Montevideo

FCE
Syllabus 2017

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A M E M B E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L H O U S E W O R L D O R G A N I S AT I O N
 Course Description
• FCE is a highly flexible and engaging course combining general language and skills
development with exam preparation. It is designed for teenagers, adults and young
adults who have achieved an upper intermediate level of English.

• Lessons are held twice a week for 2 hours per class. Furthermore, during the last
three months of the term students are given the opportunity to attend (free of charge)
extra classes which will give them practice in all the skills required to achieve a satis-
factory performance in the final examination (Cambridge FCE or IH B2 level).

Suggested Course Materials

• Ready for First 3rd Edition Coursebook - by Roy Norris. Macmillan
• Ready for First 3rd Edition Workbook - by Roy Norris. Macmillan
• First Testbuilder for the revised exam 2015 - Macmillan
• Language Practice for First 5th Edition - by Michael Vince. Macmillan
• First Practice Tests – Book 1 (For updated exam from January 2015). CUP
• Set books: from 2015 there will be no more set texts for Cambridge English: First, so
we will keep 2014’s as an example of possible books to be read to complement the
course. The set text for Cambridge English: First for Schools can be found below:
- First for Schools: The Eagle of the Ninth - by Rosemary Sutcliff

Course aims
• Promote English language learning by using topic-based activities which are cen-
tral to the immediate interests of students.

• This course optimises pre-exam revision time, focusing on key language areas and
practical tips on how to approach the different exam papers.

A M E M B E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L H O U S E W O R L D O R G A N I S AT I O N
 Course Assessment
• Written assessments: will be held in May and August (mock exam). The final written
exam can be the Cambridge English: First or the IH B2 level. All written tests will include the
following three sections: Reading and Use of English, Writing and Listening. ollowing
sections: Reading and Use of English, Writing and Listening comprehension.

• Oral assessments: will be held in May and August. The main emphasis of these
evaluations is on communication. Students will take these tests in groups of two or three.
The assessment will consist of four sections: an interview (answering basic personal
questions), a picture-based individual long turn, a collaborative task and a general
discussion based on the topic of the collaborative task. Providing plenty of practice in class
is essential.

• Class work, homework: will be taken into account as part of the course for teachers to
judge students’ work and progress throughout the course.

• Reports: teachers will write a report after each examination period. In them, they will
include the speaking and written papers results (in marks out of 40 each, with a grand total
of 200), an overall percentage with the corresponding concept (see chart below) and a
comment for the student about his/her performance.

• Promotion: Promotion will depend on the mark of the final assessment. The marking
scheme will be:

Marking scheme:

Passing grades
80 - 100% Grade A
75 - 79.5% Grade B
60 - 74.5% Grade C
Failing grades
Council of
45-59.5%
Europe level B2 Students who do not achieve a passing mark
0 - 44.5% Fail in the final assessment will be given a chance
to sit for it again in February.

Attendance Policy
In order to fulfil attendance requirements, students should attend at least 80% of the total
number of lessons.

A M E M B E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L H O U S E W O R L D O R G A N I S AT I O N
 The Cambridge English: First exam
Cambridge English: First (FCE) is a test of all areas of language ability.
The updated exam (for exam sessions from January 2015) is made up of four papers
developed to test candidates’ English language skills. You can see exactly what’s in each
paper below.
The Speaking test is taken face-to-face, with two candidates and two examiners. This
creates a more realistic and reliable measure of candidates’ ability to use English to
communicate.
Exam format at a glance:

PAPER CONTENT MARKS PURPOSE

(% OF TOTAL)

Reading and 7 parts / 40% Shows candidates can deal confidently with
Use of English 52 questions different types of text, such as fiction,
(1hr 15 min) newspapers and magazines. Tests their use of
English with tasks that show how well they can
control their grammar and vocabulary.

Writing 2 parts 20% Requires candidates to produce two different

(1hr 20 min) pieces of writing, such as letters, reports,
reviews and essays.

