english langauge exams

7/28/2019 English Langauge Exams

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English Language Exams

Opening doors

Creating opportunities


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The names that count


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Choosing the right exam

General English:

School tests: Cambridge KET / PET / FCE

University entrance: Cambridge CAE, IELTS General, TOEFL

International Communication:

Workplace: TOEIC

Academic English:

Further education: Cambridge CPE, IELTS Academic

English for Specific Purposes:

Business: Cambridge BEC, BULATS

Finance: Cambridge ICFE

Legal: Cambridge ILEC


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Cambridge exams for schools


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Cambridge English Starters sets your child off on their language learningadventure, introducing them to everyday written and spoken English in a funand motivating way.

Cambridge English Movers shows a child is beginning to deal with everydaywritten and spoken English at a very basic level.

Cambridge English Flyers shows a child can deal with everyday written andspoken English at a basic level.

Paper Content Marks (%)Listening 5 parts/25 questions (20 min) max. five shields

Reading/Writing7 parts/50 questions (40 min) max. five shields

Speaking 4 parts (7 9 min.) max. five shields


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The maximum score is five shields for each part of the test:

- one shield means your child can improve a lot in that skill.

- five shields mean that your child did very well in that skill.

With a total of 10 or 11 shields

and above, your child should be

ready to start preparing for the

next Cambridge English exam.


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Cambridge English Key for Schools is a basic level qualification that showsyou can use English to communicate in simple situations and have achieved agood foundation in learning English.

Paper Content Marks (%)

Reading/Writing 9 parts/56 questions (70 min.) 50%

Understanding simple written information (signs, brochures, newspapers). Fillinggaps in simple sentences and write a short message or note.

Listening 5 parts/25 questions (30 min.) 25%

Understanding announcements when people speak reasonably slowly.

Speaking 2 parts (10 min.) 25%

Ability to take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions.


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Cambridge English Preliminary for Schools is a qualification that shows apupil can deal with everyday written and spoken English at an intermediatelevel.


Reading 5 parts/35 questions (45 min.) 25%

Writing 3 parts/7 questions (45 min.) 25%

Ability to read texts from signs, journals, newspapers and magazines, to usevocabulary and structure by producing a short message, and writing a story or

letter of around 100 words.Listening 4 parts/25 questions (30 min.) 25%

Understanding a range of recorded spoken material, including announcements,interviews and discussions about everyday life.

Speaking 4 parts (10 12 min.) 25%

Taking part in a conversation, asking and answering questions, and talkingfreely about their likes and dislikes.


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Cambridge English First for Schools shows that a student is becoming skilledin English and can use it at upper-intermediate level for work or study purposes.



Being able to follow and understand a range of familiar spoken materials such asnews programmes, public announcements and other sources but targeted at theinterests of school-aged learners.


A face-to-face test taken with one or two other candidates and an examiner.Students have to show how well they can produce spoken language, talking witheither the examiner, the other candidate(s), or by themselves.


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Cambridge exams for higher education


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Cambridge English Advanced is a high-level qualification in English fordemanding academic and professional situations.

It offers you:

a globally accepted English certificate more than 3,000 universities,employers and government departments around the world accept CAE

opportunities to study and live abroad CAE is accepted for UK andAustralian visa applications

choice in how you take your exam CAE can be taken either on a

computer or on paper. With exam dates throughout the year, you can choosehow and when you take your exam.


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Texts may be from newspapers and magazines, journals, books, promotionaland informational materials (about 3,000 words to read in total).

Writing 2 parts (90 min.) 20%

Task types: article, competition entry, contribution to a longer piece, essay,information sheet, letter, proposal, report, review.

Use of English 5 parts/50 questions (60 min.) 20%

Grammar and Vocabulary: phrases, collocations, shades of meaning, phrasalverbs, linkers.


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Cambridge English Proficiency is the most advanced exam, for learners whohave achieved an extremely high level of skill in the English language.

Globally accepted - a proof of your ability to use English with fluency and

sophistication at a level approaching that of a native speaker.

Reliable - backed by the largest research programme of its kind, CPE examsprovide the most reliable reflection of your language skills.

Fair CPE exams cover all major varieties of English and are designed to be fairto users of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds.

A Cambridge English qualification - once you have earned a CPE certificate, youhold one of the most valuable English qualifications in the world.


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Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction and

non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and manuals.

Writing 2 parts (120 min.) 20%

Requires you to be able to write a variety of items, such as essays, proposals,

reports and reviews.

