Cambridge Mainsuite Courses and Examinations
The Cambridge Exams
Cambridge Main-suite exams are a series of English Language exams used world-wide to assess participants level of English for professional and recreational purposes. They are often required as evidence that an individual’s language is adequate for overseas study and lecturing and in commerce. They can also be equated to an IELTS score required as a part of the immigration process to a number of countries. Once achieved, a Cambridge language qualification is valid for life.
The Aim
The aim of these courses is to prepare candidates for the appropriate level of exam, according to their language level and professional requirement.
UM delivered Cambridge courses at all levels cover all aspects of the English language: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing and Use of English. They are designed to improve the students’ level of English by at least a half level on the Common European Framework and to introduce the practical use of language and improve all areas of performance.
Participants can expect to improve in the following areas:
- Speaking: develop the ability to speak on a range of familiar and unfamiliar subjects, to use accurate and appropriate language to express simple and complex ideas and concepts. To improve accent and fluency, reduce hesitation and widen the range of vocabulary.
- Listening: listen to authentic spoken texts in a variety of native English accents and to identify both general and detailed information ranging from administrative details to nuance and underlying meaning. To accurately describe or paraphrase the information received.
- Reading: read a range of text genres and to identify tone and meaning as well as detailed use of vocabulary. The ability to summarise two texts into one summary (at proficiency level only).
- Writing: develop the ability to write accurately and persuasively in a range of different genres such as essays, formal letters, reports and proposals. Understand and produce improved structure and coherence in written texts.
- Use of English: expand vocabulary and grammatical structures, using a wider range of metaphors, real expressions and authentic colocations. Develop a feel for grammatical structures and be able to use accurate grammar in written texts.
The practical transferable benefits: Successful participants will improve on the above skills, which will in turn give them confidence in their written and spoken language. They will improve their ability to write accurate letters and e-mails, produce short reports and incorporate accurate grammatical forms and authentic expressions. Attendance on this course invariably improves participants’ ability to write effectively in their native language. They will also improve their ability to understand a variety of accents and negotiate meaning and seek clarification where necessary. The speaking element, while not directly focussed on telephone skills, will improve the ability to give clear information and conduct negotiations on the telephone. Participants will also be able to read and understand more complicated texts and extract deeper meaning and nuance and, at proficiency level, summarise and paraphrase multiple texts into one.
Target Audience: Cambridge courses are particularly suitable for the following:
- Students from outside the EU wishing to study in European Higher Education (CAE)
- Teachers and lecturers required to teach in English, either in the Netherlands and particularly wishing to teach abroad in English (CPE)
- Support officers, policy makers etc. required to deal with external agencies in relation to education and international administration (CPE or CAE)
- Support officers, policy makers etc. required to deal internally with non-Dutch speaking students or staff (FCE).
The courses
Courses are designed to run over 24 weeks with one two-hour session per week. Participants will be required to do at least 2 hours of private study per week.
Courses are designed for:
Cambridge Proficiency exam (CPE)
Cambridge Advanced exam (CAE)
Cambridge First Certificate exam (FCE)
Entry requirements
Candidates are required to attend an intake interview prior to the course. It is important that they attend a course aimed at the exam at the right level. Misplaced students not only upset their own learning, but also negatively affect the dynamics of the remainder of the group.
Quick exam preparation course
Candidates whose language is already well up to the level required, have two options. They can attend a short course or can be individually coached. Please refer to ‘Cambridge Examination Training - Short course’ and ‘individual coaching’ respectively for more information.
Literature
| Course | Essential requirement |
|---|---|
| FCE | Objective First Certificate Self-study Student's Book. Second edition (ISBN: 978-0-521-70064-1) |
| Author: Capel, A. & Sharp, W. | |
| CAE | Objective CAE. Self-study Student's Book. Second edition (ISBN: 978-0-521-70057-3) |
| Author: Felicity O'Dell & Annie Broadhead | |
| CPE | Objective Proficiency Self-study Student's Book (ISBN: 978-0-521-00031-4) |
| Author: Capel, A. & Sharp, W. | |
Fees (excl. exam costs)
- FCE: €1065
- CAE: €1295
- CPE: €1295
Dates
Courses can begin 3 times a year as follows: Beginning of Oct 2011 for exams in June 2012; February or March 2012 for exams in December 2012; and May 2012 for exams in March 2013.
| Dates | Times |
|---|---|
| FCE: code E-FCE | |
| tba | |
| CAE: code E-CAE | |
| 28 February 2012 - end 2012 | Tuesday 08:30-10:30 |
| CPE: code E-CPE | |
| 29 February 2012 - end 2012 | Wednesday 16:00-18:00 |
Registration
Please register using our online registration form
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