Listening 4 parts / 20% Requires candidates to be able to follow and

(About 40 min) 30 questions understand a range of spoken materials, such
as news programmes, presentations and
everyday conversations.

Speaking 4 parts 20% Tests candidates’ ability to communicate

(14 mins per pair effectively in face-to-face situations. They will
of candidates) take the Speaking test with one or two other
candidates.

A M E M B E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L H O U S E W O R L D O R G A N I S AT I O N
 FCE is an exam for people who can use everyday written and spoken English at an
upper-intermediate level. It is an ideal exam for people who want to use English for work or
study purposes.

FCE is at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

(CEFR) — an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability.
For example, at B2 level, typical users can be expected to:

• understand the main ideas of complex pieces of writing

• keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics, expressing opinions and
presenting arguments
• produce clear, detailed writing, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and
disadvantages of different points of view.

Preparation for FCE will provide candidates with practical language skills such as:

- Listening / Speaking: CAN follow or give a talk on a familiar topic or keep up a

conversation on a fairly wide range of topics.

- Reading: CAN follow or give a talk on a familiar topic or keep up a conversation on a fairly
wide range of topics.

- Writing: CAN make notes while someone is talking or write a letter including
non-standard requests.

A M E M B E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L H O U S E W O R L D O R G A N I S AT I O N
 Calendar - 2017

ASSESSMENT
HOLIDAYS
PARENTS MEETING
SPECIAL EVENTS (KIDS TO CH3)
LIBRARY

March 8th – 9th Start of classes

April 10th – April 15th Easter
April Use of the Library begins
April IH Club
April 17th National Holiday
May 1st National Holiday
May 22th National Holiday
May 17th – 18th May Oral Assessment
May 24th – 25th May Written Assessment
June Theatre
June 5th / 9th 1st parents’ meeting
June 3rd to July 8th Winter Holiday
July 18th National Holiday
August 5th Cambridge Mock Exams: FCE, CAE, CPE
August 12th Cambridge Mock Exams: KET, PET
August 16th – 17th August Oral Assessment
August 23rd – 24th August Written Assessment
August 25th National Holiday
August 28th /September 1st 2nd parents’ meeting/ International Exams meeting
September 18th - 23rd Spring Holidays
October 16th National Holiday
October 27th Halloween Celebration
November 2nd National Holiday
October 30th - November 16th Open Classes – Kids to CH3
November Use of the library finishes
November 29th – 30th Final Oral Assessment
December 6th – 7th Final Written Assessment
December 11th – 15th 3rd Parents Meeting

