The Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) is the first of the two certificates located at the highest level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is a qualification with a high level of international recognition and opens the door to higher education, degrees, master’s programmes, postgraduate studies, doctorates, and highly qualified jobs abroad.
The most common pathway to this certificate is after having obtained the First Certificate (B2), the level immediately below Advanced. However, it is also possible to prepare students for the CAE without having previously obtained an official qualification, provided they have sufficient experience with English in their studies or professional life.
Likewise, NOVACADÈMIA prepares students during their Bachillerato after returning from international stays of six months or more.
To successfully achieve the CAE C1 level, students must have a well-balanced command of English across all its skills, with a particularly high level of technical language proficiency.
Therefore, certifying this level is a clear demonstration of the abilities acquired at all levels, and especially at B2 level. These are the five skills that are developed and officially certified:
- Use of English: It refers to the use of grammar within a meaningful context, never as a purely mechanical exercise. It consists of exam tasks with both open-ended and closed-response questions.
- Reading: It consists of interpreting different types of texts and being able to respond appropriately to the comprehension questions provided. All exam tasks are closed-response questions.
- Writing: Through two written tasks of between 220 and 260 words each, the candidate must convince the examiners that they have solid technical competence in different aspects of the language.
- Listening:The candidate must listen to and interpret different English accents in a variety of contexts and formats. The exam includes both open-ended and multiple-choice tasks.
- Speaking: Through different formats, the examiner will assess the candidate’s English using a range of everyday topics. Grammar, vocabulary, coherence of expression, and organization of information are evaluated.
The exam lasts approximately 5 hours, with several breaks. Obtaining an Advanced English certificate is not difficult if you have the support of an expert teacher who monitors your performance and progress and corrects the aspects that need improvement.
In addition to all the doors this certificate can open for you, one of the aspects our students value most is the fact that they gain a high level of autonomy in communicating in English, and that they can fully enjoy TV series, books, or songs that previously felt a bit out of reach. Therefore, you should also keep in mind that your effort not only earns you an official certificate at an advanced level, but also transforms your English in a way you may never have experienced before.
From a linguistic point of view, we can say that a student who has achieved a C1 or Advanced level is someone who uses the language with ease, has fully internalized it, and can mentally access all their stored linguistic resources in real time, without thinking in their mother tongue.
Preparation for the C1 exam at NOVACADÈMIA is carried out using exclusively official materials, familiarising students with the typical exam topics and, above all, with the types of questions and answers they will encounter.
This level is usually completed over two academic years (from September to June), or through one academic year from September to June plus an intensive course in July. In most cases, the amount of time a student needs before progressing to C2 level depends on their individual abilities, the extra time they dedicate to English outside the classroom, and their initial level of English.
Before the course begins, NOVACADÈMIA administers an official level test and a personal interview, allowing us to group students by level rather than by age in the case of teenagers and adults. At the end of the course, a comprehensive final level test is carried out to analyse and assess the student’s progress and performance within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
We also provide a professional advisory service regarding official Cambridge English exams, and we have official materials available to practise the different parts and papers of the CAE C1 exam before sitting the official examination.
If you would like more information about this level, you can contact us.
Below you will find the schedules for our courses in Caldes de Montbui and Barcelona. Please remember that we can also offer private classes at this level, either at your home or at our centres. Tell us about your needs and we will offer you the best option.
SCHEDULE CALDES
SCHEDULE BARCELONA
