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CAMBRIDGE ESOL EXAMINATIONS: WHERE, WHAT, HOW,WHY?

CAMBRIDGE ESOL EXAMINATIONS: WHERE, WHAT, HOW,WHY?. WHY? WHAT? HOW? WHERE?. Why English language exams?. English spoken internationally by 1.5 billion people certified proof of ability in English gives individuals: confidence to live and travel in other countries

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CAMBRIDGE ESOL EXAMINATIONS: WHERE, WHAT, HOW,WHY?

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  1. CAMBRIDGE ESOLEXAMINATIONS: WHERE, WHAT, HOW,WHY?

  2. WHY? • WHAT? • HOW? • WHERE?

  3. Why English language exams? • English spoken internationally by 1.5 billion people • certified proof of ability in English gives individuals: • confidence to live and travel in other countries • ability to follow a course of study in English at tertiary level • a competitive advantage and workplace opportunities for appointment and promotion

  4. Why Cambridge ESOL exams? Cambridge exams are recognised worldwide • in education • in business • by ministries and government bodies

  5. 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, Б.М. Жебровський Голова комісії з реорганізації

  6. 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.

  7. Experts in language assessment • department of Cambridge University • part of the Cambridge Assessment Group - 150years' experience • 300+ specialist staff • more than 30 dedicated researchers

  8. The Common European Framework • provides a basis for language syllabi • describes language and skills for communication in a range of contexts • defines levels of proficiency

  9. World's leading range of language exams • 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

  10. Testing the right things • a syllabus based on current language use • the 4 skills: speaking, listening, reading, writing • the strategies and skills needed to cope with a foreign language in everyday real-life communication

  11. What makes a good language test? • tests all four skills • has positive washback effect • easy to integrate into curriculum • widely recognised • motivating • relates to real life • FAIR and USEFUL

  12. Qualities of fairness and usefulness • Language • Difficulty • Measurement • Classroom • Availability • Validity • Reliability • test production • assessment • Impact • Practicality

  13. Stages in assessing performance • What – focus of assessment • How – methods, task design

  14. Question paper production process Commissioning of material for question papers Vetting and editing of material Pretest construction Pretesting Revision Rejection Item analysis Materials Bank Question paper construction

  15. Ensuring reliability item writer training task specifications pre-testing and trialling

  16. Marking Speaking/Writing Cambridge ESOL PSL (Speaking)/Principal Examiners (Writing) T E A M L E A D E R S E X A M I N E R S

  17. Format: an overview

  18. PET Reading tasks – key

  19. 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

  20. Familiarity with test: basic • Format • Timings • Task Types • Typical Content [text type / length] • Length and Format of answers

  21. Familiarity with test: deeper • Completing mark sheets • Using/allocating time • Assessment and weighting • Awareness of question shape • Awareness of question focus • Effective test strategies for question

  22. Lack of test awareness may lead to … • 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

  23. PB KET Reading

  24. CB KET Reading Instructions Navigate between questions Timer Scores and answers are not given in the live test! Navigate between questions and parts. Answered questions are highlighted.

  25. CB KET Writing Word counter

  26. Do I need to prepare my students differently? No

  27. 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 user- friendly interface which made them feel very comfortable using a computer.

  28. Examples of Layout

  29. Example seating arrangementsDistance requirements

  30. Dividers

  31. Benefits of CB Exams • Flexibility • Enhanced security • Same standards • Fairness

  32. Exams Available in CB Format • KET/KET for Schools • PET/PET for Schools • FCE/FCE for Schools • CAE • BEC (Preliminary, Vantage, Higher) • TKT

  33. Exam preparation from the experts

  34. Exam preparation from the experts • Cambridge ESOL website www.CambridgeESOL.org • Candidate Support website www.candidates.CambridgeESOL.org/cs

  35. British Council Online Resources

  36. LearnEnglish

  37. Second Life: virtual 3D world

  38. Premier Skills

  39. Practicing for CB tests • Online pactice test • Practice tests www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/exams-info/computer-based-practice.html • Top Tips booklets

  40. Online resources • Cambridge ESOL website www.CambridgeESOL.org • Teaching Resources website www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org • Exam reports www.CambridgeESOL.org/support • Teacher Portfolio www.teacherportfolio.CambridgeESOL.org • Candidate Support website www.candidates.CambridgeESOL.org/cs • Financial English www.financialenglish.org

  41. British Council exams services offer Information support Preparation materials Seminars on request Exams in many cities of Ukraine AddVantage programme for preparation centres

  42. Questions

  43. Contact Us British Council Ukraine Examinations Services 4/12 HryhoriyaSkovorody 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

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