Brussels Cambridge Esol Teacher Support Programme

8/3/2019 Brussels Cambridge Esol Teacher Support Programme

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British Council BrusselsExamination Services

Revised 29/11/05

Cambridge ESOL1 Teacher Support ProgrammeSeminars for Teachers

British Council Brussels runs a programme of seminars for teachers of English interested in exam preparation.Most seminars take place in our office in Brussels but they may also take place at one of our three regionalcentres based at the University of Antwerp, University of Brussels or University of Louvain-la-Neuve. In addition,we are able to respond to demand and organise a seminar at your institution or at our office in Brussels on oneof the topics or combination of topics below at a date suitable to your needs and for a minimum of eight teachersand/ or administrators.AudienceMost seminars are designed for teachers of English concerned with Cambridge ESOL exams preparation; someare also suitable as introductions for administrators, school directors, etc.

Focus Some seminars are intended to provide information and support for teachers who are familiar with the examsbut do not have a lot of experience in preparing for these examinations. Others can be used to introduce teachers to the Cambridge ESOL exams.

Format The format is flexible, and can be adjusted according to local needs. Most seminars are designed to fit into a three-hour session. There are also one-hour introductory talks. The seminar leaders provide:

Explanation of the content and aims of the exam Information and advice about candidate performance and preparation

Participants are encouraged to discuss the exams from their local perspective.

PresentersCambridge ESOL has a network of presenters based in the major countries where the Cambridge examinationsare taken and this is the case for Belgium with a team of seven presenters.

Cambridge ESOL exam range

A1 Breakthrough Young Learners of English (YLE Starters & YLE Movers)

A2 Waystage Young Learners of English (YLE Flyers)Key English Test (KET)

B1 Threshold Preliminary English Test (PET)Business English Certificate (BEC) PreliminaryCertificate in English Language Skills (CELS) Preliminary

B2 Vantage First Certificate in English (FCE)Business English Certificate (BEC) VantageCertificate in English Language Skills (CELS) Vantage

C1 Effective Proficiency Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)Business English Certificate (BEC) HigherCertificate in English Language Skills (CELS) Higher

C2 Mastery Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE):

1 Cambridge ESOL: University of Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.


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List of seminars available in Belgium

Cambridge ESOL Introduction seminar (up to 1h15)A presentation on Cambridge ESOL for teachers or other audiences who are unfamiliar with theCambridge ESOL examinations. This PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of CambridgeESOL and its provision of examinations and related services. It can be adapted and supplemented asrequired. "The most comprehensive range of EFL examinations in the world: Examinations in EFLwere started in 1913 with the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Today UCLES EFL offers themost comprehensive range of EFL examinations in the world. As well as the Main Suite of five levelsof General English, there are also tests for Young Learners, for teachers, for those interested inBusiness English and for those needing English for study purposes"

What's In An Exam? (3 hrs)Cambridge EFL examinations are taken by hundreds of thousands of people in countries all over theworld each year. This seminar looks at the procedures for the design, production and validation ofthese exams.We will look at

Theoretical issues influencing the design of language tests The UCLES EFL model of test design and test production The role of quality control in test implementation.

This seminar will be of most interest to teachers who are familiar with UCLES examinations and areinterested in a behind the scenes look at the work that goes into designing and producinginternational exams.

Young Learners English Tests Introduction seminar (1, 2 or 3 hrs)The Cambridge Young Learners English Tests (YLE) are designed for children ages 7 - 12. They areavailable at three basic levels, leading to the ALTE / Cambridge Level 1, and are based on activitiesand language uses appropriate to children around the world.This PowerPoint presentation provides an introduction for teachers and others to YLE, including

The background to the development of the testsAn introduction to the three levels of the testsA review of the skills that are testedSamples of the test materials, including video extracts showing children taking the Speaking test

Get ready for YLE (3 hrs)The seminar is aimed at teachers who are already preparing candidates for the tests, or who may benew to them. It includes:

Background to the development of the tests Practical tips to help develop young learners' exam-taking skills A discussion of the parts of the test, with sample tasks and audio and video extracts A discussion of the speaking assessment criteria based on candidates' performance Ideas for how best to exploit course book materials Practical classroom ideas and activities.

Key English Test and Preliminary English Test Introduction seminar (3 hrs)KET and PET are the two Cambridge examinations designed to assess all four language skills(Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening) in general English for learners at a basic and elementarylevel. This presentation provides an introduction to KET and PET and it can be adapted andsupplemented as required. It includes:

The levels and standards assessed by KET and PET in relation to the Common EuropeanFramework

Information about the format, content & aims of the examinations, and the candidates

Details about the updates made to the exams for 2004 A review of how candidates are assessed, particularly in Writing and Speaking, using samples

of candidates written answers and video extracts

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A review of how candidates are assessed, particularly in Writing and Speaking, using samplesof candidates written answers and video extracts

Discussion of the FCE tasks by looking at samples, and how best to prepare candidates forthem

Suggestions for classroom activities related to the examination.

FCE Skills Seminars (3 hrs each) to be combined with another one or taken separatelyFive separate seminars dealing with each of the five FCE papers: Reading, Writing, Use of English,Listening & Speaking. They are intended for teachers who are preparing candidates for FCE, or whomay be new to the exam. The seminars include:

An overview of candidate performance in the exam

A review of what each FCE paper tests and how candidates are assessed

Classroom activities to prepare for FCE exam tasks

Samples of candidates written answers and video extracts showing students performance

CAE Introduction seminar (3 hrs)CAE is an advanced examination, at Council of Europe Level C1, designed to assess all four

language skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening) in general English.This seminar provides an introduction to the examination for teachers, and includes:

The format, content & aims of the examination

A review of how candidates are assessed, particularly in Writing and Speaking, using samplesof candidates' written answers and video extracts

Discussion of the CAE tasks and how best to prepare candidates for them, and suggestionsfor classroom activities related to the examination.

