B2 First Lessons | Writing, Speaking, Grammar & Use of English

Prepare for B2 First with clear, practical lessons on writing, speaking, Use of English, grammar and vocabulary.

B2 First, also known as FCE, is an important Cambridge English exam for upper-intermediate learners. It shows that you can use English confidently in everyday situations, study, work and travel. However, preparing for the exam is not only about knowing English. You also need to understand the tasks, the timing, the exam format and the type of language Cambridge examiners expect.

On this page, you will find B2 First lessons to help you prepare step by step. You can practise writing, improve your speaking skills, build your grammar and vocabulary, and become more confident with Use of English tasks.

Whether you are preparing for the exam on your own or with a teacher, these lessons will help you study in a clear and organised way.

What can you learn here?

This B2 First section is organised into the main areas of the exam:

B2 First Writing
B2 First Speaking
B2 First Use of English
B2 First Grammar
B2 First Vocabulary
B2 First Reading and Listening

Each section below will guide you to useful lessons, explanations, examples and practice activities.

B2 First Writing

Writing is one of the most important parts of B2 First. Many learners know enough English, but they lose marks because their writing is not well organised, not clear enough, or not written in the right style.

In B2 First Writing, you need to learn how to:

plan your answer before you start writing
organise ideas into clear paragraphs
use appropriate formal or informal language
support your ideas with examples
use linking words naturally
avoid common grammar and vocabulary mistakes
answer the task fully

Useful B2 First Writing topics include:

B2 First essay writing
B2 First article writing
B2 First review writing
B2 First informal email or letter
B2 First story writing
useful phrases for B2 First Writing
common B2 First Writing mistakes
how to improve organisation in writing

Start with these lessons:

B2 First Speaking

The speaking paper can feel stressful because you have to speak in real time. You need to answer questions, compare photos, discuss ideas with another candidate and express your opinions clearly.

The good news is that B2 First Speaking becomes much easier when you know what each part of the exam expects.

In B2 First Speaking, you need to practise how to:

answer personal questions naturally
compare two photos
speculate about what is happening
give and support opinions
agree and disagree politely
keep a discussion going
make suggestions
respond to your partner’s ideas

Start with these lessons:

B2 First Use of English

Use of English is often one of the most challenging parts of B2 First. It tests your grammar, vocabulary, collocations, phrasal verbs, word formation and sentence transformation skills.

This part of the exam rewards accuracy. You need to notice small details such as prepositions, verb forms, articles, word families and fixed expressions.

In B2 First Use of English, you need to practise:

multiple-choice cloze
open cloze
word formation
key word transformations
phrasal verbs
collocations
prepositions
grammar patterns

Useful B2 First Use of English topics include:

B2 First key word transformations
B2 First word formation
B2 First open cloze
B2 First multiple-choice cloze
common phrasal verbs for B2 First
common collocations for B2 First
grammar structures often tested in the exam

Start with these lessons:

B2 First Grammar

Good grammar helps you write more accurately, speak more clearly and understand exam texts more easily. At B2 level, you do not need to sound complicated all the time, but you do need to use grammar with confidence and control.

Important grammar areas for B2 First include:

present perfect and past simple
present perfect continuous
past perfect
future forms
conditionals
modal verbs
passive voice
reported speech
relative clauses
gerunds and infinitives
articles
prepositions
comparatives and superlatives

When you study grammar for B2 First, try not to memorise rules only. Focus on how each structure is used in real sentences, exam answers and everyday communication.

Start with these lessons:

B2 First Vocabulary

A strong vocabulary range is essential for B2 First. You need vocabulary for writing, speaking, reading and Use of English. However, learning single words is not enough. You also need to learn how words work together.

At B2 level, focus on:

collocations
phrasal verbs
word families
topic vocabulary
formal and informal expressions
linking words
adjectives and adverbs
common confusing words

Useful vocabulary topics include:

education
work
travel
technology
health
the environment
relationships
feelings and opinions
describing people and places
giving reasons and examples

Start with these lessons:

B2 First Reading and Listening

Reading and Listening are also important parts of B2 First preparation. These skills improve when you practise regularly and learn how to notice meaning, detail, opinion and attitude.

For reading, practise how to:

understand the main idea
find specific information
recognise opinion and attitude
understand text organisation
guess meaning from context
notice synonyms and paraphrasing

For listening, practise how to:

listen for the main idea
listen for detail
recognise speakers’ opinions
notice distractors
understand natural speech
focus on key words and paraphrases

To improve these skills, read and listen to English regularly. Choose materials that are challenging but not impossible. Short articles, interviews, podcasts, exam-style texts and graded materials can all help.

How to study for B2 First

A good B2 First study plan should include a mixture of grammar, vocabulary, exam practice and real communication.

You can study like this:

Practise writing once or twice a week.
Review useful grammar regularly.
Learn vocabulary in phrases, not just single words.
Do Use of English practice little and often.
Record yourself speaking and listen back.
Read short English texts several times a week.
Listen to English regularly, even for a few minutes a day.
Keep a notebook for mistakes and useful expressions.

The most important thing is consistency. You do not need to study for hours every day. A little regular practice is usually better than one long study session once in a while.

Private B2 First Lessons

If you would like personal help with your B2 First preparation, I also offer private English lessons online.

Lessons can focus on:

B2 First Writing
B2 First Speaking
Use of English
grammar and vocabulary
exam strategy
feedback on your writing
speaking confidence

Each lesson lasts 55 minutes and costs €24.

If you would like to study with me, visit the Contact page and send me a message.

Final thoughts

B2 First is a challenging exam, but it becomes much more manageable when you prepare in an organised way. Start with the area you find most difficult, then build your confidence step by step.

Use these B2 First lessons to improve your writing, speaking, grammar, vocabulary and exam skills. With regular practice, clear explanations and good feedback, you can make real progress and feel much more confident on exam day.