Cambridge English: First Preparation Course

– Student Handbook

Welcome to Action Language!

This handbook gives you information about studying with Action Language,

and about living in Tyne and Wear

You can contact the project manager, Nicola Brooks, by email –

nicolabrooks@actionfoundation.org.uk, or come to see us!

CastleGate Melbourne Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2JQ 0191 2313113

The Place Athenaeum Street

Sunderland SR1 1QX

0191 5670222

Follow us:

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Welcome to the Action Language preparation course for Cambridge English: First – we hope

you will both enjoy and benefit from this course which will be delivered by experienced

teachers from the Action Language team.

For the duration of the course you will meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from

10:00 to 13:00; this includes a 10-15 minute break in the middle of each class, allowing for

8.25 hours of class per week. The course runs from Tuesday 12 July to Thursday 1

September. There is a bank holiday on Monday 29 August when the school will be closed,

and lots of facilities in the city will be closed or running limited services.

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August Bank Holiday

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Course running Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:00-13:00

National bank holiday –no classes, many services closed or limited

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COURSE MATERIALS

We will be using “Compact First” by Peter May, published by Cambridge University Press, as the main course book. You will need a copy of this to follow the course as it will be used both during lessons and for homework, which is an important part of the course, and as such the cost of the book is included in the course fee. You will be given your book on the first day of the course, and should bring it with you to each class. Other course material will be provided but it would be wise to bring with you a folder, a notebook or paper, and writing materials.

LEARNING OUTCOMES AND COURSE CONTENT Through the course, students will:

Appreciate the Cambridge English: First exam structure

Use grammar and functional knowledge with increased confidence

Discuss various topics with others, expressing opinions and presenting arguments with increased confidence

Listen and understand conversations and monologues, extracting important aspects

Successfully understand texts and extract important content

Write formal essays and other texts Gain examination techniques and strategies Increase vocabulary for different examination

themes Develop writing and reading skills

The course will cover all four parts of the Cambridge English: First; reading and use of English, writing, listening and speaking, using a range of materials including test questions. You will cover the language (grammar, vocabulary etc.,) required for a good score in the exam, and in English generally at this level. The course will include homework and require home study, and will include advice on how you can work on your skills outside the classroom using test material and other methods (see TIPS below).

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ATTENDANCE

We expect all students to attend all classes. The reasons for this are:

Regular attendance is the best way to make progress.

Classes often follow a progressive pattern with revision/ review from previous lessons.

The following reasons for absence can be accepted as ‘authorised absences’:

Personal illness (a doctor’s note must be provided) or family illness/emergency

doctor, hospital, dentist appointments if they cannot be scheduled out of class time

appointments at universities etc.

If you are unable to attend a session then please inform us so that your teachers and colleagues are not kept waiting. The Action Language number is: 0191 2313113 or email info@actionlanguage.org.uk. Your teacher will not repeat classwork, but will try to give you enough information to catch up in your own time.

If you miss more than 3 classes without explanation, we will contact you by phone and/or email. It is not possible to offer refunds for classes which you do not attend.

To receive your certificate of attendance at the end of the course, you must attend at least 80% of the classes.

If your attendance drops below 50%, you may be asked to leave the course, as you will be unable to keep up with the progress made by the rest of the class.

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CLASSROOM AGREEMENT

If you are to make the most of this course, it is important that you respect those around you and follow some guidelines. If you do not, you will receive a warning and in some cases may be asked to leave the school.

Come to all the classes on time, with your course book, notes and pen(s).

Do not disturb the teacher or other students with your phone.

Speak in English.

Respect others.

o Respect the teacher. Listen, accept correction, and take part in classroom

activities.

o Respect other students. Listen, be polite, and respect other cultures and

different opinions.

o We respect others opinions, but extremist views and materials will not be

tolerated, and are inappropriate both in and out of the classroom.

o Inappropriate behaviour will be referred to the project manager and you will

receive a first a verbal, then a written warning. If this behaviour persists or in

serious cases students may be asked to leave the course, and the police may

be involved.

