Job Discussion Forums

[basiltherat]

Hi
A quick background first:

Currently we are running KET,PET and FCE Preparation courses for groups of industrial personnel in Libya. The system of graded courses we have as it stands is as follows:

GE Beginner - GE Elementary - KET Preparation (then official exam) - PET Preparation (then official exam) - FCE Preparation

Each course lasting 180 hours

Of the trainees who successfully pass their KET exams, several barely scrape through (71%, 76%, for example). Despite that,under the current system, they are eligible to continue to a PET Preparation course. However, we are finding it hard going to get these particular trainees (ones who scrape through KET) up to the required PET standard in the time we have available (180 hours).

I am considering suggesting a rearranging of the system as per below:

GE Beginner - GE Elementary - GE Pre-Intermediate - KET - GE Intermediate - PET

While this clearly takes more time, it would appear much more appropriate. A trainee who barely passes KET needs, in my view anyway, more than just a 180-hour PET Preparation course before standing a reasonable chance of getting a pass in PET. Would you agree ?

In addition, would it be reasonable, do you think, to expect a trainee with Merit in KET to go directly onto a PET Preparation course (180 hours) ? I'd say yes, but I'd like to get the views of others.

Just picking your brains if u have no objection.
Best
Basil

[naturegirl321]

Yep, I agree with you, lower KET should go in X course and higher KET is Y course.

I just spent 25 hours doing Starters, Movers, Flyers, PET, FCE and CAE orals for Cambridge, and let me tell you, just because peope pass the FCE with a C, doen't mean that they will pass the CAE. Most of those ending up with a 6 on the orals.

[sollettspain]

Yes, I agree. Somtimes I think there is a perception that each year's study will mean taking the next exam, ie KET to PET, but the difference in level is considerable and students may need more time before properly progressing onto the next exam.

[Teacher in Rome]

In theory, going from a KET to PET level should be achievable in 180 hours, if not even less. The way I see it is that it's roughly equivalent to teaching the whole of Cutting Edge Pre-Intermediate plus about 60 hours of PET exam practice.

But if your students aren't starting from a good A2 level, they'll find it tough, as you say. Would it be easier if you raised the bar for the KET preparation course, and so increase the pass rate?

To my mind, the gap between PET and FCE is much greater than the gap between KET and PET.

[Pikgitina]