Introducing
YLE
Aims

to familiarise teachers with the content of the
Cambridge Young Learners EnglishTests

to consider the level of each test

to discuss the benefits of using the YLE
Aims of the YLE Tests

relevant and meaningful

accurate and fair

positive first impression

effective learning and
teaching
Relevant and meaningful

appropriate and useful

enjoyable

reflect their experiences

topics relevant to children at this
age

internationally accessible
Accurate and fair

valid and reliable

the 4 skills

emphasis on
 oral and aural skills
 understanding

simple, clearly-focused tasks

clearly defined content and
format
Accurate and fair: marking and
assessment



marked by Cambridge
ESOL
Oral Examiners
14-day turnaround
A positive first impression

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progress can be perceived
attractively presented
fun elements
feel at ease
everyone receives an award
on the classroom is a key factor
The Common European Framework of Reference
CEFR
ALTE
Levels
YLE
General
BEC
BULATS IELTS
English
9
C2
5
CPE
C1
4
CAE
BEC
Higher
FCE
BEC
Vantage
3
BEC
Preliminary
2
B2
3
B1
2
A2
1
A1
Breakthrough
PET
Flyers
Movers
Starters
KET
5
4
8
7
6
5
1
4
3
2
0
1
0
YLE in the world

Initial development 1993-1997

Launched worldwide in 1997

Revision process 2002-2007

Revised format in 2007

Candidates in over 60 countries
Overview of the Tests


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
Listening, Reading and Writing,
Speaking
7–12 years
syllabus for each level
administrative flexibility
 special arrangements
Special
special circumstances:
consideration
 malpractice
The Listening Tests
Length
(approx.)
Parts
Questions
Starters
20 mins
4
20
Movers
25 mins
5
25
Flyers
25 mins
5
25
The Reading & Writing Tests
Length
Parts
Questions
Starters
20 mins
5
25
Movers
30 mins
6
40
Flyers
40 mins
7
50
The Speaking Tests
Length
Parts
Starters
3–5 mins
5
Movers
5–7 mins
4
Flyers
7–9 mins
4
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
Handbook information
a description
a chart
recommendations for candidate preparation
1. number of questions
2. what candidates hear (Listening and
3.
4.
5.
6.
Speaking)
what candidates look at
what candidates read
how candidates answer
what language is being tested.
Grammar and structures list
Prepositions of place
Put the clock next to the picture.
Question words
Who is that man?
Where is Alex?
Impersonal you
How do you spell that?
Have + obj + inf
Lucy has a book to read.
ing forms as nouns
Swimming is good.
I like swimming.
Activity 2 key
1
Shall for suggestions
Flyers
2
adverbs of frequency
Movers
3
comparatives
Movers
4
have got
Starters
5
-ing forms as nouns
Starters
6
relative clauses
Movers
7
going to
Flyers
8
Let’s
Starters
Vocabulary lists

alphabetical vocabulary lists per level

combined alphabetical vocabulary
lists

thematic lists

combined grammatical vocabulary list
Activity 3: topics
Think of three topics you normally teach students who are aged
between 7 and 12. For each topic, write 2–3 words which you
would teach at this level for each part of speech.
For example:
the body and face
mouth, arm, eye
smile, look
YLE topics
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
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

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animals
the body and face
clothes
colours
family and friends
food and drink
the home
places
school
sports
time
toys
transport
 materials
 health
 weather
 work
Progression up the levels

similar tasks

differences:

language to process

picture support

distractors
Language to process
Starters
single sentence, same format
Movers
1 or 2 sentences, variety in format
Flyers
1 or 2 longer sentences, more complex
sentences, variety in format
Picture support
Starters
sentences based on pictures
sentences beside each picture.
Movers
pictures and words
sentences not beside picture
Flyers
no pictures
Distractors
Starters
no distractors
Movers
1 distractor
Flyers
4 distractors
Why use YLE Tests?

reflect children’s experience and learning

prepare them for the higher level exams

are accurate and fair

are attractive and child-friendly

have no pass/fail

allow for special circumstances
Why use YLE Tests?

They’re easy to integrate into the
curriculum.

They provide positive washback.
Further information
 the YLE Handbook
 sample papers
 exam reports
 Information for candidates
 Leaflet for parents and guardians
 DVD – ‘All about YLE’
 further seminars
 ‘How to do well in the Cambridge YLE Tests’
 Teaching Resources website:
www.cambridgeesol.org/teach
Further information
University of Cambridge
ESOL Examinations
1 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 2EU, UK
Tel: (0)1223 553355
Fax: (0)1223 460278
E-mail: ESOLHelpdesk@cambridgeesol.org
Keep up to date with what's new via the Cambridge
ESOL website
www.CambridgeESOL.org
6Y12.YLE-ModB.001 PPT