ENGLISH FOR YOUNG LEARNERS

Cambridge Young Learners English Tests (YLE) are designed to assess the English of primary learners between the ages of 7 and 12.

There are three YLE tests at three levels:

Flyers: Level A2

Movers: Level A1

Starters: below Level A1

Each YLE test includes three components: reading/writing, listening and speaking, and all candidates receive an award showing the level they have achieved in each component.

YLE gives children:

the motivation to learn English.
the skills they need: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
the confidence to use the English they know.
the confidence to progress to higher levels.

You can find out more about YLE by visiting: www.cambridgeesol.org/yle

GENERAL ENGLISH

The Cambridge ESOL General English exams are designed for learners at all levels from the elementary level Key English Test to the very Advanced Certificate of proficiency in English. These exams are known throughout the world are widely recognized for work and study purposes.

KET (KEY ENGLISH TEST): LEVEL A2

KET is an elementary level exam. It tests the ability to cope with everyday written and spoken communications at a basic, practical level using real-life travel, study and working situations. KET is recognised by administrative, industrial and service-based employers around the world as a qualification in basic English.

KET consists of three papers:

Reading and Writing: 1 hour 10 minutes

You will need to be able to understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. You will also have to fill gaps in simple sentences and write a short piece of around 25 words.

Listening: 30 minutes

You show your ability to understand announcements and other simple messages when they are spoken quite slowly.

Speaking: up to 10 minutes

You will have to demonstrate that you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Speaking tests are normally held with two candidates.

You can find out more about KET by visiting: www.CambridgeESOL.org/KET

PET (PRELIMINARY ENGLISH TEST): LEVEL B1

PET is an intermediate level exam. It tests the ability to cope with everyday written and spoken communications. Studying for PET is a popular way to improve your language skills and use them in a wide range of contexts. PET is recognised by many employers and educational institutions as proof of intermediate level English skills.

PET consists of three papers:

Reading and Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes

You need to show you can read texts from signs, newspapers and magazines and understand the main points. You will need to show you can use vocabulary and grammar by completing tasks such as writing a short message and a story or letter of about 100 words. You will also complete an exercise involving changing the meaning of sentences.

Listening: 30 minutes (approx.)

You will show you can understand the meaning of a number of recorded spoken texts, including announcements and discussions about everyday life. You also need to be able to understand the attitudes and intentions of the speakers.

Speaking: 10-12 minutes

In this test, which is taken in pairs, you have to show how well you speak English by taking part in a conversation, asking and answering questions, and talking freely about your likes and dislikes.

You can find out more about PET by visiting: www.CambridgeESOL.org/PET

FCE (FIRST CERTIFICATE IN ENGLISH): LEVEL B2

FCE is an upper-intermediate level exam. It tests the ability to deal confidently with a range of written and spoken communications. FCE is recognised by many universities as proof of being able to study in English. It is also recognised by employers as an English certificate suitable for those working in business and management.

FCE has five papers:

Reading: 1 hour

You will need to be able to understand information in fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines.

Writing: 1 hour 20 minutes

You are asked to produce two different pieces of writing such as a short story, a letter, an article, a report, a review or an essay.

Use of English: 45 minutes

This tests your use of English with tasks which show how well you control your grammar and vocabulary.

Listening: 40 minutes

Here you need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of spoken texts including news programmes, speeches, stories, anecdotes and public announcements.

Speaking: 14 minutes

You will take the Speaking test with another candidate or in a group of three, and you will be tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction - with the examiner and with the other candidates – and to speak on your own.

You can find out more about FCE by visiting: www.CambridgeESOL.org/FCE

CAE (CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED ENGLISH): LEVEL C1

CAE is an advanced level exam that tests the ability to deal confidently with English in most professional, academic and social situations. This qualification is widely recognised around the world for studying at university level as well as for employment and immigration purposes.

CAE consists of five papers:

Reading: 1 hour 15 minutes

This shows you can deal confidently with a wide range of types of written text.

Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes

You are required to show you can write a variety of different text-types including essays, proposals, reports and reviews.

Use of English: 1 hour

This tests your ability to use the right words, tenses and idioms in the right situation and in the right places.

Listening: 40 minutes

Here you have to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken text, such as lectures, speeches and interviews.

Speaking: 15 minutes

In this test, taken with one or two other candidates, you will be assessed on your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations.

You can find out more about CAE by visiting: www.CambridgeESOL.org/CAE

CPE (CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH): LEVEL C2

CPE is Cambridge ESOL’s most advanced exam. It is aimed at people who use English for professional or study purposes and are approaching the fluency and sophistication of an educated native speaker. This certificate is recognised by nearly all UK universities and by other teaching organisations and employers around the world.

CPE consists of five papers:

Reading: 1 hour 30 minutes

You will need show understanding of the meaning of written English at word, sentence, paragraph and whole text level in a very wide range of authentic contexts.

Writing: 2 hours

This tests your ability to produce a number of different written texts, such as a short story, a letter, an article, a report or a composition, each of about 300—350 words.

Use of English: 1 hour 30 minutes

Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary and how well you can summarise information.

Listening: 40 minutes (approx.)

