Course outline / description

Transcription

1 Brief Course Description Cambridge First Certificate Exam (FCE) Preparation This program effectively prepares students for the Cambridge English: First examination. It includes the teaching of test practice strategies skills for all areas of the First exam. It is comprehensive and academically rigorous. The Cambridge English: First course puts equal weight on grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking and test taking strategies. The Cambridge English: First examination tests students on the following: Reading and Use of English Part 1: ability to read a short text and make use of vocabulary knowledge to fill in gaps within the text with the correct word from 4 multiple-choice options. Part 2: ability to read a short text and make use of grammar knowledge to fill in gaps within the text with the correct word Part 3: ability to read a short text and make use of English word formation to fill in gaps within the text with the correct form of a given word Part 4: ability to transform a given sentence into a second sentence with a similar meaning to the first using a key word that must appear in the second sentence Part 5: ability to read a text and answer multiple choice questions about main ideas, details, and vocabulary. Part 6: ability to demonstrate an understanding of text cohesion and structure by filling in a gapped text with its missing sentences which are provided in jumbled order. Part 7: ability to read several short texts on a similar topic find details in the texts to answer multiple matching questions Writing Part 1: ability to write a discursive essay between words Part 2: ability to write a word article, letter or (formal or informal), review, or report (students are provided with 3 choices and must choose 1 to write) Listening Part 1: ability to understand short excerpts of listening material (usually dialogues, messages, or short monologues) and answer multiple choice questions based on general ideas or details Part 2: ability to listen to and comprehend a short talk on a subject and fill in gapped sentences with missing information based on what they heard

2 Part 3: ability to listen to 5 different speakers speak on the same topic and answer multiple matching questions based on details of what they heard Part 4: ability to listen to an interview and answer multiple choice questions based on their comprehension of details Speaking Part 1: ability to deliver short answers to personal information questions Part 2: ability to speak for a minute using the language of comparison and answer a question based on two picture prompts Part 3: ability to initiate and continue a conversation with a partner based on a question and 5 written prompts Part 4: ability to use the language of opinion, agreement, and disagreement to answer discussion-based questions Course Prerequisites Textbooks Required for this Course All prospective students must take the Tamwood placement test, either onsite, via the agent or online. If the student places at Level 5 they are eligible for the Cambridge English: First course. Existing students can transfer from Level 5 or the end of Level 4. All text books and resources: Core text: Complete First by Guy Brook-Hart Supplementary texts: Complete First Workbook Objective First Workbook First Masterclass Common Mistakes at First Certificate Course Duration 12 weeks, 10 weeks, or 8 weeks Contact time: Monday-Friday 9-12, 1-3:00.

3 Student Progress/Assessment Methods The course will include one practice paper every Monday- so students and instructors are able to monitor student progress. Students are able to receive immediate feedback and it allows them to target areas of weakness for improvement. Attendance Expectations 80% Learning Objectives/Outcomes By the end of this course, students should be able to: -recognize their true level in grammar, speaking, reading, listening and writing -write discursive essays, formal and informal letters and s, articles, reviews, and reports -correctly use verb patterns for suggesting ideas and making recommendations -evaluate and self-correct their speaking -interact with a degree of fluency and accuracy with a native speaker so that both parties can participate equally in the conversation -accurately use language of comparison, agreement, and disagreement -be prepared for the mechanics of the Cambridge English: First

4 examination (time, order, format) -skim, scan and focus on target material in reading passages of up to 600 words -demonstrate enhanced vocabulary in writing and speaking -formulate, express and defend opinions using appropriate vocabulary -demonstrate improved listening skills for comprehension and details -use their knowledge of English grammar to express themselves with an upper intermediate level of accuracy in both written and spoken English Course details Week Topic 1 Reading and Use of English: Part 6 Surviving teenagers ; Part 2 Doing the chores ; Part 5 My first bike and Part 4: Key word transformations Writing: Part 1 essay; expressing opinions and using linking words of contrast Speaking: Part 1, speaking about yourself, your home, and your family; Part 2, comparing photos of free-time activities Listening: Part 1, young people talk about their families; Part 2, a talk by a games developer Grammar: Present perfect simple and continuous; making comparisons; adjectives with ed and ing Note: There are no practice exams during week 1 2 Reading and Use of English: Part 3 A bus journey ; Part 7 My nightmare holiday ; Part 6 Learning about food and Part 1 Moso Moso a restaurant review Writing: Part 2 Article; writing compound and complex sentences Speaking: Part 3, discussing the benefits of different kinds of trips; Part 4, discussing diet, food, and health Listening: Part 3, 5 young people talking about their holidays; Part 4, a radio interview with the owner of a popular cafe Grammar: Past simple, past continuous and used to; at, in, or on in time phrases; past perfect simple and continuous; so and such; too and enough Reading and Use of English exam: Monday; Writing exam (part 1 essay only): Tuesday, Speaking exam: Wednesday; Listening exam: 3 Reading and Use of English: Part 7 At school abroad ; Part 3 Culture shock for international students

