In English, the old saying goes: “you can kill two birds with one stone”. While ESL would never recommend terrorizing wildfowl, we do have an excellent way for you to follow the metaphorical meaning: a four week official certificate preparation course followed by an official English exam. With these programmes, you can have an action-packed summer holiday and come back with an internationally recognised English language qualification. Two birds, one stone!
Among the most popular qualifications for learners of English are the Cambridge Certificates.
Cambridge B2 First
This is an upper-intermediate level qualification that proves you can use everyday written and spoken English for work or study purposes. It is recognised around the world.
Cambridge C1 Advanced
Accepted globally as proof of high achievement, this certificate can be used for your university and student visa applications in the UK and Australia. Preparing for C1 helps learners develop the skills to make the most of studying, working and living in English-speaking countries.
Preparation courses for these exams have traditionally lasted for an academic trimester, but we now offer more intense courses that will have you ready to pass the exam in just four weeks. What’s more, these are offered in some of the coolest destinations around the world. For example, you could spend four weeks in Brighton this summer, living in a cosmopolitan city by the sea, and then come home with a respected qualification!
Or you could study in London. If you choose to take the B2 or C1 in 4 weeks with ESL at British Study Centres London this summer, ESL will pay your exam fees. Or head to leafy southwest London where our partner school in Wimbledon is the official exam centre for that area of the city.
For a completely different setting, you could consider Galway, on Ireland’s west coast. Or sunny Sydney in Australia. The beauty of these qualifications is that they are recognised around the world, so you can focus on finding the study destination that is right for you.
Other qualifications are available, for example:
TOEFL & TOEIC
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) are the standard American exams to show English language proficiency. The TOEFL is designed for entry to American academia while the TOEIC is more focused on English for business purposes. Many of our schools in the USA also offer the Cambridge exams.
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificates are widely-respected certificates of achievement in English. Two versions are available: an Academic Version and a General Training Version. As the names suggest, one is designed to give you the English skills needed for university or academic study, while the other is more vocational.
We offer preparation courses for all of the major certificates. These courses are designed to ensure you develop the skills and knowledge needed to pass the official exams. The teachers on these courses are all familiar with the exams and will provide you with the individual guidance that you need to get that all important pass.
Many schools offer English exam preparation courses all year round, but summer courses often sell out well in advance, so you should reserve a place as soon as possible.
Remember, if you are already living or studying in language immersion, taking the time to pass an official exam can be a nice bonus – it certainly looks great when you are applying for work.
Take your English learning to the next level and gain a qualification that will last a lifetime.
Contact us to find out more about any of the official English exams.
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