Incorporating
exam preparation
into large classes
Date
Presenter’s Name
Aims
To consider:
 meeting the challenges of



large, mixed level classes
the benefits of preparing
your students for
Cambridge ESOL exams
integrating exam
preparation work into your
regular teaching
evaluating sample lesson
plans
To find out:
 about Cambridge
ESOL tests for
schools
To share:
 experiences
 ideas
 best practice
PART 1
Finding out about
Cambridge ESOL
Cambridge ESOL
Cambridge Young
Learners English
Tests
Starters
Main Suite Exams
Movers
Key English Test (KET) for School
Preliminary English Test (PET) for Schools
Flyers
First Certificate in English (FCE)
Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
Proficiency in English (CPE)
KET for Schools and
PET for Schools
Council of Europe Levels:
KET - A2 Waystage User
PET - B1 Threshold User
Common European Framework of Reference Levels
Young Learners
English Tests
Council of Europe Levels:
Starters - pre-A1
Movers - A1 Breakthrough
Flyers - A2 Waystage User
Benefits of preparing your pupils for
Cambridge ESOL exams
they …
 emphasise what learners can do in English

have motivating, fun activities

promote real communication

can be integrated into general English classes

are suitable for different levels and ages of young
learners
‘Can-do’ summary statements for
KET for Schools and PET for Schools




KET for Schools
CAN understand simple
questions and
instructions
CAN express simple
opinions or requirements
in a familiar context
CAN understand
straightforward
information within a
known area
etc.




PET for Schools
CAN understand
straightforward
instructions or public
announcements
CAN understand routine
information and articles
CAN write letters or make
notes on familiar or
predictable matters
etc.
Cambridge ESOL
YLE Test Certificates
Challenges in teaching
large, mixed level classes

amount of control by the teacher

different learning abilities

different levels of motivation

the school syllabus
Discussion
Exam preparation work
a) what do the pupils have to do?
b) what is being tested?
c) how have the challenges of large, mixed level classes
been taken into account?
- amount of control by the teacher
- different learning abilities
- different levels of motivation
- the school syllabus
How the challenges of large, mixed level
classes have been taken into account
 control
 different learning abilities
 different levels of motivation
 the school syllabus
YLE Starters Reading and Writing Part 1
YLE Movers Reading and Writing Part 4
English at School posters
YLE Flyers Speaking Part 2 (candidate’s copy)
YLE Flyers Speaking Part 2 (examiner’s copy)
KET for Schools Listening Part 1
Lesson Procedure
Classroom activity: Listening to identify key information
and choosing the correct visual
Aims: To show pupils the procedure for this part of the test
To help develop pupils’ ability to predict information
likely to be heard in short exchanges
To show pupils the importance of listening carefully
and making best use of the opportunity to listen to
each conversation twice
To develop their listening skills through collaborative
effort with their colleagues
PET for Schools Writing Part 2
Lesson Procedure
Classroom activity: Writing a card – a short piece of
informal writing
Aims: To show pupils the procedure for this part of the test
To help pupils understand what the examiners are
looking for
To help pupils understand the importance of
planning what they want to say
To encourage pupils to edit their work once they’ve
finished
PET for Schools Writing Part 1
Challenges in teaching
large, mixed level classes
amount of control by the teacher
different learning abilities
different levels of motivation
the school syllabus
Summary
We considered:
 meeting the challenges of



large, mixed level classes
the benefits of preparing your
students for Cambridge ESOL
exams
integrating exam preparation
work into your regular teaching
evaluating sample lesson plans
We found out
about:
Cambridge
ESOL tests
for schools
We shared:
 experiences
 ideas
 best practices
Cambridge ESOL Resources
WEBSITE
www.CambridgeESOL.org
TEACHER RESOURCE SITE
www.CambridgeESOL.org/teach
HANDBOOKS, SAMPLE PAPERS AND AUDIO FILES
www.CambridgeESOL.org/resources
TEACHER SEMINARS
www.CambridgeESOL.org/resources/teacher/seminars
Contact us
Contact:
School Sector
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
1 Hills Road
Cambridge, CB1 2EU
United Kingdom
Email:
ESOLhelpdesk@CambridgeESOL.org
Local representative: