Cambridge English B2 First (FCE) – Course Overview for Parents
What Is B2 First?
Cambridge English: B2 First (FCE) is an upper-intermediate qualification recognised worldwide.
It’s designed for students who already use English confidently and want to develop more advanced skills for study, work, or travel.
At this level, learners can express opinions clearly, understand complex ideas, and write in different styles.
What Students Learn
Vocabulary Topics
- Education, study, and careers
- Travel, adventure, and culture
- Health, fitness, and lifestyle
- Science, technology, and media
- Environment and global issues
- Relationships, emotions, and personality
- Abstract themes: success, goals, creativity
Grammar Coverage
- All key tenses including perfect and continuous forms
- Passive voice (all tenses)
- Reported speech
- Relative clauses
- Conditionals (1st–3rd, mixed)
- Modals in the past (should have, might have)
- Advanced comparatives and linking words
- Phrasal verbs, collocations, idioms
Skill Development
Reading: Understanding long articles and identifying opinions or tone.
Writing: Essays, articles, reviews, formal letters, and reports.
Listening: Longer interviews, discussions, and talks.
Speaking: Discussing abstract ideas, comparing photos, expressing and justifying opinions.
Exam Expectations (Optional)
If your child takes the B2 First (FCE) exam, it includes:
- Reading and Use of English (75 mins): Grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension tasks.
- Writing (80 mins): Two pieces of writing in different styles (essay plus another type).
- Listening (40 mins): Longer and more complex recordings.
- Speaking (14 mins): Discussion, comparison, and collaborative tasks with a partner.
This exam is widely recognised by schools, universities, and employers around the world.
Please note, I do not offer the exam, just the required teaching to enable students to confidently take the exam.
Prior Knowledge Needed
Students should already be confident at B1 Preliminary (PET) level and comfortable using English in conversation and writing.
If you’re unsure, you can book a levelling session to confirm the most suitable starting point.
Why Choose This Course?
Develops advanced communication and exam skills
Recognised qualification for education and work
Encourages independence, fluency, and confidence
Individual or small-group lessons available
Optional extra materials for home study
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