First Certificate in English Course for Foreign Students [antikvár]

Preface The reading passages in Lower Certificate English Course were designed to introduce a large number of points associated with vocabulary, grammar and construction that often cause difficulties to students. These have been retained within the structure of this edition together with the practice exercises which formed part of most chapters. With the introduction of a considerably modified examination however, a large part of the earlier book has been rewritten so as to ensure adequate preparation for all sections of the new syllabus. The notes to each chapter have been condensed to essentials to allow additional material to be included together with guidance in pronunciation, special grammatical points and use of prepositions, related in each of these cases to the foregoing comprehension passage. New sections have been added to most chapters, consisting of multiple choice questions based on the comprehension passage, a number of questions of the type that will appear on the Use of English paper and finally considerable practice in spoken English, including conventional usage, conversations, situations to be dealt with orally and discussion topics. The chapter on Spoken English has been adapted to the new 'Interview' and 'play extract' reading passage with advice and examples included. Other sections deal with the new type of summary and with composition writing, though each of the proposed types of composition is presented separately as part of a chapter. The student undertaking this course should already have a good elementary knowledge of English. When classes have as many as ten weekly lessons most of the material can be dealt with in class, but students in groups which meet for not more than 4-5 hours weekly have to do a good deal of preparation at home with class guidance and checking. A Key is available separately and the material is presented clearly enough to enable a student working "alone to derive considerable benefit from it. The vocabulary utilised is more extensive than that of Michael West's General Service List, which is to be used as a general guide in setting papers. While the book is oriented towards the First Certificate, it is intended to be of value to all intermediate level students, whether they intend to take the examination or not, and so seeks to cover as many everyday situations and needs as possible. Moreover many successful candidates will wish to start preparation for a more advanced examination, such as the Certificate of Proficiency or the English Language paper of the General Certificate of Education. Both these examinations demand a very wide vocabulary, much of it based on abstract and intellectual concepts and a student who embarks on a preparatory course for these examinations should have a sure knowledge of a wide range of everyday, practical words and expressions.