Our Cambridge B2 First (previously called the Cambridge English: First, or FCE) examination course at ELC Brighton is designed to improve your overall language ability, in addition to developing the language skills necessary to pass the Cambridge B2 First exam. The course provides complete and careful preparation for all aspects of the examination.
The Cambridge B2 First English was formerly known as Cambridge English: First, or FCE. A B2 First qualification demonstrates to potential employers and educational institutions that you possess the English language abilities to live and work in a country where the primary language is English, or take classes and study in courses that are provided in English.
B2 is the third highest qualification on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) scale, and shows you are skilled enough in English to work and live independently in an English-speaking country or organisation.
The Cambridge B2 First English examination preparation course is perfect if you wish to attain Cambridge’s third highest level qualification and prove your independent language skills.
* Minimum age: please see more information regarding levels of care and supervision for 16 and 17 year olds in international classes. We occasionally accept 15 year olds in international classes provided they are part of a group with a group leader.
All B2 First preparation courses include:
We offer a long-course and a short-course format, depending on when in the year you would like to prepare for the Cambridge B2 First exam:
The longer 10-week and 12-week courses lead up to the final B2 First exam in March, June and December. You can choose either 25 lessons (18.75 hours) or 30 lessons (22.5 hours) per week.
With the 30 lessons-per-week option, the extra 5 lessons per week allows you to focus on a particular area of general English that you need extra help with for the exam such as:
The shorter 4-week course is available in the summer, to prepare you for the final exam in July or August. The short B2 First English preparation course is only available as 30 lessons (22.5 hours) per week and all 30 lessons focus on the language, vocabulary, grammar and skills you will need specifically for the exam.
In 2024 you may choose from:
| Dates | Duration | Intensity | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Jan – 15 Mar | 10 weeks | 25/30 lessons per week | 15 March |
| 18 Mar – 07 Jun | 12 weeks | 25/30 lessons per week | 04 June |
| 01 Jul – 26 Jul | 4 weeks | 30 lessons per week | 25 July |
| 29 Jul – 23 Aug | 4 weeks | 30 lessons per week | 22 August |
| 09 Sept – 29 Nov | 12 weeks | 25/30 lessons per week | 26 November |
If you have the intention of staying in Brighton to study English with us for 24 weeks or more, the B2 First English Exam Preparation Course can be taken as part of our Study Year Programme.
| Course options | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25/30 lessons | 09:00–10:15 | 09:00–10:15 | 09:00–10:15 | 09:00–10:15 | 09:00–10:15 |
| 25/30 lessons | 10:45–12:15 | 10:45–12:15 | 10:45–12:15 | 10:45–12:15 | 10:45–12:15 |
| 25/30 lessons | Lunch break | ||||
| 25/30 lessons | 13:15–14.30 | 13:15–14.30 | 13:15–14.30 | 13:15–14.30 | |
| 30 lessons | 14:35–15:30 | 14:30–15:30 | 14:35–15:30 | 14:35–15:30 | |
| 1 ‘lesson’ = 45 minutes. Lessons are usually combined into larger units of time. | |||||
This course is the ideal option for you if you want to pass the Cambridge B2 First examination (previously known as the FCE), and you intend to take the exam straight after the course.
You need to be over 16 years old, and you should already be at CEFR B1 to CEFR C1+ level of English language ability.
The exams are held in Brighton and run by Sussex Open Centre for Examinations (SOCE) in March, June, July, Aguust and December.
Please note: in some cases the written exam takes place on the Saturday immediately after the course. The oral exam is usually on a Saturday or Sunday during the course. Please contact us for details.
Our Exam preparation courses start on set dates for 4, 10 or 12 weeks. If you are planning to study for longer it is also possible to combine different courses General English and Exam preparation. Please ask for more details.
Our exam preparation courses are full time intensive courses in dedicated classes focussing on IELTS or Cambridge First, Advanced or Proficiency. You study for your chosen exam in the morning and afternoon. The courses have fixed dates that finish with the possibility to take your chosen exam. There is always a 'mock' exam under exam conditions before the real exam so you can get an idea of what the exam will be like and get feedback on what you need to improve.
We book the exam with the test centre in the first weeks of the Cambridge course so you will have plenty of time to see how you are getting on and what is best.
The C1 Advanced exam is no walk in the park, and careful preparation is the key to success. In Brighton we've run this course successfully for many years.
The Cambridge C2 Proficiency exam represents the pinnacle of English language learning. Our course in Brighton will help get you ready for the ultimate test.
Prepare for your IELTS exam in Brighton on this 4-week programme with two formats to choose from.
Our language learning levels relate closely to how the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) define them, but with a difference which we have found to help our students at Elementary level.
| ELC level | Equivalent CEFR levels | |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | ||
| A1 | ||
| Upper A1 | Lower A2 | |
| A2 | ||
| B1 | ||
| B2 | ||
| C1 | ||
| C2 | ||
We offer an English level test which anyone can take. It involves 50 questions and, depending on your level, will probably take you from 10 to 20 minutes. At the end of it, we will tell you your probable level.
But when you book, we will ask you to take a more detailed and accurate test, to make sure that you start in the class which is best for you.
We’re real people and we’re not very far away! Just open up the Chat or drop us a line and we can help you with any concerns or questions you may have.