We believe in equality and diversity

Everyone is welcome

We believe in respect

Everyone is valued

We believe in tolerance and understanding

If you do not respect others, you may be asked to leave

Respect your classmates, and respect yourself

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Cambridge English: First

The Cambridge English: First assesses students who aim to be good independent users of English. We therefore recommend that students are ready to study at B2 level (UK Skills for Life ESOL level 1) before starting the course.

There are four parts to the Cambridge English: First exam, and these are equally weighted. When you do the exam, you will receive a result for each section.

The exam is targeted at Level B2 of the CEFR.

The examination also provides reliable

assessment at the level above B2 (Level C1)

and the level below (Level B1), so your

certificate can be awarded at different levels,

depending on your achievement.

Cambridge English: First – Level C1

Exceptional candidates sometimes show ability

beyond B2 level. If you achieve a scale score of

180–190 (grade A) in your exam, you will

receive the First Certificate in English stating

that you demonstrated ability at Level C1.

Cambridge English: First – Level B2

If you achieve a scale score of 160–179 (grade

B or C) in your exam, you will be awarded

the First Certificate in English at Level B2.

Level B1 certificate

It is important to recognise your achievement, even if you do not reach Level B2. If your

performance is below Level B2, but falls within Level B1 (scale score 140–159), your

achievement will be recognised with a Cambridge English certificate stating that you

demonstrated ability at Level B1.

It can be difficult to assess your own scores – Cambridge English markers are specially trained for this! Your teacher will help you to understand what you need to do to improve in the different areas which are assessed in speaking and writing, and we recommend recording the percentage on any practice listening or reading and use of English you do, in order to track your progress. More details about scoring and about the exam in general are available here - http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/181310-first-information-for-candidates-.pdf

© Cambridge English

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Writing assessment scale - © Cambridge English

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Speaking assessment scale - © Cambridge English

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When you do practice exam tasks in class or at home, try to record your scores so that you can see which parts you need to practise more, and track your improvement!

Date Paper Question type Score

EXAM STRUCTURE The CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: First is divided into the following sections. Try to practise

your timing:

READING AND USE OF ENGLISH

7 sections (52 questions) 75 minutes

WRITING 2 tasks

(140–190 words each) 80 minutes

LISTENING 4 sections (30 questions)

40 minutes

SPEAKING 4 Parts

14 minutes per pair of candidates

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Keep trying – the more you practise the more you will improve!

Date Paper Question type Score

CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: FIRST EXAMINATION

Action Language is not an examination centre, so you will have to take the exam at another centre. The nearest local centres are International House Newcastle, the Manchester Academy of English and Basil Patterson Edinburgh, where it will cost around £120-140. If you would like to do the exam somewhere else, please go to http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/find-an-exam-centre/index.aspx to find exam centres.

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TIPS

Your teacher will give you lots of advice about the Cambridge English: First throughout the course, but there are a few things you can start to do immediately which will help you to do well:

Read – try to read something every day. This should be something of a similar standard to exam reading texts (500-700 words), and if you find something which interests you, you’ll enjoy it more; try journals such as http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine or quality newspapers.

Listen – there are lots of podcasts and radio programs which will help you to improve your listening. Again, find something that interests you and see how much you understand and enjoy it! http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts

Review what you do – if you read or listen to something at home or in class, go back to it later and try to pick out some language you can use again. Make a list of expressions and challenge yourself to use them in conversation, or just write a few sentences of your own! You can also focus on the grammar used – listen/look out for passives or different ways of expressing the future.

Avoid lists of words – at this level, individual words are not enough. Try to record or write down chunks of language, like mini-phrases. This will help you to use them correctly later, e.g. lack there’s a lack of sunshine in Newcastle, he lacks the right vocabulary to explain.

Think in English – this can seem difficult, but use your ‘inner voice’ to practise. Imagine the conversations you might have in different shops, or describe to yourself what you can see, or your opinions on topics from newspapers etc. Try to make a daily time to do this, e.g. when you’re on the bus or metro, or walking home, or even brushing your teeth!

Get out and about – the more you go out into the English speaking world, the more you will hear and use English in your free time, and enjoy it!

Follow us on Facebook for ideas and local activities – www.facebook.com/actionlanguage .

