Starting dates Every Monday In this programme, students will focus on the main exam areas: writing, listening, speaking, reading and use of English. First, participants will get a general introduction to the structure of the exam followed by a progressive development of language skills. Help and guidance is provided to each student wishing to enrol for an official Cambridge Examination. These programmes focus on the four main exam areas: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, Speaking. The courses begin with a general introduction to the overall structure of the examination, followed by a gradual development of the sub-skills: Reading and Use of English. Reading for detailed and specific information. Deducing unknown vocabulary from context. Justifying an answer. Interpreting an author’s overall opinion of a given topic. Familiarisation with and regular practice of each of the task types: Multiple-choice cloze, Open cloze, Word formation, Key word transformations, summary writing. Particular attention is paid to the following: Analysis of parts of speech and parts of a sentence. Lexical-grammatical focus– idioms, collocations, word semantics, synonyms, varying registers. Attention placed on language etymology – affixation (prefixes and suffixes) for word formation. Grammar – tenses and articles are among the most common issues for speakers of certain languages. Writing Part 1 - Compulsory task: Formal and informal letter and e-mail writing. Part 2 - Choice of 1 out of 4 - emphasis on writing essays, proposals, reports, short stories, reviews, articles, letters and e-mails (formal and informal). Text organisation (introduction and conclusion). General coherence - linking ideas and sentences appropriately. Listening Listening for gist and specific information - dates, times, prices etc. Task types: sentence completion, multiple-choices and multiple matching. Constant exposure to exam-style recordings e.g. monologues, two-way conversations, group discussions, etc. Emphasis is placed on the different native English-speaking accents. Recording scripts are subsequently analysed for vocabulary content. Speaking Examination of academic vocabulary and expressions for recurring discussion topics. Part 2: Focus on analysis and description of visual prompts (photographs). Part 3: Focus on interactive skills while collaborating and discussing visual aids, with the aim of responding to a given situation. Engaging in certain language functions such as speculating, justifying an opinion, negotiating and reaching consensus. Particular focus is placed on language accuracy and fluency. Regular simulations of the complete speaking exam in student pairs. Students will be carefully trained to complete each exam task in the specific allotted time and will practice transferring answers from exam booklets to the official exam answer sheet. All exam programmes offered by the school are structured in a way that builds students’ confidence through continual practice of exam-specific tasks, combined with regular designated exam practice days followed by detailed feedback provided to each student. Individual logs are kept of each student’s scores to highlight stronger skills and pinpoint weaker areas for further development. The aim of this is to show progression and to form the basis for assigning supplementary work to improve on these areas. Course specific data General course schedule 3 daily lessons of 60 minutes will take place within the following possible time slots. The exact schedule will be assigned on the first day of class according to your level: Morning: 9:00 - 10:45 Afternoon: 11:00 - 12:15 Possible course durations 1-25 weeks Required minimum language level Upper intermediate (B2) or higher Minimum required student age 18 years Students per class Maximum: 15 / Average: 11