Cambridge Young Learners English Tests (YLE)
The Young Learners certifications are aimed at children between the ages of 7 and 12 as a basis and introduction for the subsequent PET, FCE and CAE exams.
The Young Learners certifications are aimed at children between the ages of 7 and 12 as a basis and introduction for the subsequent PET, FCE and CAE exams.
By taking these exams, students deepen in aspects of the language such as the exhaustive analysis of written texts (Reading and Writing), the understanding of oral messages on very specific topics, learning to discard or discriminate irrelevant information and focusing attention on the exact answer (listening).
These exams also help children to improve their oral skills exponentially, since practical tests are done continuously during classes, which encourages children to acquire a fluency and naturalness with the language that in turn reinforces their self-confidence and taste for English (Speaking).
Since the content is designed to adapt to the needs of children, with a colorful and attractive visual presentation and clear and simple instructions, the exams are fun and relaxed and can be easily followed by children.
Proof of this is that as more tests are taken, it is our students themselves who insist on doing simulations, since they an improvement in their level the initial difficulties disappearing day by day.
Exam Levels
There are three levels: Starters, Movers y Flyers.
According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), a good result at the Movers level is equivalent to the A1 level of the European Framework of Reference. The highest level (Flyers) is equivalent to the A2 level (same level as the KET).
Exam format
Each level consists of 3 parts:
1. Reading comprehension and written expression: test (paper-based) in which children show their ability to read and write simple English.
2. Listening comprehension: Test in which children listen to short recorded texts and complete various tasks to show their level of understanding.
3. Oral expression: a short interview with a specialized examiner where students face a real-life situation of interaction in English with an unknown person, usually a native speaker of the language.
Starters
Listening
With an approximate duration of 20 minutes, the listening test consists of four parts, each of which begins with one or two examples to situate the child and show them what they have to do. Each recording is listened to twice.
For the Listening, the child must remember to use colored pencils (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, lilac, black, brown and grey) as well as a pencil or pen.
Vocabulary and spelling papers are presented in British English. However, children will also listen to American accents and some American vocabulary. Both British and American spellings are accepted in the written answers.
Reading & Writing
With an approximate duration of 20 minutes, the Reading and Writing test consists of five parts, each of which begins with one or two examples.
In all parts of Reading & Writing, the child must write the words correctly. Only a pencil or pen is needed for this test.
Vocabulary and spelling are presented in British English but both British and American spellings are accepted in the written answers.
Speaking
The Speaking test takes approximately 3-5 minutes per candidate. In this test, the child must recognize objects in an image, place them in the place the examiner asks and even answer questions about the image. Then he will have a simple conversation with the examiner, in which he will answer questions about himself.
The test consists of five parts. The child takes the test alone with the examiner but someone who speaks their language will introduce them (for example their teacher).
Examiner’s comments on a Cambridge English: Starters Speaking Test.
Movers
Listening
With an approximate duration of 20 minutes, the listening test consists of four parts, each of which begins with one or two examples to situate the child and show him what he has to do. Each recording is listened to twice.
For the listening part, the child must remember to use colored pencils (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, lilac, black, brown and grey) as well as a pencil or pen.
Vocabulary and spelling papers are presented in British English. However, children will also listen to American accents and some American vocabulary. Both British and American spellings are accepted in the written answers.
Reading & Writing
This test lasts approximately 30 minutes and consists of six parts each of which begins with one or two examples. In all parts of Reading & Writing, the child must write the words correctly.
Only a pencil or pen is needed for this test. Vocabulary and spelling of the exam papers are presented in British English but both British and American spellings are accepted in the written answers.
Speaking
Lasting 5-7 minutes per candidate, the speaking test consists of five parts. The child must compare two images, invent a story from four images in sequential order, discard the image that does not correspond to the rest from a series of 4 related images and lastly, they must answer a series of questions that the examiner will ask them, in which the child will talk about their day to day, tastes, hobbies, etc.
The child takes the test alone with the examiner but someone who speaks their language will introduce them (for example, their teacher).
Examiner’s comments on Cambridge English: Movers Speaking Test.
Flyers
Listening
With an approximate duration of 20 minutes, the listening test consists of four parts, each of which begins with one or two examples to situate the child and show him what he has to do. The child listens to each recording twice.
For this test, the child must remember to use colored pencils (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, lilac, black, brown and grey) as well as a pencil or pen.
Vocabulary and spelling papers are presented in British English. However, children will also listen to American accents and some American vocabulary. Both British and American spellings are accepted in the written answers.
Reading & Writing
This test lasts approximately 40 minutes and consists of seven parts each of which begins with one or two examples. In all parts of the Reading & Writing test, the child must spell the words correctly.
For Reading & Writing, you only need a pencil or pen. Vocabulary and spelling papers are presented in British English but both British and American spellings are accepted in the written answers.
Speaking
With a duration of 5-7 minutes per candidate, the speaking test consists of four parts. In the first part the child will have to compare two images. In the second, they will have to ask and answer a few questions to about two people based on a written text. After this part, the child must invent a story based on some given images and at the end a dialogue will be established with the examiner on topics of interest to the child such as their friends, free time or their family amongst others.
The test is taken with the examiner but someone who speaks your language will introduce them (for example, their teacher).
Examiner’s comments on Cambridge English: Flyers Speaking Test.
Results and certificates
The certificates are issued within about 8 weeks after the publication of the results. Cambridge issues an official certificate to all children who take the exam. The certificates represent a positive assessment of each skill and indicate their strengths and those skills which they need to improve.
A line of up to five shields appears for each part of the exam, its performance being assessed by the number of shields achieved. This fun way of grading is very motivating for children.
Students neither pass nor or fail. Each child will receive their reward in the form of a diploma. It shows how many shields the have obtained.
The maximum score is five shields for each part of the exam. A Cambridge English YLE certificate is an unbeatable way to:
1. Strengthen their confidence.
2. Reward their personal performance.
3. Celebrate the child’s achievements.
A result of one shield means that the child should improve that part; getting five shields means that the child has done very well in that part and has answered most of the questions correctly.
With a minimum total of 10 or 11 shields, the child should be ready to start preparing the next Cambridge English level.
