University of Cambridge Examination Preparation Courses

The Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) examinations are known and recognised by universities, employers and national education authorities throughout the world.

Every year more than one million people take Cambridge ESOL exams in order to improve their employment prospects, seek further education, prepare themselves to travel or live abroad, or to acquire an internationally recognised certificate.

English exam preparation course structure

Cambridge Examination Courses are intensive courses consisting of 5 or 6 English lessons per day. In the morning, students join our group English lessons where focus is placed on improving students' general English language skills. Lessons provide exam practice in the four English skills; speaking, listening, reading and writing and thereby provide invaluable general training for English exams.

In the afternoon, students can choose to take either 5 or 10 One-to-One lessons per week where attention is now focused exclusively on examination preparation. These lessons are based on papers from past exams and examination course books to train students for each examination module. The teacher will also focus on exam techniques. Throughout the course students get hands-on practice for their test by sitting for past exam papers.

Examination Preparation Course Details

• Cambridge English: Preliminary (also known as Preliminary English Test
  (PET) - for students at intermediate / B1 level)
• Cambridge English: First (FCE) (also known as First Certificate in
  English - for students at upper-intermediate / B2 level)
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (for students at advanced Level / C1)
• Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) ( also known as Certificate of
  Proficiency in English - for students at proficiency / C2 level)
• Lessons held from 09:00 - 10:30, 11:00 - 12:30, 13:00 - 14:30
• Examination Fees and Transfers are not included in the price of the Cambridge Examination Preparation Courses

PET - Preliminary English Test (Intermediate Level, CEFR B1)

An excellent choice for a first official English qualification, the PET Exam was designed by Cambridge to prove that students can communicate effectively at an Intermediate Level of English. As such, this qualification is useful for students pursuing careers in sectors such as tourism, retail and hospitality or for administrative, clerical and secretarial work. Our Courses are designed to improve the skills on which you will be tested in the exam. Students will receive tuition in the four skills tested during the PET examination; Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. You will learn how to read a text for important information, learn how to write a short text with a good level of English and listen to conversations and announcements for information. You will also be given additional practice for the speaking section of the exam in individual and class contexts to improve your confidence and ability in this section of the PET exam.

KET - A2 Key

An A2 Key qualification is proof of your ability to use English to communicate in simple situations. The exam tests all four English language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking. It should give you the confidence to go on and study for higher-level exams such as B1 Preliminary and B2 First. An A2 Key certificate shows that you can:understand and use basic phrases and expressions, understand simple written English, introduce yourself and answer basic questions about yourself
interact with English speakers at a basic level.

FCE - Cambridge First (Upper-Intermediate Level, CEFR B2)

Officially recognised as an upper-intermediate qualification in English, FCE certificates are accepted by schools, colleges and employers throughout the world. The exam is structured to test the four English skills at an Upper-Intermediate or B2 Level. There are five sections to the FCE exam; Writing, Listening, Reading, Use of English and Speaking. Working exclusively with FCE Course Books, materials and past papers, students are prepared to achieve a successful result in each section of the exam. On completion of this course, you will be able to analyse a complex text for information and have a fairly fluent level of spoken English. You should be able to express your opinions verbally as well as present a written argument at a high level of English. Vocabulary and the correct use of grammar and structures are also taught throughout the FCE Course to help you gain that desired high score on your final test.

CAE - Certificate in Advanced English (Advanced Level, CEFR C1)

An international certificate recognised by universities and employers throughout the world, a CAE qualification provides hard evidence of the high level of English you have achieved. The CAE exam is challenging and CAE courses at Alpha School of English are similarly demanding but also rewarding. The objectives of this course are; to improve students' ability to read and comprehend written texts quickly and at an academic level, to write well-structured, detailed and clear pieces in a variety of styles and at an advanced level of English, discuss and write about a piece of literature, to understand complex arguments and opinions, speak at a fluent level of English in a range of social contexts including social, academic and professional environments. The CAE exam tests these skills across 5 exam papers; Listening, Reading, Writing, Use of English and Speaking.

CPE - Cambridge Proficiency (Proficiency Level, CEFR C2)

The highest qualification in English as a foreign language offered by the Cambridge ESOL board, a CPE qualification is your ticket into universities and businesses around the globe. A CPE certificate is the equivalent of C2 on the European Framework of Reference for Languages. Students at this level are required to show proficient levels of English across a broad range of situations. The CPE exam will also test students' abilities to understand the finer points of the English Language. The CPE Exam consists of five papers which test students Reading, Writing, Listening, Use of English and Speaking skills. Students are also required to be able to express themselves fluently, precisely and capably across a range of social, professional and academic contexts. Having followed the CPE Exam Preparation Course at Alpha School of English, students will have the ability to understand easily almost everything they hear or read, understand and use colloquial language, make accurate and complete notes on complex presentations, be able to handle the use of English in sensitive situations and express themselves fluently in a variety of social, professional and academic situations. (This course is only offered at a higher English level so book a One-to-One Course)

View examination dates here (Malta is Zone 3)