Cambridge English Qualifications for young learners are developed specifically for children around 6 – 12 years of age. There are three levels, called pre-A1 Starters, A1 Movers and A2 Flyers, and each level comprises three components testing different language skills: listening, reading and writing, and speaking. The tests are designed to make learning English fun and enjoyable, and give children and their families a chance to celebrate their achievements in English. For this reason, the tests use age-appropriate activities and colourful images, and all candidates receive a certificate showing their achievement in the form of one to five shields per paper. This article uses evidence mostly from Cambridge English research in schools in Spain, Taiwan, and Vietnam to show how Starters, Movers and Flyers motivate children, encourage them and their teachers to learn the full range of language skills, and help them and their teachers see where they need to improve. The studies cited used surveys and interviews with teachers and students to gain insight into the impacts and effects of introducing Starters, Movers and Flyers [1-4].
Tests that match learners’ goals
Children see pre-A1 Starters, A1 Movers and A2 Flyers as being linked to their goals in life. For example, our surveys suggest that most young learners agree that learning English will be useful for them when they ‘learn new things’, for study abroad, or to improve their job prospects.
Language tests for children – gentle encouragement or too much stress?