Use of English 5 parts/44 questions (90 min.) 20%

Tests your ability to use the right words, tenses and idioms in the right

situation, at the right time.


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Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials,

such as lectures, speeches and interviews.


Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations.


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The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the worlds

proven English test. Over 1.4 million candidates take the test each year to start

their journeys into international education and employment.

Worldwide recognition for study, work and immigration - IELTS is recognised by

more than 6,000 organisations worldwide.

Widely available - the tests are available in more than 130 countries in over 800

locations, with test dates available up to four times a month.

The IELTS test comes in two modules: Academic this module is for people wishing to study in English at

undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professionalregistration.

General Training this module is for people wishing to migrate to anEnglish-speaking country and for those wishing to train or study in English.


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The Listening and Speaking modules

are the same for all candidates.

The Reading and Writing modules

are different, depending on the type

of test (General orAcademic)


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Paper Content Time

Listening 4 section / 40 questions ~ 30 min.

Sections 1 and 2 deal with everyday, social situations. Sections 3 and 4 deal

with educational and training situations.

Speaking 3 parts 1114 min.

A face-to-face interview between the candidate and an examiner. There are four

assessment criteria:- Fluency and coherence

- Lexical resource

- Grammatical range and accuracy

- Pronunciation


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Paper Content Time

General Reading 3 section / 40 questions 60 min.

Section 1: everyday topics that a person would need to be able to understand

when living in an English-speaking country.

Section 2: work topics (job descriptions, contracts, training materials).

Section 3: general topics (newspapers, magazines, fictional and non-fictional

book extracts), longer and more complex than the previous texts.

General Writing Task 1 / 150 words 20 min.(writing a letter)

Task 2 / 250 words 40 min.

(developing an argument in response to the task, givingevidence and examples)


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Paper Content Time

Academic Reading 3 section / 40 questions 60 min.

Texts come from books, journals, magazines and newspapers and are of general

interest to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level. They may be

written in different styles (narrative, argumentative or descriptive). At least one

text contains detailed logical argument. Texts may also contain diagrams,

graphs or illustrations. If texts use technical vocabulary, then a simple

dictionary definition is provided.Academic Writing Task 1 / 150 words 20 min.

(describing some visual information in your own words)

Task 2 / 250 words 40 min.

(discussing a given a point of view, argument, problem)


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The IELTS 9-band scale

Band 9: Expert user: fully operational command of the language.

Band 8: Very good user: fully operational command of the language with onlyoccasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies.

Band 7: Good user: operational command of the language, though withoccasional inaccuracies; misunderstands in some situations.

Band 6: Competent user: generally effective command of the languagedespite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings.

Band 5: Modest user: partial command of the language, coping with overall

meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes.Band 4: Limited user: basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Not

able to use complex language.

Band 3: Extremely limited user: understands only general meaning in veryfamiliar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Band 2: Intermittent user: no real communication is possible except for the

most basic information using isolated words.


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Cambridge exams for work


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Cambridge English Business Certificates (BEC) are recognised by

employers, ministries, government bodies and professional organisations

throughout the world. This valuable suite of three qualifications provides clear

proof that you have the English skills to:

- communicate effectively at managerial and professional level

- participate with confidence in workplace meetings and presentations

- express yourself with a high level of fluency

-react appropriately in different cultural and social situations.

They can also be used to show universities and colleges that you can:

- follow an academic business course at university level

- carry out complex and challenging research.


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Cambridge English Financial (ICFE) is a high-level qualification that will help

you demonstrate that you have the language skills for a successful career in

international accountancy and finance.

Preparing for ICFE gives you the skills to:

- seek employment or promotion in a finance context, e.g. accountancy firms,

government agencies and other organisations

- study towards an accounting or finance qualification

- improve your ability to conduct business internationally or with internationalclients and colleagues

- improve your exam and classroom performance in finance and accountancy

exams

- prove your commitment to professional development.


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Reading 6 parts / 54 questions (75 min.) 25%

The texts come from journals, books and accounting/finance articles.

Writing 2 tasks (75 min.) 25%

Task 1: a letter of 120180 words in response to a piece of correspondence.

Task 2: a report of 200250 words which you write for a client/department.

Listening 4 parts / 30 questions (40 min) 25%

Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials

such as conversations, interviews and discussions.


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Speaking 4 parts (16 min) 25%

Part 1: an interview to your ability to respond to questions and expand on

responses.

