A stimulating and thorough approach to language learning, combined with focused exam preparation, has made First Certificate Masterclass one of the most successful and popular Cambridge English: First courses available. As well as covering all the essential ground, the course fosters student autonomy throughout. Rather than merely listing grammar rules, the materials encourage students to work them out for themselves. A freer approach to practice means that students' own views count: they can talk about themselves, and bring in their own experiences, and this in turn helps stimulate ideas for Writing and Speaking. Personalisation also enables students to practise exam tasks without feeling they are just being 'groomed' for exam success.