First Certificate: course, info, schools at a glance

Eine Schülerin und ein Schülerin eines Cambridge First Certificate Kurs (FCE) sind auf dem Weg in den Englisch-Unterricht.
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Are you looking for a First Certificate course? - Here you will find suitable schools as well as further information, tips and resources for further training.

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First Certificate: Seize the opportunity to earn a Cambridge language diploma recognized worldwide

Do you have a basic knowledge of the English language and would like to have it certified on an internationally recognized language diploma? Then the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) is just right for you!

The Cambridge Certificates are probably the best-known English language certificates worldwide and the FCE, the Cambridge First Certificate, is recognized in commerce, industry and many schools. The First Certificate is issued by the University of Cambridge. The First Certificate examinations take place on the same dates worldwide, namely in March, June and December.

To prepare for a First Certificate exam, you can attend special courses at numerous language schools. The First Certificate exam is also held at certified examination centers around the world.

Not quite sure yet? The language guide at www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch gives you more information on various language courses, language diplomas and lots of useful tips and links on the subject of languages.

Questions and answers

There are currently 18 cities in Switzerland where you can take the official Cambridge exams for the First Certificate in English (FCE), the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), the Profeciency Certificate in English (CPE), the Business Certificates and all other Cambridge exams. You can find out more about the exams and locations directly fromCambridge ESOL.
The First Certificate in English (FCE) is one of the Cambridge language examinations for non-native speakers. The examinations developed by the University of Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Examinations enjoy international recognition.

All language schools require students to have passed the PET (Preliminary English Test) or a placement test to take a preparatory course for the First Certificate in English, which is usually offered by the schools free of charge or for a small fee. This is the only way to ensure that all participants actually have sufficient knowledge of English. The test requires language skills that allow the candidates to cope with a wide variety of conversational situations and express themselves appropriately on a wide range of topics. A comprehensive vocabulary is important as well as good grammar skills, written expression and correct sentence structures.

If you are interested in taking the First Certificate in English (FCE) exam, you should have at least a B2 level of English, or even better a C1 level. This means that you can communicate easily with a native speaker and understand complex topics. If you don't know how well you speak English, it makes sense to take a placement test, which many schools offer free of charge. To refresh your knowledge, a diploma preparation course is highly recommended, which is usually also preceded by a placement test.

The FCE is particularly suitable for people who already have a good command of English and would like to have their language skills certified with an officially and internationally recognized diploma. The Preliminary English Test (PET) could be of interest to all those who do not have sufficient language skills. People who need an English certificate primarily for their job should consider Business English Certificates (BEC) instead of the First Certificate in English, which can also be taken at different levels.

If you want to prove your English skills with an officially recognized diploma, the best way to do this is after intensive preparation at a language school. Such English courses are usually called "diploma courses" and vary in length depending on the school. For a preparation course for the FCE, the Cambridge English First, you should - depending on your previous knowledge - expect around 80 to 90 lessons, which can be spread over 8 to 11 months. However, you also have the option of taking an intensive course to prepare for this language diploma exam and thus shorten the time span immensely. This is also possible during language stays or in online courses, so that the preparation time is cut in half.

The language test for the First Certificate of English (FCE) is divided into five sections, each of which has a set time frame. The shortest section is free speaking, which lasts 14 minutes. The written expression section, on the other hand, lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes. The test consists of the following sections:
  • Reading comprehension
  • Writing
  • Language application
  • Listening comprehension
  • Speak

Redaktionelle Leitung:

Stefan Schmidlin, Bildungsberatung, Content-Team Modula AG

Quellen

Website des Schweizerischen Sekretariats für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation SBFI , Website www.berufsberatung.ch (offizielles schweizerisches Informationsportal der Studien-, Berufs- und Laufbahnberatung) sowie Websites und anderweitige Informationen der Berufsverbände und Bildungsanbieter.

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Vulkanstrasse 106
8048 Zürich
Benedict-Schulen Schweiz
With Benedict you will get ahead, because nothing is more important today than targeted and professional further education. Whether you are interested in the Benedict business school, language or management school or in the fields of IT, medicine or hotel management - the Benedict School is your competent and quality-conscious partner for your professional career.
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Strengths: All-inclusive prices (excluding external exams), Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu or Saturday classes, above-average exam results, centrally located. Free parking (Zurich), free preliminary courses, optional subjects.
Region: Bern, Ostschweiz, Zentralschweiz, Zürich
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Klubschule Migros - Sprachen
Migros Club School opens the door to new worlds of language for you

Bonjour, Hello, Buongiorno, Buenos dias! Language connects people, countries and cultures worldwide. At the Club School you have the opportunity to learn one of over 30 languages from scratch or take your language skills to a new level.

