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Rationale The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages The Alte International English Language Testing System Bands Individual Exams   The "Main Suite" KET (Key English Test) PET (Preliminary English Test) FCE (First Certificate in English) CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)   Related Programme Corporate Programmes Foundation Programmes Higher Qualifications Centre Language Centre MBA Programmes Executive MBA International MBA Postgraduate Programmes Undergraduate Programmes     Related Modules/Workshops English Language and Business Skills Teaching Guide Strategios   Case Studies Learner Support Preparing for your Certificate in Advanced Englishh Test Career Direction Teaching Modern Languages Graduate Services International Student Services Study Abroad Management of Learning Online Libraries Study Skills   Recommended Texts Resources European Portal for SMEs   Learning Centres Economics Centre Education, Staff Development and Teacher Training Centre Entrepreneur Centre Financial Centre Foundation Study Centre Higher Qualifications Centre HR Centre IT Centre Language Centre Management and Leadership Development Centre Management Centre Marketing Centre MBA Centre Postgraduate Centre Research Centre Undergraduate Centre

 

 

English Language and Business Skills Programme

 

 

 

 

 

Rationale

 

 

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment , abbreviated as CEF or CEFR, is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe . It was put together by the Council of Europe as the main part of the project "Language Learning for European Citizenship" between 1989 and 1996 . Its main aim is to provide a method of assessing and teaching which applies to all languages in Europe. In November 2001 a European Union Council Resolution recommended using the CEFR to set up systems of validation of language ability. The six reference levels (see below) are becoming widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual's language proficiency. Nonetheless, existing examination boards have retained their own naming conventions, e.g. "Intermediate", which are, arguably, easier for them, and their students, to remember. UNIcert (for different languages of both European and non-European countries), which is used in several European countries, is a university-language-education standard based on the CEF.

 

• Development
• Levels
• Use in language testing

 

 

The ALTE ( Association of Language Testers in Europe ) "Can Do" project developed a simplified set of 400+ descriptors for language examinations which relate to the Common Reference Levels. These descriptors are in the form of "can-do statements", each saying more simply what a learner can do at every level. There are four sections: general, social/ tourist, work and study. The ALTE project also gave its own names to the CEF levels: "Breakthrough level" - "Level 5".

The ALTE was founded by the University of Cambridge in conjunction with the University of Salamanca so the first exams to be related to their "Can-Do" statements were the Cambridge EFL exams . However, today many more examining boards link their exams to the system. Below is a table of some examinations as an example.

 

ALTE level	CEFR level	London Tests of English	Goethe-Institut and/or TELC exams *)	CIEP / Alliance française diplomas	Cambridge exam	IELTS (International English Language Testing System)	UNIcert (different languages)
Level 5	C2	Level 5	Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung , Kleines Dt. Sprachdiplom	TCF C2 / DALF C2 / DHEF	CPE	IELTS 7.5	UNIcert IV
Level 4	C1	Level 4	Goethe-Zertifikat C1 , Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch , Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung	TCF C1 / DALF C1 / DSLCF	CAE	IELTS 6.5	UNIcert III
Level 3	B2	Level 3	Goethe-Zertifikat B2 *), Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf *)	TCF B2 / DELF B2 / Diplôme de Langue	FCE	IELTS 5.5	UNIcert II
Level 2	B1	Level 2	Zertifikat Deutsch *)	TCF B1 / DELF B1 / CEFP 2	PET	IELTS 4.0	UNIcert I
Level 1	A2	Level 1	Start Deutsch 2 *)	TCF A2 / DELF A2 / CEFP 1	KET	IELTS 3.0
Breakthrough level	A1	Level A1	Start Deutsch 1 *)	TCF A1 / DELF A1	-	-

 

See also

• CEFR and 'Can Do'
• Task-based language learning
• European Day of Languages - 26 September
• ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines
• Canadian language benchmarks
• English as a Foreign Language
• University of Cambridge ESOL examination
• Language education
• ILR or Foreign Service Level language ability measures

 

External links

• Council of Europe: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• Association of Language Testers in Europe
• Swiss National Science Foundation
• Common European Framework of Reference in the U.S.
• The Lolipop ELP: An online open source language portfolio
• Goethe-Institut: The Federal Republic of Germany's cultural institution operational worldwide
• IELTS - International English Language Testing System

 

 

