How to Survive FCE

How to survive FCE

Are you interested in taking the First Certificate? If you are, we could help you in our capacity as former students. Taking the FCE is not exactly a piece of cake, but there is a little glimmer of hope. In fact, by following a few tips, everything will be much easier.

Firstly, you should get used to the idea of studying a lot at home. There are plenty of useful sites, such as flo-joe, TED and lyrics training, that can help you to improve your English. In order to improve your listening abilities we encourage you to watch as many TV programmes in English as you can. Remember, language is like a plant: the more you take care of it, the more success you’ll have. 

Secondly, we recommend you pay attention during the course, so as not to say “If only I’d been more attentive!” For instance, a lot of phrasal verbs will come up during the course, so it would be a brilliant idea to take note of them in order to be more prepared for Use of English. You should have two copybooks: the first one for your vocabulary and grammar exercises, the second for your writing.

What’s more, never (and we mean never) miss a lesson. Are you coming down with flu? Wear a warm jumper. Do you have to study? Come on dude, we all know you’ll study later. Are the aliens stealing your car keys? Go on foot. Unfortunately for you, there’s a solution for every problem you try to make up. Your teacher is looking forward to seeing you sitting on that chair.

Finally, we’d warn you not to underestimate the exam. When it’s time to stun the examiners, don’t get so nervous that you stop speaking. Concentrate on the simulations that you’ve done during the year in order to do your best. The most important thing is to think positive and believe in yourself. Try to let your light shine!

We hope that we’ve convinced you that First Certificate is nothing to be worried about, provided that you’re well-prepared. Personally, if we hadn’t attended the course, we wouldn’t have such a great knowledge of English!

By the class of 2014: 

Nina, Armando, Antonio, Flaminia, Paolo, Vittoria, Guglielmo, Alberto, Giorgio, Marco and Egle, with their teacher Suzanne.

Report: How Italian students see traditional British food.

Introduction

The aim of this report is to show what Italian students think of British cuisine. It is based on a survey of 9 students.

Traditional meals

 Understandably, a large number of students thought that British dishes are too heavy, especially Shepherd’s pie or baked potatoes. Nevertheless, a few of them felt that the use of butter on meat makes it tender. 

Fried food

Not surprisingly, several people agreed that fried food is tasty and practical. On the other hand, most adults would not recommend it because it is highly calorific, in particular fish and chips.

Cake and biscuits

The most common opinion is that English bakery is delicious, even though sometimes it can be sickly, for example Devil’s Cake. It is thought that the use of sugar is an advantage for the flavour more than for health.

Recommendation

As a result of this survey, I would strongly recommend balancing British specialities in your diet. I would also suggest exercising to prevent obesity.

By the Young Learner FCE group:

Flaminia, Nina, Vittoria, Egle, Armando, Paolo, Giorgio, Marco and Guglielmo.

To Dante

A poetic genius we are proud of,

Loving him is part of our psyche -

Italy has a debt of gratitude towards this

Giant with a soul as big as his nose.

Hell hath no fury like Dante’s inferno,

Intensity, profundity, creativity made him immortal;

Eloquence and articulation were his tools.

Reading him is what makes an

Italian proud of Italy.

Gaia, Alessandro and Lorenzo

Level 11