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Examination Preparation Courses
EXAMINATION PREPARATION COURSES
All examination preparation courses follow the same timetable as the General English Plus Options Course, 23 hours tuition per week in classes with a maximum of 10 students per class (12 in July / August). However, in reality these classes are much smaller. From January to June and from September to December- the average is 5/7. Classes take place every morning from Monday to Friday inclusive and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Monday and Friday afternoons are free for private study and examination practice using past papers.
You will be tested before you join the class to ensure that you have the appropriate level for the course and you will then work closely with the other students and your teacher to make sure that you are fully prepared and ready to take the exam you have chosen.
Although we recommend that you study for 10/12 weeks to prepare for FCE, CAE and CPE, it is possible to join the class for shorter periods, even for the final 3 weeks of the course. Students studying for shorter periods will receive advance information on preparation for the course. You will be tested in advance with our online diagnostic test.
Our Examination class teachers are all highly experienced in teaching the exam syllabus. They are dedicated teachers who are committed to helping you get the best possible result.
FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC and IELTS can all be taken in Torquay.
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE EXAMINATIONS recognised by Universities and Employers throughout the World
Which is the right examination for you?
First Certificate in English (FCE)
FCE is an intermediate level exam at level B2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Choose FCE if your knowledge of English is adequate for many practical everyday purposes, including business and study. To be successful, you will have a wide grasp of vocabulary, and be able to construct an argument and use appropriate communication styles for a variety of situations. You also need to show an awareness of register and of the conventions of politeness and degrees of formality as they are expressed through language.
Why take FCE?
FCE is ideal if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career which requires language skills (e.g. business, medicine, engineering). FCE indicates sufficient proficiency in English to be of practical use in clerical, secretarial and managerial jobs in many industries, in particular tourism, where contact with English speakers is required. Successful candidates have the ability to deal with routine letters and telephone enquiries, and to cope with some non-academic training courses and simple textbooks and articles. Exam Fee £112 approx.
Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
CAE is the second highest level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Choose CAE if you are reaching a standard of English that is adequate for most purposes, including social and professional situations, and in higher education. CAE recognises the ability to communicate with confidence in English and deal with most aspects of everyday life.
Why take CAE?
CAE is ideal if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career which requires language skills (e.g. business, medicine, engineering). It is also useful preparation if you are working towards CPE . Studying for CAE helps you to improve your language skills and use them in a wide range of contexts. The exams are based on realistic tasks, and indicate the ability to use the language in practical situations. If you are successful, you'll be able to participate in meetings and discussions, expressing opinions clearly, and be able to understand and produce texts of various types, including business letters and reports. You'll also be more than capable of following university courses taught in English. Exam Fee £112 approx
Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
CPE is the highest level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level C2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. If you are able to function effectively in almost any English-speaking context and are approaching a standard of English similar to that of an educated native speaker, then this is the exam for you. Success at this level represents a significant personal achievement.
Why take CPE?
CPE is ideal if you want to work or study abroad, or to develop a career which requires language skills (e.g. business, medicine, engineering. While studying for CPE you will be improving your language skills and learning to use them in a wide range of contexts. As many aspects of the exams are based on realistic tasks, a CPE certificate shows that you have progressed beyond a good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and can actually use the language in real contexts. Exam Fee £100 approx.
The Business English Certificates (BEC)
The Business English Certificates (BEC) are internationally recognised qualifications that show employers your skills for using English in the workplace.
BEC is an ideal English language exam if you are preparing for a career in business. There are three different levels of BEC: BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC Higher.
Is BEC for you?
If your English language ability is sufficient for most simple communications, such as shopping, you may consider progressing towards BEC. You should have an understanding of, or interest in, the world of work, business and commerce.
Why take BEC?
More than ever, a good knowledge of English is needed to succeed in international business and commerce. If you can show you have relevant language skills, you'll have a great advantage in the jobs market and much greater flexibility if you want to work abroad.
BEC can help you show that you have learned English to an appropriate standard and can use it in a business context.
The BEC exams are aligned with Levels B1 to C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages — an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. The framework uses six levels to describe language ability, from A1 to C2. 'Can Do' statements have been used to describe these levels in terms of real skills with language, such as being able to write a report, or take a telephone message. This means that preparing for BEC will help you develop real-life skills and the confidence to use them.
