Frequently asked questions

 

 

I'm interested in taking Cambridge Financial English. What should I do?

The Cambridge Financial English course is a blend of online and face-to-face study. You will need to be registered with a Tuition provider who is running the Cambridge Financial English course or contact your local language centre to find out if they offer the course or see the list of providers offering the course. http://www.financialenglish.org/cfe/tuition-providers.html.

 

If your tutor is interested in running the course, they can contact enquiries@financialenglish.org

 

How can I buy the course?

If you are an employer or tuition provider, contact your local representative from Cambridge ESOL, ACCA or Cambridge University Press or email enquiries@financialenglish.org to find out more.

 

If you are a student you will need to find a tuition provider offering the course.

 

How much does the course cost?

 

For information about costs please email: enquiries@financialenglish.org

How does the course work?

 

This is a blended learning course with a flexible mix of online learning and face-to-face teaching.

 

 

How many hours per week are students expected to study?

 

This is entirely up to the course provider to decide. As a guide, if students are expected to complete the course over a period of 3 months, the weekly average study time would be 3-4 hours online plus 1 hour face-to-face.

 

What is the ratio of the online versus face-to-face elements?

The recommended ratio is 75% online and 25% face-to-face. However, the course design is sufficiently flexible to allow for adjustments to fit in with local teaching arrangements e.g. teachers may wish to increase the face-to-face element by incorporating some online exercise materials into classes.

 

Can students study 100% online?

 

Yes they can, although students working entirely on their own would obviously miss out on the face-to-face elements and would not have any marked assignments returned to them.

 

All courses must still be booked through a tuition provider and it will be for the candidate and tutor to agree the level of the blended element depending upon requirements.

 

What does the online element include?

 

The online element of this blended course includes both presentation and self-study practice material, organised into 20 topic-based modules. Each module begins with a presentation unit, which uses video and detailed overview text to introduce the module topic and key language. The topic is then dealt with in the next four online units, each focusing on a different skill (speaking, listening, reading and writing). Each module contains a mix of language work, specialist vocabulary, and a focus on the skills finance professionals need in order to communicate and work effectively in English. Authentic situations and issues from the financial and corporate world are presented through realistic video, audio and reading materials. This multimedia interactive content is hosted in a learning management system (LMS) which, among other features, allows for the discussion of topics in forums; includes notice boards for the teacher to upload files, assign tasks, or set objectives; and offers tools which allows the teacher to follow students’ online activity.

 

How are the face-to-face sessions organised and structured?

 

Face-to-face sessions can be arranged to fit in with an individual’s or organisation’s time schedule. They should be organised by the administrator in liaison with teaching staff. Our training co-ordinator will advise you on how best to structure the face-to-face element.

 

Will there be any training and guidance for setting up the course?

 

Training and guidance is delivered through handbooks specially written for teachers, students and administrators.

 

Do teachers need to familiarise themselves with the Learning Management System (LMS) before they start teaching?

 

The LMS is very intuitive and user-friendly. It includes online training materials, both in written format and as short video training clips. In addition, your administrator will be trained by us so that they can disseminate training to local teaching staff.

 

How are students enrolled onto the course?

 

Our portal administrator will set up your nominated administrator who will be trained by us to enrol students and teachers on the LMS.

 

 

Can students enrol at any time of the year?

 

This is dependent upon course providers, who may choose to run their courses at any time and over any time frame. Licences may be purchased and activated within a short lead time.

 

What happens when students complete the course?

 

Students who have completed the course successfully should be ready to take the Cambridge International Certificate in Financial English examination. Cambridge ICFE examinations are held twice a year in May and November, through Cambridge ESOL’s network of centres. See www.financialenglish.org for more details.

 

Does the course contain any previous examination papers?

 

Cambridge ICFE past papers are available in the course resources and exam practice materials which can be downloaded from: www.financialenglish.org/icfe/Learning-materials.html

 

Who can I contact if I have any further queries?

 

If you are a student already enrolled on the course, please contact your administrator.

 

If you are an employer or tuition provider contact your local ACCA, Cambridge ESOL or Cambridge University Press representative or email enquiries@financialenglish.org