Part 2: tests your ability to speak for one minute, without interruption, on a

finance-related topic.

Part 3: a collaborative task which you complete together with the other

candidate.Part 4: tests your ability to engage in a discussion based on the Part 3 topic.


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Cambridge English Legal (ILEC) is a high-level qualification that will help you

demonstrate that you have the language skills for a successful career in

international law.

Preparing for ILEC gives you the skills:

- to use English in practical situations

- to participate in meetings and discussions of a legal nature

- to express opinions clearly

- to understand and to produce texts of various types, including legalcorrespondence and memoranda

- prove your commitment to professional development.


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Reading 6 parts / 54 questions (75 min.) 25%

Shows you can deal confidently with a wide variety of law-related texts.

Writing 2 tasks (75 min.) 25%

Tasks: a letter of 120180 words and a memorandum of 200250.

Listening 4 parts / 30 questions (40 min) 25%Follow and understand a range of spoken materials (interviews, discussions).


Communicating effectively in face-to-face situations in a legal context.


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BULATS is set of language benchmarking, training and assessment tools for

measuring the language skills of the workforce, job applicants and students

wishing to study business-related subjects.

It provides an economical, flexible and easy-to-use approach to specifying

and assessing language skills for business and industry. It is available inEnglish,

French, German and Spanish.


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Listening Module:

Overview - gives a brief outline of what the unit covers.

Thinking ahead - asks questions to start you thinking about the topic.

Skills 1 - interactive exercises to introduce you to the vocabulary and specific

language you need to complete the Skills 2 and 3 sections.

Skills 2 - interactive exercises to practise the grammar and functional language

you need to complete the Skills 3 section.

Skills 3 - interactive exercises to help you improve your listening skills for theBULATS questions section (numbers, dates, times, places, descriptions of charts

and graphs, information to complete a form, people's opinions, information

about jobs and people's future plans, prediction)

BULATS questions - exam-style questions that test the skills you have just

practised.


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Reading and Language Knowledge Module:


Thinking ahead - asks questions to start you thinking about the topic.

Vocabulary - contains meaning-focused exercises to help you familiarise

yourself with the topic vocabulary needed to understand the texts.

Short texts seven extracts from a wide variety of work-related documents,

and for each one you will select the statement that applies from a choice of

three.Long text - read and answer six multiple-choice comprehension questions.

Vocabulary - you will be required to choose the correct word(s) to fill the

space(s) in a sentence or short text; you will either be asked to choose from

four multiple-choice options, or to use your lexical and grammatical knowledge

to think of the correct word(s) yourself.


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Speaking Module (3 parts):


Questioning - you practise asking questions in order to obtain the information

indicated on the Information exchange section of the card.

Focusing - you complete exercises that introduce you to the language you need

to successfully complete the Explaining and discussing sections.

Explaining - you practise the functional language needed to complete the

Information exchange section of the BULATS Speaking test role play.Discussing - you reflect on the topic and discuss related ideas and information

using the hints provided.

Model practice - you practise forming appropriate questions and responding

to the examiner's questions using your own personal experience and info.

Your Turn - you answer BULATS questions to practise the skills from the unit.


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Writing Module - Part 1:


Task analysis - contains a BULATS task:four exercises which focus on reading

the task and identifying the main information you need to write the response.

Language focus - four exercises focusing on format, register, expressions,

functions and other aspects of language; one exercise with a short error

correction task.

Reply - a series of exercises in which you are asked to reconstruct the taskresponse analysed in Language focus.


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Writing Module - Part 2:


Task analysis - two exercises in which you practise reading a task and

identifying the main information needed to write your response; an exercise

giving you guidance on how to find a topic relevant to the task response.

Language focus - five exercises in which you practise identifying style

features, important vocabulary and text structure, useful aspects for writing a

task response.Task response - exercises to help you recreate a task response step by step.

BULATS task - provides a new task, a notepad and a model answer; you

practise responding to a BULATS task similar to the one in Part 1.The task

provided is similar to the task and model you will have already studied in earlier

sections of the unit.


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Cambridge exams statistics (2010)


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The TOEFL / TOEIC exams

Governing Body: Educational Testing Service (USA)

Exams:

Test of English as a Foreign Language

Test of English for International Communication


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The TOEFL exam: introduction


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The TOEFL exam: format


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The TOEFL exam: results


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The TOEIC exam: introduction


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The TOEIC exam: format


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The TOEIC exam: format


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The TOEIC exam: results


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Common European Framework of Reference


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english langauge exams

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