English Speaking Advanced (B2 → C1)
Locations: Utrecht, Virtual Classroom
Level: Advanced (B2/C1)
This course focuses on high-level English speaking skills. You will refine your pronunciation and learn to speak in a nuanced and convincing manner. During the course, you will work towards level C1.
About the course
Do you work or study in English and want to speak more nuanced and convincingly ? In this Advanced English Speaking Course, you will work purposefully on your oral skills for work, study and your private life. Using recognisable, everyday topics, you will practise skills such as giving your opinion, telling a story, and exchanging and summarising information. The focus is on active speaking in challenging situations. You will improve your pronunciation, expand your vocabulary and learn to express yourself with subtle differences in meaning.
Who is it for?
This course has been developed for anyone who wants to feel more confident when speaking English. If you want to sound more fluent and learn to express nuance, this is the right course for you! The course is suitable for higher professional education and university graduates who have mastered English at B2 level.
Before you start the course, we ask that you take our free placement test. This test will help us determine which course is right for you. You will receive personalised advice so that you can get the most out of the course!
Learning goals
In 9 lessons of English Speaking Skills you will be able to:
- speak more fluently at work and at school .
- distinguish between synonyms in formal and informal language use.
- learn to use metaphors and idioms correctly.
- substantiate your opinion with confidence.
- learn to deal with intercultural aspects of language.
- be able to use humour appropriately.
In this course, you will work towards language level C1. In addition, after completing the course, you will be able to participate with more confidence in complex conversations, discussions and presentations in English. You will express yourself clearly, interact well with your conversation partner and add nuance where necessary. You will lay a solid foundation for the follow-up course (Advanced English Speaking Course C1 – C2). If you have actively participated in at least 80% of the sessions, you will receive a certificate of participation from us.
Method
Our training method combines a structured approach with hands-on exercises. The lessons are active, personal, varied and practical. We always take your pace and learning style into account. Are you curious about how we structure the course?
Approach
You will work alternately in pairs, small groups and as a class. This allows you to practise intensively with situations you encounter in your daily life, such as asking for something in a restaurant and telling a story to family or colleagues. In the lessons, you will speak English as much as possible, so that you make progress fast and build confidence.
Teaching materials
You will work with the book English Vocabulary in Use (Upper-intermediate), supplemented with additional worksheets and videos. The materials are linked to practical topics and help you to apply the language directly in your own life. This means you will not only learn the rules, but above all learn what works in practice.
Teachers
You will be taught by an experienced trainer who is attentive to your learning goals and areas for development. You will receive regular, targeted feedback on your language use, pronunciation and communication. Your teacher will guide you step by step through the material and create a safe learning environment in which you will feel confident to practise and visibly grow.
Time Investment
- Sessions:
This course consists of 9 meetings. - Lesson time:
Each lesson lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes. - Frequency:
This course consists of one lesson per week. - Self-study:
You will spend 2 hours per week on self-study at home.
Practical
- For this course, we use the book “English Vocabulary in Use (Upper-intermediate)”. You can easily order this via our special book page. We ask that you have the material before the first lesson so that we can get off to a good start together.
- Do you work at Utrecht University or are you enrolled at this university as an exchange student? Then you are eligible for a 15% discount on this course. Register with your UU email address and the discount will be applied automatically.
Schedule
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Starting date: 1 September 2026 (Utrecht)
Day Date Start End Tuesday 1 September 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 8 September 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 15 September 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 22 September 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 29 September 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 6 October 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 13 October 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 20 October 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 27 October 2026 18:00 19:45 -
Starting date: 1 September 2026 (Virtual Classroom)
Day Date Start End Tuesday 1 September 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 8 September 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 15 September 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 22 September 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 29 September 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 6 October 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 13 October 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 20 October 2026 18:00 19:45 Tuesday 27 October 2026 18:00 19:45
Take our placement test
If you want to take a course at Babel, it is important to take our free placement test.