You need to show you can understand the meaning of a wide range of spoken texts, including lectures, news programmes and public announcements.

Speaking: 19 minutes

Along with another candidate or in groups of three, you will be tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction with the examiner, with the other candidates and by yourself.

You can find out more about CPE by visiting: www.CambridgeESOL.org/CPE

BUSINESS ENGLISH

The Business English Certificates (BEC) are internationally recognised qualifications that demonstrate to employers what skills the test taker has for using English in the workplace. BEC is an ideal English language exam if you are preparing for a career in business.

There are three different levels of BEC, reflecting the different reading, writing, listening and speaking abilities needed for business:

BEC PRELIMINARY: Level B1

BEC VANTAGE: Level B2

BEC HIGHER: Level C1

You can find out more about BEC by visiting: www.CambridgeESOL.org/BEC

LEGAL ENGLISH

The International Legal English Language Certificate (Cambridge ILEC) is a high level English language qualification created especially for lawyers by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations in cooperation with TransLegal, Europe’s leading firm of lawyer linguists.

Cambridge ILEC assesses English language ability at Levels B2 and C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. It is based on realistic tasks and topics that legal practitioners encounter in their daily working lives.

Areas of law covered include: corporate, business associations, contract, sale of goods, real property, debtor-creditor, intellectual property, employment, competition, environmental, negotiable instruments, secure transactions, and aspects of transnational law.

The ILEC examination also covers relevant aspects of legal practice.

The exam consists of four separate papers testing reading, writing, listening and speaking, which together last just under three and a half hours.

Cambridge ILEC pass grades are:

C1 pass with merit

C1 pass

B2 pass

You can find out more about ILEC by visiting: www.LegalEnglishTest.org

TKT TEACHING AWARD

CAMBRIDGE ESOL EXAMS DATES, FEES AND REGISTRATION

TRANSFER AND REFUNDS

TRANSFER

Entries cannot be transferred from one examination sitting to a future one or to a different level.

REFUNDS

If a candidate withdraws his/her entry on medical grounds he/she may be refunded the exam fee, but an administrative fee of 25% of the overall exam fee will be deducted. A written request should be provided to the British Council Examinations Services accompanied by a statement from a medical practitioner. This statement should specify the medical reasons why the candidate had to withdraw his/her entry or was unable to sit the examination. These should be given to Examinations Services no later than a week after the examination date.

Refunds are not given for any other reason (including, for example, clashes of dates with local examinations).

Statements of Results and Certificates

All candidates will receive a Statement of Results 5 to 7 weeks after sitting the exam. These are available on-line from the candidate support website. The details will be provided at the exam date.
Certificates are issued to candidates with passing grades within three months of sitting the exam.
The Statement of Results gives information about individual paper performance and a new overall score as well as the overall grade (YLE candidates do not get an overall grade).
Individual paper performance is not provided for those candidates with grade X (absent from part of the examination), grade Z (absent from all of the examination), or PENDING (result to follow).
If a school or candidate believes that a result is incorrect, they can request a Results Enquiry.
Candidates’ answers and other work done by candidates as part of an examination will not be released to candidates, schools or centres.

SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATES AND TEACHERS

We provide a wide range of support for both candidates and teachers.

CANDIDATES

To prepare for Cambridge ESOL exams you can:

Access the Cambridge ESOL Candidate Support webpage which helps you prepare by providing information on each exam, including the syllabus, a short guide to the exam, and sample papers.
Enrol in the British Council English Learning Zone (ELZ) and take intensive 40-hour self-study preparation courses.

TEACHERS

To gain access to a wide range of support materials you can:

Access the Cambridge ESOL Teacher Support webpage. Here you can also register for a free account to download lesson plans, worksheets, games, classroom activities and to join a lively teacher community.
Visit the English Teachers’ Association of Georgia (ETAG)

CANDIDATES WITH SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

British Council Georgia makes every effort to cater for the special needs of disabled candidates.  In collaboration with the University of Cambridge ESOL examinations we offer individual arrangements to candidates with special needs (e.g. hearing or speech problems, dyslexia etc.) when taking the exams. The exact procedure for each candidate will differ according to the nature and degree of the candidate’s disability.

Candidates who require special arrangements are asked to inform us by e-mail 3 months before the test date with relevant medical reports. Please send your request to the Exams Manager.

THE BRITISH COUNCIL COMMITMENT

British Council is responsible for the administration of the exams. However, the British Council will not be liable for any delays or cancellations arising from reasons beyond our control. In such circumstances, British Council will take all necessary steps to ensure a return to normal operations in the shortest time possible.

SUGESSTIONS AND FEEDBACK

The British Council Georgia exams team is committed to giving you a totally satisfying experience of dealing with us and we therefore value your opinion of the efficiency of our service.

If you would like to make a comment or give us feedback on our service, please e-mail the Exams Manager.

CONTACT US

BRITISH COUNCIL

34 Rustaveli Ave.

Tbilisi 0108, Georgia

Tel: +995 (32) 2 250407/ 2 988014

Fax: +995 (32) 2 989591

E-mail: office@ge.britishcouncil.org

WORKING HOURS:

Monday – Friday: 09:30 – 17:00