A M E M B E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L H O U S E W O R L D O R G A N I S AT I O N
EXAM GRAMMAR FUNCTIONS LEXIS WRITING TOPICS (Based on
PRACTICE Ready for FCE)
Reading and Use of - Habitual behaviour: - Family and - Lifestyles. Part 1 - Lifestyle
English tend to; frequency personal information - Get: expressions Writing essays on a - High Energy
adverbs; used to and (Paper 5 part 1) and meanings. range of topics, e.g. - A change for the
Multiple choice would - Clothes the environment. better?
lexical cloze - Be used to, get - Comparing Focus on agreeing or - A good story
The main focus is on used to and used to free-time activities - Music disagreeing with a - Doing whatever you
vocabulary, e.g. and hobbies. - Sport statement, giving have to
idioms, collocations, - Indirect ways of (Paper 5 part 2) information, giving - Relative relationships
fixed phrases, asking questions - Technology. opinion - Value for money
complementation, - Gerunds and - Types of holidays. - Up and away
phrasal verbs, infinitives. Deciding on an - Films Part 2 - Mystery and
semantic precision. end-of-year trip. - Take: expressions - Informal emails or imagination
- Comparisons (Paper 5, part 3) and phrasal verbs letters: replying to a - Nothing but the truth
Open cloze - Articles - Turn taking. request for - What on Earth’s
The main focus is on - The world of work. information, making going on?
awareness and - So and Such. - Favourite dishes suggestions and - Looking after yourself
control of grammar - Past tenses: Past and healthy eating. - Phrasal verbs invitations, giving - Animal magic
with some focus on simple, Past (Paper 5, part 4) - Describing people. advice. - Mind your language
vocabulary. continuous and used - Supporting your
to; Past perfect opinion. - Shopping - Formal emails or On-line resources.
Word formation simple and - Paraphrasing. letters: application, Grammar:
The main focus is on continuous. - Reasons for - Towns and villages complaint, http://www.oup.com/elt/
vocabulary, in studying abroad. transactional.
http://www.eslgold.com/
particular the use of - Ways of expressing (Paper 5, part 1). - Sleep
grammar.html/
affixation, internal obligation, necessity - Travel - Articles about a
changes and and permission - Environmental - Phrasal verbs range of topics, e.g. http://www.clarity.com.hk/
compounding in - Noun phrases threats. Your area in free-time activities. program/studyskills.htm
word formation. 20 years’ time. - Ways of looking
- Defining and - Useful phrases and Give: expressions - Reviews: films, Vocabulary:
Key word non-defining relative vocabulary and phrasal verbs books, gadgets, http://www.oup.com/elt/
transformation clauses (Paper 5, part 2) restaurants. http://www.lextutor.ca/
Focus on grammar, - Causative passive - Crime and - Using descriptive tests/
vocabulary and with have and get - Suitable jobs for punishment. adjectives.
collocation. students. - Paraphrasing http://www.englishlearning.
- Present perfect Suggesting, agreeing - Phrasal verbs - Essays on a range com/en/8in1.html
Multiple choice: simple and and disagreeing, of topics, e.g. the http://www.vocaboly.com/
Understanding continuous asking opinions. - Weather environment
detail, opinion, - Expressing (Paper 5, part 3) - Put: expressions - Linkers and http://www.easyesol.com/
attitude, tone, preferences - Working together and phrasal verbs sequencers. http://www2.rosettastone.
purpose, main idea, as volunteers. com/en/
gist, meaning from - Future forms and - Food and drink. - Reports, e.g. on
context, implication, time linkers. - Adventure sports - Health matters. sports activities in http://iteslj.org.cw/
text organisation and danger in your area. http://www.lingonet.com/
features - Modal verbs for sports. - The Arts. - Formal and
(exemplification, speculation and - Introducing an - Paraphrasing and informal styles. http://www.vocabster.com
reference). deduction opinion, explanation recording http://www.pearsondigital.
Gapped text - - Question tags or example. - Animals com/ellis/
sentences - Contrast linkers (Paper 5, part 4). - Verbs followed by
Understanding prepositions Communication skills:
coherence, cohesion - Too and enough. - TV tastes. Likes http://www.tesol.net/
and text structure. - Passives and dislikes - Phrasal verbs with penpals/
- Passive of reporting (Paper 5, part 1) turn.
Multiple matching verbs - Make and do. Exam practice:
Scanning and - Things that make http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce
locating information - so, neither and nor you happy.
http://www.cambridgeesol.
in a text: detail, - Conditionals. Speculating, using
org
opinion, specific vocabulary.
information, - Countable and (Paper 5, part 3)
implication uncountable nouns.
- Reported speech - Talking with foreign
- Reporting verbs visitors about
- Reported questions shopping.
- Teenage spending
- Hypothetical and pocket money.
situations - Who does the
shopping?

A M E M B E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L H O U S E W O R L D O R G A N I S AT I O N
EXAM GRAMMAR FUNCTIONS LEXIS WRITING TOPICS (Based on
PRACTICE Ready for FCE)
- Prepositions and - Speculating
gerunds (Paper 5, part 2).

- Compound - Being healthy.

adjectives - Health issues
- Expressing (Paper 5, part 4)
purpose
- Ability - Roles of animals in
our lives. Dangerous
animals.
(Paper 5, part 1)

- Choosing where to
live. Describing
somewhere you have
lived. Different
places to live
(Paper 5, part 2)

- Festivals.
Turn-taking
(Paper 5, part 3)

A M E M B E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L H O U S E W O R L D O R G A N I S AT I O N