Downloads
ONE ENGLISH school presentation
ONE ENGLISH offerings
English skill levels and pdfs about exams and certificates
Schedules and event invitations
Upcoming events
Upcoming events pdf

FAQ
General questions
How are language skills measured?
The most common ways to measure English language skills include CEFR (ranging from A1 to C2), the IELTS scale (ranging from e.g. 4.0 for a Limited user to 9.0 indicateing an Expert user) and the Cambridge English Scale (ranging from 80 to 230). Sometimes required English skills are also indicated by the name of the exam you must have passed (CFE through CAE to CPE).
We have compiled a pdf with detailed information (in English): pdf English levels explained.
What is my current level of English?
Language skills have different aspects, often divided into reading, writing, speaking, listening (understanding).
For a first quick assessment of your current language skills we have developed our ONE ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST.
In the first part you will take a multiple-choice test (Download pdf). You can fill out the test digitally in the pdf and send it to us by e-mail or you can print the pdf and fill it out. Or you can simply send us your selections (a to d) and we will evaluate your test (basel@oneenglish.ch).
In the second part we will assess your level of speaking and listening (understanding) by talking to you a little bit. This can be done by phone, video call or in person at the school (Steinengraben 16, 4051 Basel).
In this way we can get a realistic picture of your language skills in a relatively short time, which is very important to be able to offer you the best possible, individual offer.
What is "Cambridge English" and "Cambridge Basel"?
This question is not easy to answer because many different, unrelated organisations use the name “Cambridge”. So here’s everything you should know:
The University of Cambridge in England has a so-called non-teaching department, the “University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate” (UCLES). UCLES runs the website cambridgeenglish.org and also operates under the brand name “Cambridge Assessment”. In order to take your Cambridge English exam, you must register at an examination centre authorised by UCLES (“Exam centre”). You are free to choose which examination centre you would like to take your exam at. You can find all examination centres worldwide at https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/find-an-exam-centre/
In Switzerland there are currently 16 idependent organisations authorised as “Exam centres” by the University of Cambridge.
One of these exam centres is run by the private company “Cambridge Examinations Basel GmbH”, which can be reached at cambridgeenglish-basel.ch
Another exam centre is run by the private company “Swiss Exams GmbH”, based in Winterthur, which can be reached at swiss-exams.ch. This company also operates the website cambridge-exams.ch
Then there is a chain of language schools which operates under the name “The Cambridge Institute”. This is a private language school (not an exam centre) with no organisational connection to the University of Cambridge.
Who will my teacher be?
Your teacher will be a fully qualified native speaker with a university background.
Will I always have the same teacher?
We want to ensure as much continuity as possible in our courses. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that the teacher who will be teaching your course will always be available, so there will be substitution lessons as an exception.
Furthermore, if you join our conversation classes or social activities, you might have a different teacher.
Can I choose my teacher?
Usually we will assign your teacher to you. However, if you get recommendation from a friend for a particular teacher, we will try to assign that teacher to you.
What type of school events do you organise?
Our school is sociable. We like to connect with our students and we do this through our social activities. We organized events such as:
- Movie nights
- Wine nights
- Quiz nights
- Book club
- Speed- dating
- English slang
- Holiday survival night
Contact details and social media accounts
How do I get in touch with ONE ENGLISH?
If you are interested to meet in person, e.g. for a first consultation on your options, you are very welcome to either make an appointment via Facebook (you don’t have to be on Facebook to use the booking tool).
Alternatively, please write to us (eMail basel@oneenglish.ch or Whatsapp chat +41 61 511 22 11) or call us (+41 61 511 22 11, also possible via Whatsapp call).
You can find all information, including directions, on this page: Contact us
Classification, individual offer and ensuring learning success
How do you determine my level?
Language skills have different aspects, often divided into reading, writing, speaking, listening (understanding).
For a first quick assessment of your current language skills we have developed our ONE ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST.
In the first part you will take a multiple-choice test (Download pdf). You can fill out the test digitally in the pdf and send it to us by e-mail or you can print the pdf and fill it out. Or you can simply send us your selections (a to d) and we will evaluate your test (basel@oneenglish.ch).
