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Introduction to the Cambridge English Examinations

Provadis Partner für Bildung & Beratung GmbH

Diane Oliver

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© UCLES 2013

Cambridge English Language Assessment

•non-profit department of the University of Cambridge

•exams for learners of English since 1913

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Cambridge English Language Assessment

• Exams taken and recognised worldwide

• Over 2,500 centres in 130 countries

• Currently around 5 m candidates each year

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Cambridge English exams:real English in real contexts

Assessment of all four language skills in practical contexts

A positive learning experience

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Cambridge English exams:real English in real contexts

• improve career prospects

• prepare for further education

• prepare for travel abroad

• obtain a prestigious certificate

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Recognition

• Cambridge exams are recognised worldwide• in education

• in business

• by ministries and government bodies

More information:

www.cambridgeenglish.org/recognition/

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Recognition: info on website

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Cambridge English exams are designed around four essential qualities:

Validity

Reliability

Impact

Practicality

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What is the benefit for teachers?• contents of exams correlate with large parts of the

school curricula

• tasks are based on authentic texts / situations

• preparation supplements and enriches your lessons

• Cambridge English offers a vast amount of teacher support materials (handbooks, online resources) and teachers seminars

• expert knowledge on educational matters such as how to conduct speaking exams

• feedback and confirmation of the quality of your lessons

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Cambridge English Language Assessment

Main Suite Examinations:

• CPE – Certificate of Proficiency in English

• CAE - Certificate of Advanced English

• FCE – First Certificate in English

• PET – the Preliminary English Test

• KET – the Key English Test

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Cambridge English Language Assessment

Business English Examinations:

• BEC Higher

• BEC Vantage

• BEC Preliminary

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Cambridge English Language Assessment

Young Learners Examinations:

• YLE Flyers

• YLE Movers

• YLE Starters

Academic Assessment:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Business Assessment:

• Business Language Testing Service (BULATS)

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Cambridge English Exams

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Cambridge Exams / CEFR Levels

transition

‘primär-sekundär’

Young Learners Starters

Young Learners Movers A1

Hauptschule Key English Test (KET) A2

Mittlerer Bildungsabschluss

Preliminary English Test B1

Abitur - Grundkurs First Certificate (FCE) B2

Leistungskurs Advanced (CAE) C1

Proficiency C2

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Statement of Results

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Certificates

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Main Suite Exams – Length of PapersPET FCE from 2015 CAE from 2015

Reading (and Use of English) 1 hr 30 m

1 hr 15 m 1 hr 30 m

Writing 1 hr 20 m 1 hr 30 m

Listening 35 m 40 m 40 m

Speaking 12 m 14 m 15 m

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BEC Exams – Length of Papers

Preliminary Vantage Higher

Reading

1 hr 30m

1 hr 1 hr

Writing 45 m 1 hr 10 m

Listening 40 m 40 m 40 m

Speaking 12 m 14 m 16 m

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Question Paper Production Process

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Speaking Tests Team Leader System

• TL system to objectively assess candidates

• regular training sessions

• standardized assessment criteria

• 2 examiners

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Quality Management System for Speaking Examiners

23

Recruitment Induction Training

Monitoring

CertificationEvaluation

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www.cambridgeenglish.org

Support for Candidates

Teaching Resources

Recognition

Research Notes

Pretesting

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www.cambridgeenglish.org

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Cambridge English Penfriends

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Cambridge English Penfriends

penfriends.cambridgeenglish.org/

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Why take part?

� Connect to a school in another part of the world, safely and easily

� Access new, fun classroom activities

� Help your students practise reading and writing in English

� Show students that English is practical, helping them communicate internationally

� Build your students’ confidence as they communicate in English with another student.

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� YLE level

� Online/PC game

� Add it to your own website!

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� YLE-PET level

� Multi-platform: iOS, Android, Online

� Add it to your own website!

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Support for teachers• Teacher Support Website

www.cambridgeenglish.org

• Free resources – lesson plans, handbooks, etc.

• Exam discussion forums

• Teacher Tips

• Seminars, webinars aand conferences

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Nearly 2 million fans and followers on our Facebook and Twitter pages

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• CoursesEarn a certificate from Cambridge.

• WebinarsInteract with expert trainers.

• KnowledgeArticles with industry-leading ideas.

Join atwww.CambridgeEnglishTeacher.org

OnlineProfessionalDevelopment

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Pretesting

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Termine, Preise, Infos, Lehrerfortbildung:

www.cambridge-hessen.de

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www.cambridge-hessen.de

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www.cambridge-hessen.de

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www.cambridge-hessen.de

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Contact

Diane Oliver

Cambridge Centre Exams Manager

Provadis Partner für Bildung & Beratung

Industriepark Höchst

Gebäude B 845

Tel.: 069 305 45629

Email: diane.oliver@provadis.de