Cambridge English

The CISL Cambridge English Exam Preparation Courses prepare students to take Cambridge English exams to receive certificates verifying their English proficiency . Over 20,000 universities, employers, and governments accept Cambridge English exams around the world. CISL offers preparation courses for the Cambridge English: B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) in San Diego . CISL students can take the official FCE and CAE exams at the end of the courses. New for 2025: The FCE and CAE Preparation Courses are offered in 4, 7, and 11‐week sessions!

CISL San Diego is an authorized Cambridge English exam centre, and several members of the CISL staff are trained speaking examiners.

The goal of the Cambridge English Course is to help students use English with accuracy and confidence. Students improve their general English language skills and, just as importantly, they learn how to be better communicators, how to use English in different situations, how to interact with people from different cultures, and how to be better language learners.

The goal of the B2 First (FCE) Preparation Course is to prepare students to take the Cambridge English Exam: B2 First Examination (FCE) and receive the official B2‐level certificate by helping students improve their English proficiency to the B2‐level as well as equipping students with effective test‐taking strategies.

- Language Skills: improve skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

- Language Control: learn, practice, and review English grammar, pronunciation, word forms, and vocabulary.

- Test Taking: identify and understand different question types, learn tips for handling each section of the test, take practice tests to build familiarity with the test and track progress.

- Comprehensive Resources: students receive an in‐depth textbook with explanations, practice questions, and other tools that they can use to supplement their classwork.

- Student Assessment: students are frequently assessed and receive reports on their progress.

- Practice Tests: students take practice tests to build familiarity with the test and track their progress.

- Teacher Feedback: students receive frequent feedback from their instructors.

- Small Classes: the average class size in the course is 8 students, so students get a lot of personal attention and feel comfortable in a small group. Learn more about the benefits of our small classes.

- Conversational English (Monday‐Thursday 1:30 p.m. ‐3:10 p.m.) ‐

- Business English (Monday‐Thursday 1:30 p.m. ‐3:10 p.m.)

- English for Academic Purposes (Monday‐Thursday 1:30 p.m. ‐3:10 p.m.)

- Private Lessons (flexible times)

- *FREE* Study Hall (one day per week 1:30 p.m. ‐3:00 p.m.)

The goal of the C1 Advanced (CAE) Preparation Course is to prepare students to take the Cambridge English: C1 Advanced Examination (CAE) and receive the official C1‐level certificate by helping students improve their English proficiency to the C1‐level as well as equipping students with effective test‐taking strategies.

- Language Skills: improve skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

- Language Control: learn, practice, and review English grammar, pronunciation, word forms, and vocabulary.

- Test Taking: identify and understand different question types, learn tips for handling each section of the test, take practice tests to build familiarity with the test and track progress.

- Comprehensive Resources: students receive an in‐depth textbook with explanations, practice questions, and other tools that they can use to supplement their classwork.

- Student Assessment: students are frequently assessed and receive reports on their progress.

- Practice Tests: students take practice tests to build familiarity with the test and track their progress.

- Teacher Feedback: students receive frequent feedback from their instructors.

- Small Classes: the average class size in the course is 8 students, so students get a lot of personal attention and feel comfortable in a small group. Learn more about the benefits of our small classes.

- Conversational English (Monday‐Thursday 1:30 p.m. ‐ 3:10 p.m.

- Business English (Monday‐Thursday 1:30 p.m. ‐ 3:10 p.m.)

- English for Academic Purposes (Monday‐Thursday 1:30 p.m. ‐ 3:10 p.m.)

- Private Lessons (flexible times)

- *FREE* Study Hall (one day per week 1:30 p.m. ‐ 3:00 p.m.)

Note: Students taking any 20‐lesson per week course and who are requesting an I‐20 for a student visa will also need to take either an Afternoon Elective or attend a 1.5 hour Study Hall session each week in order to meet the 18‐hour per week minimum requirement for the student visa. One lesson = 50 minutes. For more information about U.S. visas, please read the information here or contact us directly using the online inquiry form .

Like in the regular CISL class, there are only 8 students. The difference between those two classes is students tend to be taking it more seriously than in the regular class. By taking Cambridge, my English skills get better because I learned more specific vocabulary, different styles in forming or organize essays and how to pick out the correct key works in listening and reading. We went through all vocabulary and verb tenses which is important for the test. Before I even noticed, I started to use it in daily conversations, which is great. Furthermore, we took several prep test to see our progress and received feedback in which area we should improve. By the time I took the test, I was more than nervous but thanks to the teacher I was prepared.

After taking the Cambridge I went back home and started in the same company before arriving in San Diego. By passing Cambridge I could provide the certificate to the company which leads me to where I am now. After being back for a half a year, they asked me if I were interested in going to Michigan for a year to help out our daughter company. There is probably many factors why they chose me but I am sure that the Cambridge one of the biggest reason. By having a Cambridge Certificate can open you doors, which you have not thought about it.

My time in San Diego was amazing, learned new ways to use English and made many new friends. If you are thinking about taking Cambridge or just a regular class, you are on the right place. Then, if I could do it again, I would.

Diogo, SWITZERLAND