In the second part we will assess your level of speaking and listening (understanding) by talking to you a little bit. This can be done by phone, video call or in person at the school (Steinengraben 16, 4051 Basel).
In this way we can get a realistic picture of your language skills in a relatively short time, which is very important to be able to offer you the best possible, individual offer.
How does ONE ENGLISH monitor my learning progress?
In the case of private or group lessons, we regularly hold short feedback meetings. We will give you feedback to ensure that you are on the fastest and most realistic way to reach your goal. We also collect feedback from our students in order to be able to respond to each one in the best possible way.
In the case of the certificate courses, we also organize trial exams (mock tests) approx. halfway through each course. Your result in the trial exam and your progress and participation in the course is the basis for our follow-up learning progress meeting, at which we will give you further in-depth advice.
Do you offer trial exams / mock test at ONE ENGLISH??
Yes! We organize mid-course trial exams (including full speaking exam) and students receive a full feedback of the written and speaking test from their teacher.
If a student wants to do more trial exams we will provide them with the material needed.
When am I ready to successfully take the exam?
Since this question can only be answered individually, your teacher will discuss this in detail with you at the progress meeting, about halfway through the course. We will then recommend a date for the exam, depending on your progress and your schedule.
Questions about the course offerings
Where can I find more information about the FCE course?
You can find everything about the ONE ENGLISH FCE course here
Additionally, we have compiled a pdf with more information about the exam and the certificate: B2 First (FCE) exam and certificate overview
Where can I find more information about the CAE course?
You can find everything about the ONE ENGLISH CAE course here
Additionally, we have compilled a pdf with more information about the exam and the certificate: C1 Advanced (CAE) exam and certificate overview
Where can I find more information about the CAE express lane course?
You can find everything about the ONE ENGLISH CAE express lane course here
Additionally, we have compiled a pdf with more information about the exam and the certificate: C1 Advanced (CAE) exam and certificate overview
Where can I find more information about the CPE course?
You can find everything about the ONE ENGLISH CPE course here
Additionally, we have compiled a pdf with more information about the exam and the certificate: C2 Proficiency (CPE) exam and certificate overview
Where can I find more information about the IELTS course?
You can find everything about the ONE ENGLISH IELTS course here
Additionally, we have compiled a pdf with more information about the exam and the certificate: IELTS exam and certificate overview
Where can I find more information about the Grammar revision course?
You can find everything about the ONE ENGLISH Grammar revision course here
When is the deadline to register for a course?
Our courses take place in small groups, which we arrange on a “first come – first served” basis. It is advisable to register early for a course.
However, sometimes we still have a free place shortly before the course starts. Occasionally we can also accept you into a course that has recently started. In this case you can join immediately, if necessary we will give you some private lessons to make up for the lessons you missed. However, this is very individual, so please contact us and we will be happy to clarify the possibilities.
Can I join a course late?
Occasionally we can also accept you into a course that has recently started. In this case you can join immediately, if necessary we will give you some private lessons to make up for the lessons you missed. However, this is very individual, so please contact us and we will be happy to clarify the possibilities.
How long do the courses run?
This varies, but most courses are just under two hours per appointment. In addition, we usually take a short break after the first part of the course to achieve maximum progress.
How many people are in a course?
Our courses are usually small groups. Normally, there are no more than eight people in a course.
How do you support students outside of the course?
For maximum learning success it is highly recommended that you study outside of the course. In order to support you as much as possible we give you exercises for self-study. You can submit your exercises to your teacher in class and you will receive them back the following week with feedback.
Can ONE ENGLISH teach at our office or company premises?
We offer all our services including Specialized English for corporate clients. Please contact us and we will try to provide you with an offer that perfectly fits your needs.
If I can't make course hours, are there other alternatives?
We are happy to offer you private lessons if a course is not suitable for you.
Do you organise courses for teenagers?
We do not organise specific courses for teenagers. However, teenagers are welcome to join adult courses.
Will we just work from the textbook?
We want to make our courses as enjoyable as possible. Working strictly through the textbook is not the way we like to teach at ONE ENGLISH. Our teachers like to work with self-made, authentic materials. and adapt the topics and learning materials to the interests and needs of the students.