Work with friends – talking about what you are learning is a great way to make it clearer to both you and the other person. You might be able to help each other, but even simply saying things aloud can help them to stick in your memory.

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OTHER INFORMATION

IN CASE OF FIRE

If there is a Fire Alarm you will hear a continuous bell ringing. Please follow your teacher

and the appropriate signage to the assembly point

CastleGate, Newcastle: Under the railway bridge and then right into the car park behind

The National Trust Holy Jesus Hospital, via the marked fire exits.

The Place, Sunderland: In front of the building, via the marked fire exits.

In the event of an alarm please leave the building quickly but without running. Please do

not return to the building until you have been given permission to do so by either the Fire

Service or members of staff.

RESTRICTED AREAS

Action Language shares the buildings with other organizations and therefore you should

only go to those areas that are identified to you. Please do not enter other areas or rooms

unless you are invited. At the beginning of the course you will be shown where toilets are,

and given information about where you can spend your breaks. Please note that the

buildings are non-smoking – smokers should go outside and either cross the road or move

around the corner so as not to block the reception doors.

COMPLAINTS

If you’re unhappy about something, please tell us.

You can speak to your teacher, reception or management. If you prefer you can make a

written complaint – you don’t have to put your name on it, it can be anonymous.

You can also email us on info@actionlanguage.co.uk, or

nicolabrooks@actionfoundation.org.uk .

After a complaint, a member of management will talk to you about a plan of action to solve

the problem.

Please speak to your teachers about class problems, they will respect your feedback. If you

think your level is wrong, or you would like to do more homework for example, please speak

to your teacher.

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LIVING IN TYNE AND WEAR

Action Language classes are in the centre of Newcastle and Sunderland, and are easy to

reach by public transport. The easiest way to plan your journey is here:

http://jplanner.travelinenortheast.info/nexus

You can also find car parking information here: http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/

Remember, cars drive on the left in the UK. Use crossings to cross the road when you are walking. Only cross when the green man is showing!

While you are here you can also join the local library – it’s free and everyone is welcome!

The biggest libraries are in city centres, but you can find out about all the libraries and the

services they offer in your area here - https://www.gov.uk/join-library

To find out about events in Tyne and Wear which you could enjoy, check out

http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/whats-on or our Facebook page!

Emergency numbers (free) – 999

999 - Police, Fire and Ambulance Service (112 - emergency number for EU, including UK)

UK Law: Read more about UK law on www.bbc.co.uk/crime/law

You must be 18+ to buy alcohol and cigarettes.

You mustn’t smoke in public buildings and also many entrances.

You mustn’t use, possess or sell illegal drugs.

You must not carry weapons (guns, knives, attack spray)

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Stay healthy...

If you feel too ill to come to school, email info@actionlanguage.org.uk or call the school.

For non-urgent medical advice (for a stomach ache for example), you can ask a

pharmacist/chemist (e.g. at Boots) or call the NHS (National Health Service) 24

hour helpline for free on 111 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

You may need to pay for NHS services. This depends on how long you stay and your visa;

you can find out more here: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/uk-

visitors/Pages/access-services-in-England.aspx

If you need non-urgent medical attention, you can go to;

1. A GP (local doctor’s surgery)

You need to register with your local GP and book an appointment. If you are in the UK

for less than 3 months, the surgery may accept you as a temporary resident. Take your

I.D and proof of address (e.g. a house contract) to register. If it’s an emergency,

sometimes you may not need to register but it’s better to register as soon as you can.

2. An NHS Walk-in centre

You don’t need an appointment but may need to wait a while to see the nurse or

doctor. You can find your nearest walk-in centre here - http://www.nhs.uk/Service-

Search/Walk-in-centre/LocationSearch/663

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WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE COURSE AND THAT IT LEADS TO A SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT AT THE CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: FIRST EXAMINATION

If you have any questions or are uncertain about any part of the course please do not

hesitate to discuss these with your teachers. However, if you require further help or advice

about any matter relating to the course or examination, or if you have any problems or

complaints, then please contact Nicola Brooks, the Action Language Project Manager, who

will be happy to help you.