From March 2011, Cambridge ESOL is making further enhancements in the way candidates’ results for many of the Cambridge exams will be presented. The process is called “Extended certification”.

‘Extended certification’ will give candidates additional credit for the language skills they have demonstrated and a clearer picture of how results relate to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Extended certification applies to:

• Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
• Cambridge English: First (FCE)
• Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET) and Preliminary for Schools
• Cambridge English: Key (KET) and Key for Schools
• Business English Certificates: Preliminary, Vantage and Higher (BEC)

A candidate who performs particularly well in the exams can get credit at a higher level on the CEFR. For example, candidates who get grade A in ‘Cambridge English: Advanced‘ receive a ‘CAE’ certificate indicating that they are at C2 level.

Candidates can also receive credit for their English language skills, even if they do not achieve a passing grade. So a candidate who does not get enough marks for a grade C in ‘Cambridge English: Advanced‘ can still be awarded a certificate showing performance at level B2 if they show this level of ability in the exam.

Extended certification will be rolled out for all the exams listed above during 2011, with most of the new certification arrangements in place for exams in March 2011.

Cambridge ESOL have renamed their well known Cambridge exams. Newly the umbrella term “Cambridge English” will now be used, followed by the appropriate level. The new title was chosen for a simpler and more powerful way to promote Cambridge exams, products and services, avoiding the use of acronyms.

       KET = Cambridge English : Key

       PET = Cambridge English : Preliminary

       FCE = Cambridge English : First

       CAE = Cambridge English : Advanced

       CPE = Cambridge English : Proficiency

       KET for Schools = Cambridge English: Key for schools

       PET for Schools = Cambridge English: Preliminary for schools

       FCE for Schools = Cambridge English: First for schools

We have launched extra examination preparation benefits for registered IELTS candidates. The self-study preparation course ‘Road to IELTS’, written by the British Council, is now available online in the Czech Republic as a free added-value service for their IELTS candidates. The course takes the test candidate through all four parts of the test; reading, listening, speaking and writing.  The material gives explanations of question types, provides tips on how to handle the tasks and provides online scoring of exercises so that candidates can assess their level and progress. In the speaking section, sample videos take the learner through each stage of the speaking test.

‘Road to IELTS Online’ is available now and is open to any person who has registered for an IELTS test with the British Council in the Czech Republic.

For more information click here.

The first computer-based FCE exam was held in Prague in November. For the spring session computer–based exams for PET and CAE are also available. Come and try out a computer-based exam in our Study Centre before deciding if you would prefer this method. More information on computer-based testing can be found here.

We are pleased to announce that practice tests for CB FCE and CB CAE are now available to download from the Cambridge ESOL public website. These practice tests are intended to give candidates the opportunity to see the types of items which will appear in the live CB tests and to see what a full CB test will be like.

From September 2009 we are introducing a new loyalty programme for teachers at primary and secondary schools. If you do a block registration for exams you will receive many benefits. There are special rewards prepared for you!

To read more please click here.

Have you got an IELTS certificate? Share your experience with the IELTS exam with us and we will send you a small present. In the end of each month there will be a draw from all stories that we have received and one of you will get another prize such as e.g. preparatory materials for exams, trendy summer bag or IELTS T-shirt.

For more information click here.

Cambridge ESOL has introduced changes to certification in order to acknowledge the achievements of those candidates who do not meet the requirements of the level at which they are tested, but demonstrate ability at the level below. Under the new system of certification for the above exams, successful candidates will continue to receive a certificate marked with one of the two passing grades – Pass with Merit or Pass. Those who do not achieve a passing grade but have demonstrated ability at the Council of Europe level below the examination they have taken will be awarded a certificate showing that level.

This change will only affect BEC Preliminary, KET, PET, KET for Schools and PET for Schools.

For example, a candidate may narrowly fail the PET exam (mapped to Council of Europe Level B1) but demonstrate ability at the level below (Council of Europe Level A2). They will not qualify for a PET certificate, but will be issued with a certificate for the level below (Council of Europe Level A2).

To read more about it please visit this page.

An example of certificates for KET candidates

The Learning English for Fun brochure is now available! The booklet contains advice and information about how young children learn languages, speaking English at home, sharing picture books and using rhymes. It is a useful tool for parents as well as for teachers.

You can find it in four parts: How young children learn English as another language, Speaking English with your child, Learning English through sharing picture books, Learning English through sharing rhymes.

In order to ensure Cambridge exams meet the needs of users, FCE and CAE have recently undergone a review and the examinations have been updated. The first session of the updated FCE and CAE exams will take place in December 2008.

You can find a detailed description of changes here: FCE, CAE.

For more information about the updates, check the web page of the University of Cambridge:
FCE updates:
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/general-english/fce.html
CAE updates:
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/general-english/cae.html