The BEC Exam Fee is £115 approximately and you can take the exam here in Torquay.
Small Classes for Exam Courses
Students sometimes ask us what happens if there are very small classes. We always guarantee to run the full-time 23 hour course if there are 3 students or more enrolled on the course. If there are only 1 or 2 candidates then you will be in a General English class at your level for 18 hours per week and for the remaining 5 hours you will have a very intensive 1-1 or 2-1 class. These private sessions will be exclusively devoted to exam preparation and you will find this method is very successful.
COURSE AND EXAM DATES
Try to study with us for at least 10 weeks, but if you can't, then you may study in the Cambridge Exam classes for shorter periods. If you study for a very short period then you will need to prepare yourself beforehand and we will advise you on how to do this. Please note, however, that the summer exam courses are a fixed period of 5 weeks.
The dates shown below are the full periods for 2011 but to see more course dates and late entry details see the 2011 and 2012 Exam Calendars.
Dates shown below are Cambridge Main Suite Exam dates
|
FCE COURSE DATES |
EXAM DATE |
|
Between 2 January & 9 March 2012 |
10 March 2012 |
|
Between 2 April & 8 June 2012 |
12 June 2012 |
|
23 July to 24 August 2012 / 5 week course |
23 August 2012 |
|
Between 24 September & 30 December 2012 |
4 December 2012 |
|
CAE COURSE DATES |
EXAM DATE |
|
Between 2 January & 9 March 2012 |
15 March 2012 |
|
Between 2 April & 8 June 2012 |
13 June 2012 |
|
23 July to 24 August 2012 / 5 weeks course |
24 August 2012 |
|
Between 24 September & 30 November 2012 |
5 December 2012 |
|
CPE COURSE DATES |
EXAM DATE |
|
Between 2 January & 9 March 2012 |
16 March 2012 |
|
Between 2 April & 8 June 2012 |
14 June 2012 |
|
Between 24 September & 30 November 2012 |
6 December 2012 |
Make sure you book accommodation and flights for the day after the examination date.
Two of the TIS teachers before the exam.....
And... after all of their students have passed!
Other Examinations
Cambridge Business English Certificate - BEC
Preparation courses for BEC Preliminary, Vantage and Higher are available at most times of the year and the exam can be taken here in Torquay. For further information write to dean@tisenglish.co.uk
IELTS - The International English Language Testing System www.ielts.org> We constantly prepare students for the Cambridge IELTS.
There is an IELTS Options available almost all year round at TIS and you can join this option as part of the General English Options Course at almost any time. IELTS is accepted by almost all British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand colleges and universities. It is also increasingly recognised in North American academic institutions as well as many professional organisations such as the UK General Medical Council and the UK Ministry of Defence. Exams are held locally every month. 2012 Test dates and locations for students at TIS are shown here.
Grades are banded on a scale of 1-9 and the majority of universities are looking for at least 6/7 for entry to a degree programme. Foundation courses require a lower grade of at least 4.5. Enrolment should be made on the General English Plus Options - IELTS. IELTS is recommended for long stay students intending to go on to further and higher education in English speaking countries.
IELTS Test Fee – approximately £135 for 2012.
TOEIC - The Test of English for International Communication
TOEIC is a multiple-choice English language test for people whose native language is not English. It measures their English listening comprehension and reading comprehension skills in an international environment. The scores indicate how well people can communicate in English with others in the global workplace. This test is highly suitable for candidates needing an assessment of their level in English for career purposes.
TOEIC is the most accessible test that we offer – we only need 10 days notice and as we are a TOEIC test centre and the test is takenhere in the school and takes a total of 2 hours. TOIEC entrance fee will be £110 approximately. We offer TOEIC preparation as an option for a period of up to 4 weeks before the exam date.
If you would like more information about preparation for any of the above examinations and tests then write to study@tisenglish.co.uk TOEIC, FCE, CAE and CPE are all taken in Torquay. Depending on the exam date IELTS is taken in Torquay, Plymouth or Exeter.
Nota Bene: we do not close on public holidays – classes as usual. Students on examination courses will get their full tuition hours every week including Easter Friday and Easter Monday and the May bank holidays.
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