CAE Reading and Writing (one 3-hour seminar or two 2-hour seminars)CAE is an advanced examination, at Council of Europe Level C1, designed to assess all fourlanguage skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening) in general English.For teachers who are preparing candidates for CAE, or may be new to the exam.This seminar includes:

A review of what the papers test and how candidates are assessed.

Samples Reading and Writing question papers

Classroom activities to prepare for CAE Reading & Writing exam tasks.

Samples of candidates' written answers.

CAE English in Use (3hrs)For teachers who are preparing candidates for CAE, or may be new to the exam.This seminar includes:

brief overview of the CAE examination content and testing aims of each type of task

to consider assessment criteria and expected standards (candidate performance)

to provide guidance and support to teachers preparing candidates for the exam.

To suggest ideas for classroom activities which will develop the type of skills needed for theexam.

CAE Listening & Speaking (2 separate seminars of 3 hrs each)For teachers who are preparing candidates for CAE, or may be new to the exam.This seminar includes:

An overview of candidate performance in the Listening & Speaking papers of CAE

A review of what the papers test and how candidates are assessed

Samples from the Listening paper and Video extracts of CAE students performance in theSpeaking test

Classroom activities to prepare for CAE Listening & Speaking exam tasks



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CPE Introduction seminar (1 to 3 hrs)CPE is the fifth and highest level of the Cambridge Main Suite examinations. It is an advanced levelexamination designed to assess all four language skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening) ingeneral English. It is accepted very widely throughout the world, as proof of competence in English forhigher education.The revised examination was introduced in December 2002.This seminar provides an introduction to the examination for teachers, and includes:

The format, content & aims of the revised examination A review of how candidates are assessed, particularly in Writing and Use of English Illustration of the Speaking Test using video extracts.

CPE Reading, Listening and Use of English (3 hrs)This seminar follows up on the introductory seminar to provide a more detailed look at the Reading,Use of English & Listening components of the revised 2002 examination. It is preferable, but notessential, for teachers already to have some familiarity with the Revised CPE.In the seminar we will:

Review the tasks and testing aims of the Reading, Use of English and Listening papers

Look at expected standards Provide guidance for candidate preparation.

CPE Writing and Speaking (one 3-hour seminar or two 3-hour seminars)This seminar follows up on the introductory seminar to provide a more detailed look at the Writing andSpeaking components of the revised examination. It is preferable, but not essential, for teachersalready to have some familiarity with the Revised CPE.In the seminar we will:

Discuss the aims and format of the Revised CPE Writing & Speaking tests Use examples of students' writing and speaking to explore the assessment criteria Provide guidance for candidate preparation.

CPE Writing Tasks (3 hrs)The seminar assumes those attending are already familiar with the revised CPE examination.The aims are to:

Review the tasks in Paper 2 Writing and Paper 3 Use of English (Part 5 / Summary) Discuss the testing aims of each type of task Consider assessment criteria and methods Focus on candidate preparation and managing the writing assignment task cycle

BEC Introduction Seminar (2 hrs 45)For teachers who are already familiar with BEC, or who may be new to the examinations.It includes:

A review of the purpose and scope of the BEC exams, at all three levels An overview of levels, grades and Papers, with the main changes highlighted A review of how candidates are assessed, using examples of candidates' writing and speaking An opportunity to discuss the preparation of candidates for the exams.

BEC Reading and Listening (3 hrs each if 3 the levels are covered)This seminar provides the opportunity for teachers to look in more depth at the BEC exams.It is preferable, but not essential, for teachers to be already familiar with the Revised BEC exams.

BEC Writing and Speaking (3 hrs)This seminar provides the opportunity for teachers to look in more depth at the Productive Skillscomponents of the Revised BEC exams, to be introduced from March 2002. It is preferable, but notessential, for teachers to be already familiar with the Revised BEC exams. The seminar will:

Discuss the aims and format of the Revised BEC Writing & Speaking tests; Use examples of students' writing and speaking to explore the assessment criteria;



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Compare the differences in standard between the three levels of the exams.

CELS Introduction seminar (2hrs15)The UCLES Certificates in English Language Skills (CELS) are a range of modular examinations,developed from the Certificates in Communicative Skills in English (CCSE) and the Oxford EFLReading and Writing Tests. Candidates can choose to take one or more single-skill module, at one ofthree levels.This seminar is for teachers who are new to this range of tests; it will be of particular relevance tothose who are interested in single-skill tests at a range of levels. It will provide an overview of theCELS suite of exams and samples of new tasks, including video extracts of the Speaking Tests. Itstarts with an introduction on Cambridge ESOL examinations.

CELS Writing and Speaking (3 hrs)The UCLES Certificates in English Language Skills (CELS) are a range of modular examinations.This seminar provides the opportunity for teachers to look in more depth at the Tests of Writing andSpeaking. It is preferable, but not essential, for teachers to be already familiar with the new CELSexams.

The seminar will: Discuss the aims and format of the CELS Tests of Writing and Speaking Review the skills required in these Tests Use examples of students writing and speaking to explore the assessment criteria.

CELS Reading and Listening (3 hrs)The UCLES Certificates in English Language Skills (CELS) are a new range of modular examinations,to be introduced around the world in 2002. This seminar provides the opportunity for teachers to lookin more depth at the Tests of Writing and Speaking.It is preferable, but not essential, for teachers to be already familiar with the new CELS exams.The seminar will:

Discuss the aims and format of the CELS Tests of Reading and Listening

Review the skills required in these Tests Use examples of students writing and speaking to explore the assessment criteria.


Documents

Brussels Cambridge Esol Teacher Support Programme