5 Writing: Part 2 informal s; commonly misspelled words Speaking: Part 1, giving reasons, offering several possible ideas Listening: Part 1, people talking about studying and school Grammar: Zero, first and second conditionals part 2 article): Tuesday; Speaking exam: Wednesday; Listening exam: 4 Reading and Use of English: Part 5 Lucy s first job ; Part 2 A new summer programme Writing: Part 2 formal s, giving advice Speaking: Part 2, comparing photos of different kinds of work Listening: Part 3, 5 young people talking about their first job Grammar: Countable and uncountable nouns; articles part 2 informal ): Tuesday; Speaking exam: Wednesday; Listening exam: 5 Reading and Use of English: Part 6 Are you ready for an adventure race? ; Part 4: Key word transformations Writing: Part 2 Review Speaking: Part 3, discussing ways of encouraging people to do more sport, suggesting ideas, asking opinions, agreeing and disagreeing Listening: Part 2, a talk about adventure racing; Part 4, a radio interview with a paraglider Grammar: Infinitive and verb + -ing part 2 formal ): Tuesday; Speaking exam: Wednesday; Listening exam: 6 Reading and Use of English: Part 7 Five young actors ; Part 1 YouTube millionaire celebrities Writing: Part 2 Report Speaking: Part 4, discussing different aspects of media and celebrity, giving balanced, general answers Listening: Part 2, a talk about a television quiz show Grammar: at, in, on in phrases expressing location; reported speech part 2 review): Tuesday; Speaking exam: Wednesday; Listening exam: 7 Reading and Use of English: Part 5 The secrets of happiness ; Part 4: Key word transformations; Part 2 Shopping online versus shopping locally ; Part 5 My greatest influence Writing: Part 1 essay review Speaking: Part 2, comparing photos of different kinds of feelings and emotions,

6 speculating using like, seem and appear; Part 1, talking about how you spend your money Listening: Part 1, people talking about different aspects of psychology; Part 4, a student interview about a new shopping centre Grammar: modal verbs to express certainty and possibility; as and like; modals expressing ability part 2 report): Tuesday; Speaking exam: Wednesday; Listening exam: 8 Reading and Use of English: Part 6 What s it like to study medicine? ; Part 3 Is there a doctor onboard? Writing: Part 2 Article review Speaking: Part 2, comparing photos of situations related to health; strategies for dealing with difficulties: finding the right word Listening: Part 3: 5 people talking about finding the right doctor Grammar: Relative pronouns and clauses part 2 3 options): Tuesday; Speaking exam: Wednesday; Listening exam: 9 Reading and Use of English: Part 1 My sister s circus ; Part 3 Surviving an animal attack Writing: Part 2 review of informal and formal s Speaking: Part 3 and 4; discussing topics related to animals, commenting on the question, expressing other people s opinions Listening: Part 1, people talking about animals in different situations Grammar: Third conditional and mixed conditionals; wish, if only, and hope Speaking exam: Wednesday; Mock exam of all 3 written papers: ; Review of written exams: Friday 10 Reading and Use of English: Part 5 My new home in Venice, 1733 ; Part 2 Living on a Houseboat Writing: Part 2 review of reviews Speaking: Part 2, comparing photos of people in different locations Listening: Part 2, a talk about a haunted house Grammar: Causative have and get; expressing obligation and permission part 2 3 options): Tuesday; Speaking exam: Wednesday; Listening exam: 11 Reading and Use of English: Part 6 The world s highest festival? ; Part 3 My local festival Writing: Part 2 review of reports Speaking: Parts 3 and 4, discussing different topics related to festivals and celebrations

7 Listening: Part 4, a radio interview with a street performer Grammar: The passive part 2 3 options): Tuesday; Speaking exam: Wednesday; Listening exam: 12 Reading and Use of English: Review of various sections of the exam based on student feedback Writing: Final review of all writing topics, focusing on structure and style Speaking: Final review of weak areas Listening: Final review of all parts of the exam Grammar: Final review of tricky grammar points based on student input Speaking exam: Wednesday; Mock exam of all 3 written papers: ; Review of written exams: Friday