Preliminary English Test English Course – B1 Level

Save 20% on Exam Preparation course starting dates before 01.06.2024.

The programme

Improve your English and master the basics of English language with a B1 Preliminary Cambridge certificate. The PET Cambridge certificate is the first leg of your journey in acquiring Cambridge internationally recognised qualifications. 

You can also book your B1 Prelimianry Exam only with us if you do not with to take the exam preparation course. Please select exam only option in the menu.

  • Minimum Course Length

    6 weeks

  • Lessons a Week

    20 lessons per week
    45 minutes per lesson

  • Minimum English Level

    Intermediate - B1

  • Cost

    (AM) €1,360 & exam fee: €160
    (PM) €1200 & exam fee: €160

  • Start Dates

    (AM) 27 Jan 2025, 28 Oct 2025
    (PM) 06 May 2025, 13 Oct 2025

  • Maximum Class Size

    14

  • Minimum Age

    17 in low season
    16 in high season

  • Lesson times

    (AM) Mon - Fri: 9.00 - 12.30
    (PM) Mon - Thur: 13.30 - 17.00 & Fri: 13.30 - 15.00

Who is the course for?

The Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET) Preparation course will prepare you for the Preliminary Certificate exam.

The course will help you to develop your English language skills for the 3 different papers in Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET). The Cambridge English Certificates are the world's most valuable and widely-recognised range of English qualifications and they are accepted by employers and schools around the world.

This course has a duration of only 6 weeks, so it is a great option if you wish to gain a qualification in a short period of time. It is the first step in the Cambridge Exam preparation courses as well the first on your way to proficiency.

If you use written and spoken English at a B1 level (Intermediate on the CEFR), then this is the course for you.

Course objectives

The Cambridge Preliminary PET course is structured in order to prepare students for every part of the examination.

During this exam preparation course, students will:

  1. Learn how to communicate in real-life situations.
  2. Become familiar with all three exam papers, focusing on grammar, syntax, key vocabulary and skills development.
  3. Take regular practice tests to prepare you for the exam and you will learn about the exam structure. This will ensure you understand the exam very well and you will have a better exam result.
  4. Reach a level that will allow you to do well in the Cambridge Preliminary examination (PET).

Course content

We structure the course to make sure that you do well in the examination. Students usually take the exam at the end of their 6 week course - and you can take the exam here in our school because Galway Cultural Institute is an authorised Cambridge English Test Centre.

In your lessons you will learn more about English grammar & your vocabulary will grow. You will also develop your reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills. When you arrive you will receive:

  • a PET exam course book - You will use this for all lessons and your home study tasks.
  • a language practice book - You will use this for self-study and home study tasks.

The teachers will help you to understand the the exam format and the best techniques to use in the exam. Your lessons will focus on the three exam papers from the Preliminary Exam (PET) : Reading and Writing (50%), Listening (25%) and Speaking (25%).

You will receive a high-level of support and individual guidance from your teachers, which will give you everything you need to pass the exam. Your teacher will provide you with sample exam papers to practice as well as mock papers. You can also do extra exam practice in the afternoons with a teacher in the library. Our commitment to quality teachers, materials and methods makes sure that you feel comfortable and ready to succeed when it's your chance to sit the actual exam.

GCI always have excellent results from our Cambridge Preliminary (PET) past candidates. Our teaching staff are all native English speakers and very experienced teaching exam students like you.

Sample timetable

MONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAY
09.00-

10.30
Reading

(Parts 1 & 2)

Vocabulary (phrasal verbs)
Reading

(Parts 3 & 4)

Listening Task
(multiple choice)
Grammar

(Present Simple and Continuous)
Writing (Part 1 & 2)
Practise paper 

(Reading & Writing)
11.00-

12:30
Grammar (comparisons)Grammar

(passive forms)

Speaking Task (collaborative task)
Practise paper (listening)

Writing Task (Part 3)
Vocabulary
(collocations & idioms)
Writing Task

Speaking (Parts 3 & 4)

Galway Cultural Institute is an authorised Cambridge English Test Centre, this means that you can sit the exam here at our school in Salthill. Not all language schools that offer Cambridge exam preparation courses are certified testing centres so this is a big advantage of studying at GCI.

Study in the heart of Galway, Ireland

Since 1989, Galway Cultural Institute has provided English language programmes to students from all over the world - in fact, we have welcomed people from more than 30 countries.

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