Do course fees include exam fees?
The exams are held by external organisations that are independent of ONE ENGLISH. Therefore, exam fees are not included in our course fees.
Are my materials included in the course price?
The exact scope of services is specified on the course information page. Usually all teaching materials are included in the course price.
Questions about certificate exams
What is KET?
A2 Key (KET) is a Cambridge exam. You can find out everything about the KET exam with our pdf: A2 Key (KET) exam and certificate overview.
What is PET?
B1 Preliminary (PET) is a Cambridge exam. You can find out everything about the PET exam with our pdf: B1 Preliminary (PET) exam and certificate overview
What is FCE?
B2 First (FCE) is a Cambridge exam. You can find out everything about the FCE exam with our pdf: B2 First (FCE) exam and certificate overview.
What is CAE?
C1 Advanced (CAE) is a Cambridge exam. You can find out everything about the CAE exam with our pdf: C1 Advanced (CAE) exam and certificate overview.
What is CPE?
C2 Proficiency (CPE) is a Cambridge exam. You can find out everything about the CPE exam with our pdf: C2 Proficiency (CPE) exam and certificate overview.
What is BEC?
BEC are Cambridge Business English exams. You can find out everything about the BEC exams with our pdf: Cambridge Business English (BEC) exams and certificates overview.
What is IELTS?
Read our IELTS exam and certificate pdf , to find out more about the IELTS exam.
What is TOEFL?
Read our TOEFL exam and certificate pdf, to find out more about the TOEFL exam.
Where should I register for my exam?
If you want to register for a Cambridge exam, you can find detailed information here:
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/register-for-an-exam/
If you want to register for the IELTS exam, you can find detailed information here:
https://www.ielts.org/book-a-test/find-a-test-location/location-list/switzerland/tv
If you want to register for the TOEFL exam, you can find detailed information here:
How much time in advance should I register for my exam?
Places to take an exam are allocated on a “first come – first served” basis. It is advisable to register for an exam early (preferably at least three months in advance).
Questions about Specialized English
What type of Specialized English do you offer?
We offer a wide range of Specialized English topics such as:
- Medical English
- Business English
- English for Insurance
- English for Accounting
- English for Pharma
- English for Engineering
- Aviation English
- English for Cabin Crew
- English for Hospitality
What should I expect from Specialized English?
We always teach a combination of General and Specialized English, depending on the current level of the participants. General English thus provides a solid basis for the respective Specialized English.The Specialized English programs place particular emphasis on immediate practical application, so we use the most realistic material possible in our course design. If you actively participate in the course, we will issue you a ONE ENGLISH course certificate upon completion.
Find out more with our Specialized English pdf.
Questions about company offerings
Does ONE ENGLISH work together with companies?
We gladly work together with companies! We have created a separate page with an overview of all company offers: Companies offerings: Company offerings
Studying abroad
When I want to study in the USA, which certificate do I need?
This may vary, but different educational institutions provide detailed information on their websites. Generally, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) has a very high acceptance at US educational institutions and is often a prerequisite for admission to university.
TOEFL is a multiple-choice test, the certificate has a limited validity of 2 years.
We have compiled a pdf-document with an overview of the TOEFL: pdf-document about the TOEFL exam and the TOEFL certificate
When I want to study in England/UK what certificate do I need?
This may vary, but different educational institutions provide more detailed information on their websites. Generally, IELTS and the FCE Cambridge certificate (usually the minimum) or better the CAE Cambridge certifcate (sufficient for most courses of study) have a very high acceptance among educational institutions in the UK and are often a prerequisite for admission to a course of study.
IELTS certificates have a limited validity of 2 years.
Cambridge certificates have no expiry date.
pdf-document about the IELTS examinations (in English)
Terms of business and payment
What are the terms and conditions at ONE ENGLISH?
When you book a course with us, we sign a (standard) contract in which everything is regulated. If you have a specific question, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
What payment methods does ONE ENGLISH accept?
We accept cash payments, however, we appreciate a bank transfer with our invoice number („Rechnung XYZ“) as the reference.
Can I pay in instalments?
We accept payments in instalments. For more information, please contact us directly.