International English Language Testing System' ( IELTS , pronounced /'aijelts/ ) is a test of English language proficiency. It is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council and
IDP Education Australia . Candidates may choose either the Academic Module or the General Training Module:

 

The Academic Module is intended for those who wish to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education . The General Training Module is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes. IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions, by an increasing number of academic institutions in the USA, and by various professional organizations. It is also a requirement for migration to Australia and Canada.   IELTS characteristics IELTS Test Structure Band Scale Expert User Very Good User Good User Competent User Modest User Limited User Extremely Limited User Intermittent User Non User No Original English Used Locations and test dates IELTS level for admission to the academic world   See also TOEFL TOEIC English as a Foreign or Second Language UBELT University of Bath English Language Test University of Cambridge ESOL examination Standardised test   External links Official IELTS Web Site Global Recognition System - search online for organizations recognizing IELTS More on IELTS Test Structure IELTS training Web Site ESL examinations at the Open Directory Project

 

Individual Exams

General English

 

 

 

"Main Suite":

 

1. KET (Key English Test): elementary

• KET (Key English Test)

 



 

 

 

 



• What is the KET test like?
  

 

The test has three sections:

• Reading & Writing - 70 minutes
• Listening - 25 minutes
• Speaking - 8-10 minutes
• Vocabulary Test
• Grammar Test

 

 

2. PET (Preliminary English Test): intermediate

• PET (Preliminary English Test)

 

 

• What is the PET test like?
  

 

The test has three sections:

• Reading and Writing - 90 minutes
• Listening - 30 minutes
• Speaking - an interview, 10 minutes
• Reading Test
• Writing part 1
• Writing part 3

 

 

3. FCE (First Certificate in English): upper intermediate

• FCE (First Certificate in English)

 

 

 

 

 

• 

  • What is the FCE test like?
    

 

The test has five sections:

• Reading - 75 minutes- free practice test! New
• Writing - 2 essays, 90 minutes - free practice test
• Use of English - 90 minutes - free practice test
• Listening - 40 minutes - free listening practice test
• Speaking - interview, normally with another candidate, 15 minute
• Reading test
• Use of English test
• Listening test
• Writing test

 

 

 

4. CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): advanced

• CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)

 

 

 

 

 

 

• What is the CAE test like?
  

 

The test has five sections:

• Reading - 75 minutes
• Writing - 2 or 3 tasks , 120 minutes
• English in Use - 6 tasks with 80 questions - 90 minutes - free Use of English tests
• Listening - 45 minutes - Click here for a free listening practice test
• Speaking - interview, normally with another candidate, 15 minutes
• Listening
• English In Use 1
• English in Use 2
• Use of English in Use 4

 

 

5. CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): very advanced

• CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): very advanced

 



 

 

 

• 

  • What is the CPE test like?
    

   

  The test has five sections:

  • Reading - 60 minutes
  • Composition - 2 tasks, 2 hours
  • Use of English - 90 minutes
  • Listening - 3 or 4 recordings, 40 minutes
  • Interview - normally with another candidate, 15 minutes
  • Grammar Test
  • Vocabulary Test
  • Dictionary Test

 

 

For further details, click on Exam English Logos

 

 

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Teaching and Learning Resources

 

• Learning Environment
• Learning Contents
• Teaching Strategies

 

 

Task-based language learning (TBLL), also known as Task-based language teaching (TBLT) or Task-based instruction (TBI) is a method of instruction in the field of language acquisition.

It focuses on the use of authentic and to the students meaningful tasks using the target language; for example, visiting the doctor, conducting an interview, or calling customer services for help. Assessment is primarily based on task outcome (i.e.: the appropriate completion of tasks) rather than simply accuracy of language forms. This makes TBLL especially popular for developing target language fluency and student confidence.

 

TBLL was popularised by N. Prabhu while working in Bangalore, India . Prabhu figured out that his students could learn language just as easily with a non-linguistic problem as when they are concentrating on linguistic questions.

Jane Willis broke it into three sections. The pre-task, the task cycle, and the language focus.

• In Practice
  • Pre-task
  • Task
  • Planning
  • Report
  • Analysis
  • Practice
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• References

 

External links

• British Council Teaching English - Methodology: A Task-based approach
• Jane and Dave Willis website
• Widgets: A task-based course in practical English
• Interact: Learn Through Experience website
• Atlas: Learning-centered communication

 

 

 

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Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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