CAMBRIDGE ESOLEXAMINATIONS: WHERE, WHAT,
HOW,WHY?
WHY?
WHAT?
HOW?
WHERE?
Why English language exams?
English spoken internationally by 1.5 billion people
certified proof of ability in English gives individuals: confidence to live and travel in other countries
ability to follow a course of study in English at tertiary level
a competitive advantage and workplace opportunities for appointment and promotion
Why Cambridge ESOL exams?
Cambridge exams are recognised worldwide in education
in business
by ministries and government bodies
МІНІСТЕРСТВО ОСВІТИ І НАУКИ УКРАЇНИ
Від 20.01.2011 р. № 1/9- 33
…
Про особливості державної підсумкової атестації
з іноземних мов у загальноосвітніх навчальних закладах
в 2010/2011 навчальному році
…………
Випускникам загальноосвітніх навчальних закладів, які мають міжнародний сертифікат (диплом) мовного іспиту … IELTS, … Cambridge ESOL, … рівня (B-1, B-2), зазначені вище іспити зараховуються як державна підсумкова атестація. У додаток до атестата про повну загальну середню освіту виставляються річна та атестаційна оцінки з цих предметів 12 балів.
Перший заступник Міністра, Б.М. Жебровський
Голова комісії з реорганізації
Cambridge ESOL mission
To provide language learners and teachers in a
wide variety of situations with access to a
range of high quality international exams,
tests and teachers' awards, which will help
them to achieve their life goals and have a
positive impact on their learning and
professional development experience.
Experts in language assessment
department of Cambridge University part of the Cambridge Assessment Group -
150years' experience 300+ specialist staff more than 30 dedicated researchers
The Common European Framework
provides a basis for language syllabi
describes language and skills for communication in a range of contexts
defines levels of proficiency
Cambridge ESOL Levels Council of Europe Levels
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) Mastery C2
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Effective Proficiency C1
Cambridge English: First (FCE) Vantage B2
Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET) Threshold B1
Cambridge English: Key (KET) Waystage A2
Breakthrough A1
World's leading range of language exams
over 2.5 million candidates a year in 130 countries
exams at all levels from C1-C2 tests of Business English, Legal and
Financial English, English for Young Learners, English for Academic Purposes
IELTS Teaching awards
Testing the right things
a syllabus based on current language use
the 4 skills: speaking, listening, reading, writing
the strategies and skills needed to cope with a foreign language in everyday real-life communication
What makes a good language test?
tests all four skills has positive washback effect easy to integrate into curriculum widely recognised motivating relates to real life FAIR and USEFUL
Qualities of fairness and usefulness
Validity
Reliability test production assessment
Impact
Practicality
Language
Difficulty
Measurement
Classroom
Availability
Stages in assessing performance
1. What – focus of assessment
2. How – methods, task design
Vetting and editing of material
Revision
Rejection
Question paper construction
Commissioning of material for question papers
Materials Bank
Pretest construction
Item analysis
Pretesting
Question paper production process
Ensuring reliability
item writer training task
specifications
pre-testing and trialling
Marking
Speaking/WritingCambridge ESOL
PSL (Speaking)/Principal Examiners (Writing)
T E A M L E A D E R S
E X A M I N E R S
Format: an overview
Paper FCE CAE BEC Vantage
1 Reading 1 hour 1 hour 15 min 1 hour
2 Writing 1 hour 20 min 1 hour 30 min 45 min
3 Use of English 45 min 1 hour -
4 Listening 40 min 40 min 40 min
5 Speaking 14 min 15 min 14 min
PET Reading tasks – keyTask type Text type Task focus
Matching b. Five descriptions of people, eight short adapted, authentic texts
3. Reading for specific information and detailed comprehension
True/False c. One adapted, authentic long factual text
2. Scanning for specific information
4-option multiple choice
a. One adapted, authentic long text
1. Reading for gist, detail, inference and global meaning. Understanding attitude, opinion and purpose
Overview of PET Speaking tasks
•Two examiners and two candidates•Part 1 (2–3 mins): candidates answer questions from the
interlocutor on personal information•Part 2 (2–3 mins): candidates discuss a simulated
situation together to discuss alternatives and negotiate
agreement•Part 3 (3 mins): each candidate has an extended turn
(about a minute) to describe a photograph•Part 4 (3 mins): candidates have a general conversation
together discussing opinions, likes and dislikes, etc. on the
topic of Part 3
Familiarity with test: basic
Format Timings Task Types Typical Content [text type / length] Length and Format of answers
Familiarity with test: deeper
Completing mark sheets Using/allocating time Assessment and weighting Awareness of question shape Awareness of question focus Effective test strategies for question
Lack of test awareness may lead to …
spending too long on one part of a paper or not making effective use of time overlooking required and/or possible feature
of an answer using an ineffective or less effective strategy wandering off-task
PB KET Reading
CB KET Reading
Timer
Scores and answers are not given in the live test!
Instructions
Navigate between questions and parts. Answered questions are highlighted.
Navigate between questions
CB KET Writing
Word counter
Do I need to prepare my students differently?
No
Centre Managers’ testimonials
I have seen it, how
much the students
enjoy it when they are
on the computer. They
feel that they are
working with and using
something which they
use every day. They
love it.
I love the CB tests. The first
time we did them the
students really liked them. I
think it is modern and what
we should all be doing.
All candidates found the
format very practical, liked
the colours and the user-
friendly interface which made
them feel very comfortable
using a computer.
Examples of Layout
Example seating arrangements Distance requirements
Dividers
Benefits of CB Exams
Flexibility
Enhanced security
Same standards
Fairness
Exams Available in CB Format
KET/KET for Schools
PET/PET for Schools
FCE/FCE for Schools
CAE
BEC (Preliminary, Vantage, Higher)
TKT
Exam preparation from the experts
Exam preparation from the experts Cambridge ESOL website
www.CambridgeESOL.org
Candidate Support website
www.candidates.CambridgeESOL.org/
cs
British Council Online Resources
LearnEnglish
Second Life: virtual 3D world
Premier Skills
Practicing for CB tests
Online pactice test
Practice tests www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/exams-info/computer-based-practice.html
Top Tips booklets
Online resources
Cambridge ESOL website
www.CambridgeESOL.org Teaching Resources website
www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org Exam reports
www.CambridgeESOL.org/support Teacher Portfolio
www.teacherportfolio.CambridgeESOL.org Candidate Support website
www.candidates.CambridgeESOL.org/cs Financial English
www.financialenglish.org
British Council exams services offer
Information support
Preparation materials
Seminars on request
Exams in many cities of Ukraine
AddVantage programme for preparation centres
Questions
Contact Us
British Council Ukraine
Examinations Services4/12 Hryhoriya Skovorody Street, Kyiv, 04070
Tel: (+38) 044 490 5600
Fax: (+38) 044 490 5605
Email: [email protected]
Keep up to date with what’s new via British Council website:
www.britishcouncil.org/ukrainewww.britishcouncil.org/ukraine