FCE Resources from Garnet

By Andrew Betsis and Lawrence Mamas

What is the FCE?• The Cambridge First Certificate in English.• An internationally recognized Cambridge

ESOL examination at Level B2 of the CEF.• Passing FCE means that candidates are able

to use English in real life situations with confidence.

• FCE tests all four skills, reading, writing, listening and speaking, plus candidates’ use of grammar and vocabulary.

What is the FCE?• The FCE was recently revised and updated.• It has been reduced in length, but focuses on

a wider range of skills and functions.• The Writing test reflects modern, relevant

writing practices.• Other tests have been simplified to aid

teaching and revision practices.• A full explanation of the 2008 revised format

of the FCE is included in both titles.

New FCE PapersReading: 1 hour

Candidates need to be able to understand information in fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines.

Writing: 1 hour 20 minutesCandidates have to show they can produce two different pieces of writing such as a short story, a letter, an article, a report, a review or an essay.

Use of English: 45 minutesUse of English is tested by tasks which show how well candidates control grammar and vocabulary.

FCE PapersListening: 40 minutes

Candidates need to show they can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material, including news programmes, speeches, stories and anecdotes and public announcements.

Speaking: 14 minutesCandidates take the Speaking test with another candidate or in a group of three, and are tested on their ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidates and by themselves.

Get Ahead in FCE

Preparation for the Cambridge First Certificate in English

Get Ahead in FCE• Level: Upper Intermediate• CEF: B2• IELTS: 5.0 to 6.5

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Key Features• Ideal exam preparation for the revised

Cambridge FCE (2008 format).• Learner training component for development

of study techniques.• Extensive coverage of vocabulary, set

phrases, idioms and phrasal verbs.• Reading and listening texts in a variety of

genres, topics and styles.

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Key Features• 120 hours of content.• Pronunciation development.• Mapped to the Common European

Framework (CEF).• Full teaching notes.• 2 Audio CDs.

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Course Book10 thematically based units each containing:• A lead-in section with speaking activities. • The three parts of Paper 1: Reading with

additional classroom activities for each reading text.

• A variety of Vocabulary exercises, including practice on easily confused words.

• A mini Use of English test at the end of each unit.

Course Book10 thematically based units each containing:• FCE-specific speaking activities to help

students increase their fluency and accuracy.• FCE-specific writing tasks with additional

exercises and writing tips.• FCE-specific listening, plus listening support.Course Book also contains:• Book map• Audio transcripts

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Units

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ComponentsTeacher’s Book contains:• Detailed teaching and

methodology notes.• Book map

Practice Book contains:• Additional activities for

students to practise learned skills.

Components• Student's Book with 2 audio CDs • Practice Book• Teacher’s Book

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Reviews• ‘The text has excellent themes, concise

instructions and delivers what it promises. I think my students will be as excited by it as I am!’– Colleen Swinemar, St Mary's TESL Centre, Halifax,

Canada for IATEFL VOICES October 2010

Succeed in Cambridge FCE: 10 Practice Tests

Key Features• Provides 10 complete practice tests for the

revised Cambridge FCE.• Reflects the actual level of difficulty of the

revised format of the FCE.• Provides comprehensive coverage of all five

papers of the FCE Test: Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening and Speaking.

• The tests have been trialed under real exam conditions with FCE candidates.

Key Features• A wide range of thematically-based units

help students build the vocabulary required.• Audio recordings are presented in the same

format as the Listening exam.• Focuses language learning on the skills

needed to communicate more effectively in real life.

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Units1. Travel & Holidays2. Jobs3. Art & Culture4. Health5. Sport6. Entertainment & Leisure7. Food8. The Environment9. Education10. Homes & Houses

ContentStudent’s Book also contains:• 5 audio CDs• Explanation of the FCE Revised 2008 Format• Speaking Section• Transcripts

Components• Student's Book & audio CDs (x5) • Teacher’s Book

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Questions• What does FCE stand for?

First Certificate in English.

• What is the difference between Get Ahead and Succeed?Get Ahead is preparation, Succeed is practice tests.

• At what level is the FCE exam?Upper-intermediate, CEF B2/IELTS 5.0–6.5.

• How many papers are there in the FCE exam?5. Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening and

Speaking.