P a g e | 1

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)


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.)

o 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)
**CEFR Proficiency levels
C1 Advanced C2 Mastery
B1 Intermediate B2 Upper-Intermediate
A1 Beginner A2 Elementary


P a g e | 2

Cambridge FCE exam preparation
Overview and Course Dates
o 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)

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












***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
12 week course costs
Registration $220
Resources*** $180
Course Fee $3,360
(12 weeks)
Total $3,760
(Additional Exam fee $ 390)