If you are an UPPER INTERMEDIATE student, you have probably planned your studies with a view to obtaining an advanced level of English. Maybe you have chosen the usual path, following a regular course that will eventually take you where you want. Nobody wants to change a winning team, so if it’s working well for you and if you don’t intend to get an international certificate, I wholeheartedly suggest you keep up with the plan.
At this stage, however, lots of students lack motivation and end up taking a break or losing focus. Instead of compromising your progress, you could try something different: a B2 First preparation course! It will be a good fit and give you the necessary tools to pass a B2 Cambridge exam.
But I’m planning to take the C1 exam, not the B2
By attending a B2 First preparation course, not only will you learn from an extensive levelled material, but you will also get familiar with the format of Cambridge exams. How many papers are there? How long does the listening part take? What’s the assessment criteria? What’s expected from me in the speaking part? How can I write an article or a report?
Naturally, between the two examinations there are differences concerning timing, length and number of tasks. For instance, there are 7 tasks in the B2 Reading and Use of English paper, whereas in C1 Advanced there are 8. The word count in the C1 Writing paper is 220-260, whereas in B2 it’s 140-190. There are other obvious differences, due to the fact that they are set in different CEFR levels, but, overall, we can say they are quite similar.
Even if a B2 certificate is not what you are aiming for, remember that a high result in B2 First (results above 180 – grade A) will grant you a C1 level. All the better!
But I want to learn English, I don’t want to prepare for an exam
A B2 First preparation course is just as complete as a regular one.
In a B2 First preparation course, students will have the chance to review verb tenses, prepositions, conditionals and much more, to be used in real-life, meaningful conversations.
They will be constantly asked to produce different pieces of writing, to which they will get the necessary guidance and support, turning these skills into assets later on at their workplace.
Students will be trained to read and listen confidently to different types of texts and spoken materials and respond to them, supporting their opinions with facts in clear, consistent and sequenced sentences.
In other words, they will get top-notch practice in all four skills, getting ready not only for an examination, but also for school presentations, meetings, informal conversations, written communication, you name it.
Who can participate in a B2 First preparation course?
If you are reading this blog post without further difficulty, I imagine you are at the right level to start this incredible journey. However, to understand better what it takes to jump into it, take our free PLACEMENT TEST HERE and get your result immediately after.
For more information on the B2 First exam, visit Cambridge’s website on cambridgeenglish.org/exam-and-tests/first/ and check out all the free resources they have available (online activities, sample papers, games, writing booklet, checklist, etc).
Click HERE to find information on our Intensive B2 First online preparation course.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I will be happy to answer!
See you soon!
1 comment
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