News

Cambridge ESOL and English UK to help English students find their right level

21 December 2010

Cambridge ESOL and English UK are working on an exciting new project to help improve teaching and learning outcomes for language centres and students of English.

From January 2011, English UK members will be able to offer students access to the new Cambridge English Placement Test. The test will help providers place students on courses and prepare for Cambridge English exams that accurately match their language ability.

Henry Tolley, Regional Development Manager for test developers, Cambridge ESOL, said: "The tests will help to ensure students are placed on the right courses and sit the right exams. As a result, classrooms will be comprised of students of similar abilities which will help teachers pitch classroom activities at the appropriate level. It will also give ambitious students the confidence they need to progress onto the qualifications that are suitable for them."

Mark Rendell, Deputy Chief Executive of English UK, said: "Our members will be excited at the prospect of introducing the Cambridge English Placement Test in their language centres. The test has been created by one of the world's leading assessment bodies and will provide a reliable and valid way to help our members further raise the standards of teaching English."

The adaptive online test, which uses a large encrypted item bank that is regularly refreshed, can also be taken outside the UK and provides instant results. It will allow centres to make more informed decisions when matching classes and courses with students by assessing ability from levels pre-A1 to C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

It is expected that the Cambridge English Placement Test will be available to English UK members from 17 January 2011.