Cambridge English: B2 First (FCE) Preparation

Section 1: Overview

Is this course for me?

This course is for students who need to improve the key language skills needed to score as high as possible in all parts of the Cambridge English: B2 First (FCE) exam.

Key Facts

Available in

London
Oxford
Los Angeles

Start dates:

Refer to table below

Entry level:

Intermediate (Kings Level 5)

Age:

Duration:

4, 10 or 12 weeks (depending on start dates and location)

Class size:

Maximum 14

Lessons per week:

28 lessons (21 hours) total

Included in the price:

28 lessons per week (21 hours)
Welcome Information Pack
Access to multi-format course materials
Placement test on arrival, weekly assignments, group participation and progress tests
Use of Computer Learning Centre
Free Wi-fi at school
Full access to Kings social programme, with at least two free activities per week
Full access to join Kings’ school clubs and societies
Optional weekly lecture programme
End-of-course certificate (90% or higher attendance required)

Please note exam fees are not included in the cost of the course.

Each school uses local exam centres and prices are subject to change but for 2023 they range between £175 and £210.

"We cover speaking, listening, grammar and use of English, so it's preparation in all areas. I like the structure of this course. It's very useful if you want to do FCE. It's good that the classes are not that big, the teachers can really focus on you."

Section 2: Course structure and content

London

28 lessons (21 hours) per week of Cambridge FCE exam preparation

Oxford and Los Angeles

20 lessons (15 hours) per week of General English
8 lessons (6 hours) per week Cambridge FCE exam preparation

Key features:

The Cambridge English: First preparation course is taught by specialist and experienced teachers.
The course syllabus has been specially designed to maximise students’ exam success and covers all papers of the exam.
Students will be given regular homework and will be expected to complete at least five hours of assignments each week.

Key areas covered include:

Communication skills

Conversational language skills
Listening and accents
Reading and interpretation
Writing and presenting

Linguistic resources

Building your vocabulary bank
Fine tuning your pronunciation
Interpretation of texts
Grammar and syntax

Study skills

Note taking and revision
Research skills
Time management and planning
Dictionary work
Learner autonomy

Cultural and personal development

Understanding cultural difference and similarity
Team work and leadership
Presenting an argument
Discussion skills

Exam technique and strategies

Working under exam conditions
Understanding the requirements of each section of the exam
Understanding what the examiner is looking for
Planning and reviewing your answers
Preparing mentally for exam day

Assessing progress

Students will be given homework tasks to complete every day, including writing practice.
In addition to homework tasks, students’ progress will also be monitored in class and they will complete a short test at the start of each week.
Students are given a number of opportunities to complete mock examinations under simulated exam conditions. The results of these mock exams will be used to help them improve in specific areas.

Section 3: About the Cambridge: B2 First (FCE) exam

The Cambridge English: First exam is an upper-intermediate level qualification, set at level B2 of the CEFR.
It offers proof that candidates have the language skills to live and work independently in an English-speaking country or to study on courses taught in English.
Candidates are tested in all four key skills and in ‘use of English’, and receive a separate score for each, as well as an overall score. A final grade and CEFR level are then assigned.

Course start dates

2024 start dates
8 January
10 weeks	London
11 March
12 weeks	London, Oxford, Los Angeles
6 May
4 weeks	London
1 July
4 weeks	London
29 July
4 weeks	London
16 September
12 weeks	Los Angeles
23 September
12 weeks	London and Oxford
18 November
4 weeks	London

2025 start dates
6 January
10 weeks	London
10 March
12 weeks	London and Oxford
6 May
4 weeks	London
30 June
4 weeks	London
28 July
4 weeks	London
22 September
12 weeks	London and Oxford
22 September
12 weeks	London and Oxford
17 November
4 weeks	London

Sample timetable

Please note:

Sample timetable is subject to change
Placement test, induction, locality walk and ice breaker activities, which take place on the students' first day at Kings, are an essential part of the teaching programme, included in the weekly hours of lessons.

28 lessons of Cambridge FCE preparation per week: taught in London

	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri
09:00 – 10:30 (Lessons 1 & 2) Cambridge First Exam (FCE) Preparation	Grammar and speaking Expressing likes and dislikes; preferences and propositions	Reading Multiple choice - Life Aboard a Space Station Vocabulary Phrasal verbs: understanding meaning and context	Vocabulary Holidays and travel Speaking Discussing holidays Listening Multiple choice - Holidays	Grammar Modal verbs of deduction Speaking Comparing photographs using modals of deduction	Writing Writing a review Grammar Question tags
10:30 – 11:00	Break	Break	Break	Break	Break
11:00 – 12:30 (Lessons 3 & 4) Cambridge First Exam (FCE) Preparation	Vocabulary Towns and villages Speaking Describing where you live Writing Writing an informal email	Grammar Future forms Speaking Future plans	Grammar Making comparisons Exam focus Use of English - sentence transformations	Word formation How to form and position adjectives and adverbs Exam practice Use of English - word formation	Writing Comparison of required register for articles and reviews
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
13:30 – 15:00 (Lessons 3 & 4) Cambridge First Skills: Special Interest Group (SIG)	Speaking Expressions, to agree and disagree Exam practice Speaking parts 1 and 3	Reading Understanding meaning from context and underlining key words	Listening Avoiding distractors; synonyms	Speaking Comparing and contrasting photographs; speaking about yourself and expressing preferences	Free time

20 lessons of general English + 8 lessons of Cambridge FCE Preparation per week: taught in Oxford and Los Angeles

	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri
09:00 – 10:30 (Lessons 1 & 2) General English	Progress test including listening and writing Individual and group feedback on test	Grammar Using ‘will’ and ‘shall’ in polite requests Pronunciation Open and closed questions (intonation) Professional skills Interviews.	Vocabulary Common idioms and phrasal verbs used to describe behaviour Reading, listening and writing Giving tips on how to behave in different situations	Listening Understanding how technology works Functional language Giving instructions Task-based learning (leadership and team work) Building a bridge	Grammar review ‘Will’, ‘shall’ and relative clauses Video Ted Talk: How to lead a conversation between people who disagree Discussion Beyond right and wrong?
10:30 – 11:00	Break	Break	Break	Break	Break
11:00 – 12:30 (Lessons 3 & 4) General English	Vocabulary Social behavior: Talking about norms and customs Discussion Understanding cultural differences	Video Phone addiction. Role-play Asking for and offering help Study skills Making effective notes	Real English People in the newspapers today Grammar Defining relative clauses Vocabulary Adjectives of character	Writing An email describing a new invention. Presentations A future without cars.	Vocabulary Diplomatic language Professional skills Giving and receiving feedback Discussion — Beyond right and wrong?
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
13:30 – 15:00 (Lessons 3 & 4) Cambridge First Skills: Special Interest Group	Speaking Expressions, to agree and disagree Exam practice Speaking parts 1 and 3	Reading Understanding meaning from context and underlining key words	Listening Avoiding distractors; synonyms	Speaking Comparing and contrasting photographs; speaking about yourself and expressing preferences	Free time