Which language would you like to learn? Choose the right course for you and learn in a way that suits your learning style: in the classroom, in private lessons, on site, online or as a combination of different types of lessons. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, a conversation course or exam preparation, as proof on your CV or simply as a hobby: we use modern teaching and learning methods to help you achieve your personal language goals.

The language courses at the Club School are based on the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Test your language level online free of charge - and enter a new world of languages.
Strengths: Migros Club School is the leading private education and leisure institution in Switzerland. Every year, around 180,000 participants benefit from the diverse and inspiring range of courses on offer.
Region: Aargau, Basel, Bern, Ostschweiz, Westschweiz, Zentralschweiz, Zürich
Sites: Aarau, Baden, Basel, Bern, Buchs, Chur, Frauenfeld, Glarus, Luzern, Lyss, Olten, Rapperswil, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Thun, Wetzikon, Winterthur, Zug, Zürich
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Aarauerstrasse 30
4601 Olten
Adult Education Center EBZ Olten
(5.2) Very good 332 332 Ratings (90% )
The Olten Adult Education Center offers a wide range of courses in the areas of training and further education.
As a leader in vocational training for adults, we offer preliminary courses for the EFZ qualification procedure in accordance with Art. 32 and further training in various professional fields. These courses are mainly held in the evening or on Saturdays. In addition to recognized follow-up courses, we also offer preparatory courses for federal professional examinations for hairdressers and for the logistics sector.
We also offer various attractive and job-oriented courses in finance and accounting. If your goal is an internationally recognized language diploma or a certificate recognized throughout Switzerland, you've come to the right place.
The central location and our location close to the train station are further advantages of our center.
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Strengths: Qualified lecturers from the professional world, targeted knowledge transfer, modern infrastructure, Art. 32 catch-up training in classes with adults only, easily accessible.
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Region: Aargau, Basel, Bern
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Thunstrasse 8
3005 Bern
International Language School
(5.6) Excellent 9 9 Ratings (88% )
International Language School - your language school in the heart of Bern, Basel, Zurich, Aarau and Solothurn! Choose one of ten languages and immerse yourself in the world of language learning. From super-intensive courses to evening and Saturday courses, we are sure to have the right offer for you! In our small groups of max. 6 people, you will benefit from the lessons in a very special way. Private lessons guarantee you maximum flexibility and allow you to set your own individual focus. We offer customized group courses tailored to your field of activity, especially for companies. On request, we can even send a teacher directly to your location. As an Eduqua-certified language school and licensed telc examination center, we guarantee you the highest quality in language learning.

Welcome to the ILS - We look forward to hearing from you! Please feel free to visit us in person at any time.
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Strengths: individual needs and support / a pleasant learning atmosphere / the implementation of what has been learned in everyday life / the quality of teaching in private or in small groups
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Region: Aargau, Basel, Bern, Zürich
Sites: Aarau, Basel, Bern, Solothurn, Zürich
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Emil Frey-Strasse 100
4142 Münchenstein
kv pro AG
(5.1) Very good 11 11 Ratings (100% )
As kv pro, we are committed to higher vocational training and are one of the largest providers of part-time continuing education, further training in the commercial sector in the region. Originating from the continuing education, further training and management training of the KV Basel commercial school (Basel-Stadt) and Avanti KV Weiterbildungen (Baselland), we have been shaping the commercial education system in the region for more than 150 years.

We are committed to high quality standards in order to provide our customers with the best possible preparation for the professional challenges of our time. We see ourselves as a partner on the career path of our participants.

At our teaching locations in Basel, Liestal and Münchenstein, we offer continuing education, further training in all commercial specializations and at all common (NQF levels). The majority of our experienced lecturers come from the private sector.

kv pro is supported by the Kaufmännischer Verband Region Beide Basel, the employees' association for business people.
Strengths: High level of practical transfer, personal advice and support, up-to-date teaching materials, lecturers with practical experience, location assessments, many years of experience.
Discount for Swisscom employees: 5% (when registering via this platform at «Course registration» )
Region: Basel
Sites: Basel, Liestal, Münchenstein
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6006 Luzern
FREI'S Schulen Luzern
As a cantonal vocational school, FREI'S schools train around 1200 apprentices in six medical and two commercial professions.
Further training, further education and language courses, including an authorized Cambridge English Exam Centre, round off the wide range of private school courses.

