Books and Apps — FCE Exam Tips

A MESSAGE FROM ANDREW GIRARDIN, CREATOR OF FCE EXAM TIPS

On this page I'll link to the books I use in my B2 First classes and tell you about some smartphone apps you might like.

I want the books that Andrew uses in his FCE classes.

I want to improve my listening skills.

I'm looking for smartphone apps.

My Online Course for Cambridge Students

I’ve made an online course aimed at students taking Cambridge exams. It’s great!

It’s aimed at C1 (CAE) but is still useful for B2 (FCE) students since the exams are so similar. You learn some new phrasal verbs while practicing your exam skills.

Buy it before I increase the price!

Go to the course

Best Books for FCE Students

Ready for First

The best FCE coursebook is Ready for First by Roy Norris. (It used to be called Ready for FCE.)

It teaches all the grammar and vocabulary you need, plus the exercises are formatted exactly the same as in the exam. That means you're getting exam practice while you're learning English. Perfect!

I use this with all my FCE students and I even use it with students who don't want to take the exam, because the reading texts are interesting and there's great variety in the topics.

If you can afford it and you have the time to do extra work, buy the workbook as well. (You'll see it listed on Amazon when you follow the link.)

Do the coursebook + workbook = pass the exam.

Cambridge Exam Books: First 1

Sometimes you just need to take some practice exams and see if you're ready. That's when you buy this book.

It has 4 complete exams inside, and it's published by Cambridge so you know you're getting REAL exam practice with this one.

The only problem is that there is no CD included - you'll have to pay extra unless you know a friendly English teacher who can help you out.

Improve Your Grammar

These are great options for learning grammar. Destination combines the grammar with vocabulary, while English Grammar in Use is loved by teachers all over the world.

Reading Practice

Holes

One of the best ways to improve your English is to read books.

Most of my students don't like reading in English because they have to look up so many words, and that might be true on page 1. But by page 100 it all goes much faster! And in the meantime you learned a lot of vocabulary and experienced a lot of grammar.

I recommend Holes to everyone regardless of age, job, interests. It's one of the most perfect stories every written and you'll love reading it.

Listening Practice

AUDIOBOOKS

I love audiobooks. Go get some! There are some on Youtube you can try. Also have a look in your local library.

PODCASTS

If you have an iPhone there is an app called 'Podcasts'. Open it, go to 'search' and type 'learn English'. You'll find hundreds of free podcasts. Why not give one a try?

Start with one called Planet Money and, of course, 6-Minute English from the BBC.

If you don't have an iPhone, don't worry. Android and Windows phones have podcast apps too. You might have to download one, but it's worth a minute of your time.

If you like football then listen to the Guardian Football Weekly - they have speakers from France, Spain, Scandinavia who are really great at English. You could learn a lot about using idioms from them!

Recommended Apps

GOOGLE TRANSLATE

Not everyone likes this, but I use it every day. Watch this video to see why.