CAMBRIDGE ESOL
EXAMINATIONS:
WHERE, WHAT,
HOW,WHY?
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WHY?
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WHAT?
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HOW?
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WHERE?
Why English language exams?
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English spoken internationally by 1.5 billion
people
certified proof of ability in English gives
individuals:
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confidence to live and travel in other countries
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ability to follow a course of study in English at tertiary
level
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a competitive advantage and workplace opportunities
for appointment and promotion
Why Cambridge ESOL exams?
Cambridge exams are recognised worldwide
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in education
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in business
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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,
Голова комісії з реорганізації
Б.М. Жебровський
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
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department of Cambridge University
part of the Cambridge Assessment Group 150years' experience
300+ specialist staff
more than 30 dedicated researchers
The Common European
Framework
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provides a basis for language
syllabi
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describes language and skills
for communication in a range
of contexts
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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
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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
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a syllabus based on current language use
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the 4 skills: speaking, listening, reading,
writing
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the strategies and skills needed to cope with
a foreign language in everyday real-life
communication
What makes a good language test?
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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
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Language
Reliability
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test production
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assessment
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Difficulty
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Measurement
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Impact
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Classroom
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Practicality
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Availability
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Stages in assessing performance
1.
What – focus of assessment
2.
How – methods, task design
Question paper production process
Commissioning of material for question papers
Vetting and editing of material
Pretest construction
Revision
Rejection
Materials Bank
Question paper construction
Pretesting
Item analysis
Ensuring reliability
item writer
training
task
specifications
pre-testing and
trialling
Marking
Speaking/Writing
Cambridge ESOL
PSL (Speaking)/Principal Examiners (Writing)
TEAM LEADERS
EXAMINERS
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 – key
Task 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
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Format
Timings
Task Types
Typical Content [text type / length]
Length and Format of answers
Familiarity with test: deeper
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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 …
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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
Instructions
Navigate
between
questions
Navigate
between
questions
and parts.
Answered
questions
are
highlighted.
Timer
Scores and
answers
are not
given in
the live
test!
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 userfriendly interface which made
them feel very comfortable
using a computer.
Examples of Layout
Example seating arrangements
Distance requirements
Dividers
Benefits of CB Exams
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Flexibility
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Enhanced security
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Same standards
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Fairness
Exams Available in CB Format
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KET/KET for Schools
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PET/PET for Schools
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FCE/FCE for Schools
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CAE
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BEC (Preliminary, Vantage, Higher)
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TKT
Exam preparation
from the experts
Exam preparation
from the experts
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Cambridge ESOL website
www.CambridgeESOL.org
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Candidate Support website
www.candidates.CambridgeESOL.org/cs
British Council Online Resources
LearnEnglish
Second Life: virtual 3D world
Premier Skills
Practicing for CB tests
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Online pactice test
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Practice tests
www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/exam
s-info/computer-based-practice.html
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Top Tips booklets
Online resources
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Cambridge ESOL website
www.CambridgeESOL.org
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Teaching Resources website
www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org
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Exam reports
www.CambridgeESOL.org/support
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Teacher Portfolio
www.teacherportfolio.CambridgeESOL.org
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Candidate Support website
www.candidates.CambridgeESOL.org/cs
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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 Services
4/12 Hryhoriya Skovorody Street, Kyiv, 04070
Tel: (+38) 044 490 5600
Fax: (+38) 044 490 5605
Email: info@britishcouncil.org.ua
Keep up to date with what’s new via British Council website:
www.britishcouncil.org/ukraine