Founded in 1897, FREI'S Schulen AG is the oldest private commercial school in Central Switzerland. Since then, around 100,000 people have successfully completed their basic or further training in a medical or commercial profession here.

Every year, around 1,400 apprentices and students attend the school, which is centrally located in Lucerne on the left bank of the lake and can be reached within 7 minutes from Lucerne railroad station.

Together towards the future! For 125 years.
Strengths: Successfully active in education in Central Switzerland for 125 years. Your vocational school for 10 basic training courses, 30 further training courses and languages with an authorized Cambridge English Exam Centre.
Region: Zentralschweiz
Sites: Luzern
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IQNet
ISO 9001 SQS
Swiss Olympic
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Am Schanzengraben 15
8002 Zürich
professional language center GmbH
Language courses in the heart of Zurich or at your company

professional language center is the professional language school for lessons at all levels. Our competent and flexible language trainers will teach you at our school in the city center or at your workplace. Even if this is outside of Zurich. Our strength lies in language courses that are tailored to your individual needs.

Choose or combine language courses in:

German
Business German
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Swiss German
Business English
Business English
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Italian
Spanish
Portuguese
Polish
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We are a telc examination center

telc (German A1-C2)
telc foreign languages

Our customers are ambitious, working adults. The classes are characterized by homogeneous groups - so efficient learning is guaranteed!

We prepare you specifically for telc and Cambridge exams. Contact us for a personal consultation.
Strengths: plc is the professional language school for lessons at all levels. Our competent and flexible language trainers will teach you at our school, online or at your workplace.
Discount for Swisscom employees: 12% (when registering via this platform at «Course registration» )
Discount conditions: Discounts are valid for group lessons. Family members receive the same discount. Please present your badge.
Region: Zürich
Sites: Zürich
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eduQua
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SQS ISO 9001 14001 45001
telc
Address:
Seidengasse 6
8001 Zürich
The Cambridge Institute
MORE THAN JUST LEARNING ENGLISH

- Courses for corporate and private customers in the areas of general or business English

- Easy learning - when you want & where you want thanks to our Dolphin® learning system

- Continuous support from didactically trained native speakers

- Guaranteed learning objectives in the Dolphin® system

- Free club activities for all courses
Region: Basel, Bern, Zentralschweiz, Zürich
Sites: Basel, Bern, Luzern, Zürich
Address:
Zähringerstrasse 51
8001 Zürich
VOX language school
VOX-Sprachschule is a modern school in the heart of Zurich and Winterthur. We attach great importance to comfort, which is why we only teach in small groups with a maximum of 5 students. We also specialize in individual private lessons as well as company language lessons and business language courses.

At the VOX language school, everything revolves around speaking, we take you by the hand and guide you to good pronunciation, getting you speaking immediately and every lesson.

We know from many years of experience that only what is fun motivates and brings success. We believe we can convince you with the following points:

- Small groups with a maximum of 5 participants
- Innovative learning method developed by us
- Our courses focus on speaking and enjoyable learning
- Professional teachers with a university background
- Familiar, modern, stimulating and positive learning atmosphere
- Perfect location - right next to Winterthur and Zurich train stations
- Wide range of languages
Region: Zürich
Sites: Winterthur, Zürich
OSAM training and continuing education, further training
OSAM is a competence center specializing in certifying and tailor-made training courses in the fields of languages, communication, management and administration.

Our trainers use innovative methods and andragogy tailored to professionals looking for quick and sustainable results within an already busy schedule.

Our training courses offer high added value to individuals and companies, with the aim of increasing performance and operational efficiency.

We target professionals and companies looking to significantly improve their skills through a personalized experience that fits their goals, availability and format preferences.
Strengths: Our strength lies in our particularly high degree of personalization (content/schedule/format) to enable fast and sustainable results.
Region: Aargau, Basel, Bern, Ostschweiz, Westschweiz, Zentralschweiz, Zürich
Sites: Basel, Bern, Genève, Zürich
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
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