Basil Paterson
66 Queen Street Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 4NA, UK
Basil Paterson
Many employers and universities now require evidence of your English level. Cambridge Assessment English exams offer an important qualification for life; perfect for developing your confidence and enhancing your CV.
Cambridge Assessment English exam courses include a place on the next available exam, guidance on exam skills and strategies, essential language development, individual feedback, weekly individual coaching sessions and timed exam practice.
Course overview
Students train to gain experience and acquire the skills necessary to achieve a passing grade in their C1 Advanced (CAE) exam.
Teachers coach students to achieve to the maximum of their potential, and set milestones and goals for each student, with constant evaluation. This sets the pace for each learner to surpass their academic expectations and achieve more than they thought possible.
Students sit rehearsal tests under exam conditions. These are repeated as required to build confidence and familiarity with the exam.
Small class sizes also allow for a large amount of individual coaching, which provides students with the security of the knowledge that they are as prepared as possible for their exam, and with confidence and familiarity in the exam format.
All students who successfully complete this course are eligible for a Course Certificate.
Homework tasks are set daily to allow learners to reflect on and consolidate what they have learned in the day, as well as prepare for the next day.
Morning lessons are devoted to developing the skills and linguistic abilities that are required to not only achieve success in the C1 Advanced (CAE) exam, but that will also enable the student to operate in English with ease across cultural and linguistic borders. These lessons and workshops allow students to develop linguistic flair, as well as key 21st century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, resilience, and leadership.
The afternoon lessons focus on how to apply these skills to exam tasks in order to achieve a high grade. Students are equipped with strategies that allow them to display their skills to the very best of their ability in all the papers of the C1 Advanced (CAE).
Learners are coached in the content of the exam, and strategies for understanding and navigating the test questions are explored and practised.
Tutors set assignments for homework, and mock tests, taken under exam conditions, allow both tutor and student to monitor progress, as well as highlighting areas and tasks which may require a highly targeted focus or more intensive work.
Course Content
Flexibility for Use of English
Students develop flexibility in their use of the English language by building their lexical and grammatical range. There is a strong focus on accuracy. The skills that are honed in this module are the foundation stones for the modules which follow it, as they equip the student with the language needed to express themselves clearly, accurately, eloquently, and with linguistic flair.
Confidence for the spoken paper
Students build the skills required for face-to-face interactions, with a focus on successful communication and articulation of concepts, effective discourse management, clear and effective pronunciation, and flexible and accurate use of structures and vocabulary. Developing the use of compensation strategies also allows students to maintain their confidence and communicative competence when faced with linguistic obstacles.
Strategies for effective reading
In this module, students are exposed to, and familiarised with, a variety of text types. Skills developed include: speed reading, understanding text structure, critical analysis, and determining an author’s position. The range of texts used includes newspaper articles, fiction, magazine articles, and non-fiction prose.
Listening skills
Preparation for the listening paper helps students build the skills to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials. These include radio broadcasts, interviews, presentations and talks, as well as everyday interactions. Materials such as TED talks and BBC broadcasts are used to develop the required skills, including: working out the meaning of unknown words, following the structure of speech, and summarising a talk.
Written eloquence
Students practise writing different text types, including essays, reports, articles and letters. They are trained to understand the differences between these types of writing, and to use their linguistic skills to reach their communicative objective in any style. There is a focus on how to structure a text clearly and logically, as well as planning, time-management, precision and clarity.
Expected outcomes
By the end of this course, the student is expected to be able to
Manage discourse effectively in face-to-face interactions
Articulate ideas and concepts clearly in both spoken and written English
Demonstrate flexibility in their use of language
Follow and comprehend a variety of written and spoken text types
Structure a piece of long form writing in a number of styles
Speak confidently with others in both one-to-one and two-to-one situations
Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar
Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.
Maximum | 8 students |
Age range | 16 years old and older |
Average | 27 years old |
Basil Paterson has a long tradition of academic excellence and with over fifty years of experience in English language teaching we remain dedicated to empowering each student in their future English communication.
Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic New Town, Basil Paterson provides a unique academic environment, where you study alongside native speakers studying for UK examinations or taking the Cambridge CELTA course.
Experienced and qualified teaching staff work hard to ensure that you receive a high level of academic support, encouraging your progression.
The focus is on learning both inside and outside the classroom and classwork is complemented by our varied social and cultural programme.
As the largest open exam centre in Scotland for IELTS and Cambridge English, we are best placed to guide you through your exam preparation courses. Studying at Basil Paterson means you have classes and take your exam in the same building. We also offer a guaranteed place on the next available exam.
Our Academic Approach
Our aim at Basil Paterson College is to provide a learning environment which helps all students to reach their full potential. Whether your objective is to improve your English skills for work, university or life in an English-speaking country, you will find that studying with us provides the focus and drive that you need. Tailored support from qualified teachers and individual coaching sessions helps our learners to achieve their aims.
What can learners achieve with a course at Basil Paterson College?
Improved confidence when communicating in English for work, study and travel
Ownership over the language learning process and development of independent study skills
The knowledge, skills and strategies needed for success in English language exams
Greater intercultural competence through working in multinational classes
Increased motivation through intensive courses which challenge and inspire learners
Learning outcomes of our programmes
No matter which course you choose to study and what goals you have it is our belief that all students achieve certain outcomes throughout their period of study with us.
Students are able to express themselves clearly and with more variety in both social and academic and business situations
They increase their fluency and accuracy in English
They have more confidence in reading and listening and will be better equipped to participate in discussions and communication
As well as spoken production being improved we will also see a better use of non-verbal skills such as body language and appropriate gestures to enhance verbal communication.
Pre-course test
We ask every student to complete a placement test before arrival and a short speaking assessment on the first day. This gives us essential information about your English language level and which class would be most suitable for you. Progress depends on motivation, self-study habits, learning strategies and language immersion. We expect students to work hard and focus on their goals.
Homework
Our courses are designed to be intensive and learners should expect homework every day and over the weekend.
Certification
At the end of your course, you are given a certificate showing your course dates, attendance and assessment of your level of spoken production, spoken interaction, reading, listening and writing skills. The levels are based on your teachers’ evaluation of your level with reference to the Common European Framework for Languages.
The nationality and age mix at Basil Paterson varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 27. In the summer, the average age is 27.
In the centre of Edinburgh's historic New Town just a stone's throw away from all of the cities shops, restaurants and attractions. Ten minutes from the two main train stations and half an hour from the airport.
Homestays are carefully selected and offer students the opportunity to learn more about the local culture in a comfortable setting while studying English in Edinburgh. These homes are often between 15 - 50 minutes away from the school by public transport. Families usually offer affordable meal plans that allow you to sample the local cuisine. If you have special requests or diet restrictions (because of religion or health reasons), please let us know in advance. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about homestay housing
We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.
If you are studying in the UK for over 11 months, you will receive a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that you need to submit to the UK embassy along with your General Student Visa application. Students who have successfully booked a language course and have paid their fees will receive a CAS from BP. Please note that UK law states that a CAS can only be issued to students who intend to pursue English language studies for over 11 months.
If you are studying in the UK for 11 months or less, you have to apply for a special visitor visa called a Student Visitor Visa. As a student visitor, you will not be able to work part-time while studying. If you plan to study in the UK for 11 months or less, a letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.
Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Edinburgh based on your budget, schedule and preferences.
Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.
Have questions? Get answers from Basil Paterson staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.
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