Intermediate B2 Upper-Intermediate Beginner A2 Elementary

Course aims
The course aims to develop the participants Core English language skills for accuracy, including a focus on grammar and structure, lexical resources, spelling and pronunciation. These lead to a proficiency level equivalent to B2 (CEFR). The course further aims to develop the participants Core English language skills for fluency, including topic development, coherence, text genres, paraphrasing and the use of cohesive devices. These lead to a proficiency level equivalent to B2 (CEFR). The course aims to develop general purpose English language for community interaction. This will allow the international student to display an intelligible model of English, which includes social formulae and idiomatic language to give them confidence in completing the communicative components of the First Certificate of English exam. The course aims to develop specific exam strategies for each of the FCE test components for Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening and Speaking. These include tips on how to deal with all Parts of each exam paper. The course aims to give students a range of test taking experiences through timed trail tests and exam simulations in all FCE exam components. Students build up Test folders and Writing Folders with a collection of test strategies, test tasks and model answers as well as a record of their individual test achievements over the course period.

Course structure
The course is divided into 12 Modules and is delivered over a 12-week period. Each Module consists of 5 components: o Topic development This identifies the topics which are developed in each unit and their use in the context of the FCE exam (E.g. environmental problems, population
changes, extreme sports, preparing for job interviews, etc.) o

Vocabulary This identifies the vocabulary which is activated by the topic and related unit tasks (E.g. words connected with the environment, collocations with health and
fitness; spoken idiom, etc.)

Grammar focus This identifies the grammar, functions and structures for the unit
(E.g. giving opinions, making suggestions, separating facts and opinions, general category nouns, countables/uncountables, collocations related to environment, nominalisation etc.)

(*This course is not part of the Australian Qualifications Framework)

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Cambridge FCE exam preparation

Overview and Course Dates

FCE test tasks This identifies the Macro skill (Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening, Speaking), the task type and related FCE test strategies (E.g. FCE Listening: sentence completion; FCE Writing: a letter of complaint; FCE Reading: multiple matching; FCE Speaking: Talk about 3 pictures and the best solution to a problem) Test practice file This identifies which parts of the FCE tests are taken under exam conditions and other items to be kept in individual portfolios (E.g. Use of English papers; Listening and Reading papers; FCE Speaking Part 3 or 4; Individual pronunciation practice: syllable stress; FCE Vocabulary list, Grammar review: nominalization, verbs, etc.)

Assessments Trainees will complete weekly progress tests in English Language skills as well as periodic FCE tests under simulated exam conditions. At the end of the course, trainees will receive a Certificate showing a final grade in English language performance for each of the macro skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) as well as an overall score for English grammar and vocabulary.

Course duration
The course length is 12 weeks @ 20 hours per week.

Entry requirements
Intermediate level general English language proficiency (equivalent to CEFR B1) Intended FCE exam registration, (or) A strong desire to learn intensive, skill-based English

Exit goal
Upper-Intermediate level general English language proficiency (equivalent to CEFR B2) Sufficient test knowledge and strategic competence to successfully complete all parts of an FCE exam

Course start dates

o o o o 12 March 2012 12 June 2012 10 September 2012 7 January 2013

12 week course costs Registration Resources*** Course Fee

(12 weeks)

$220 $180 $3,360

Total $3,760 (Additional Exam fee $ 390)

***Students receive a core text and supplementary FCE exam materials (These are included in the resources fee)

Location Queensland International Business Academy Level 2 Showcase-on-the-Beach, Coolangatta, Gold Coast, QLD 4225, Australia For further information contact the Director of Studies (Helmer Lich) or the Registrar (Simone Short) at QIBA on 07-55366650 or email to: dos@qiba.qld.edu.au or visit our website: www.qiba.qld.edu.au

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