One reason for the continuing success of Cambridge ESOL examinations is the dedicated research that goes into them. On average we conduct around 70 validation studies each year. These provide rigorous quality assurance for the exams at every stage of the assessment process. We conduct analyses and research projects for all our exams and establish and implement standard procedures which are regularly reviewed.

As well as our own research, we are also involved with several long-term research projects for IELTS with our partners, the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. In 1995 the IELTS partnership set up a joint-funded research program. Since then 66 projects and around 100 individual researchers have received grant funding through the program.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

All Cambridge ESOL exams are developed to align with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR). The CEFR is tightly woven into the cycle of test development and delivery, and a continuous process of research and analysis helps to ensure that this alignment remains as close as possible.

Cambridge ESOL trains staff and examiners – especially those who are involved in test development, item writing or rating scale development and implementation – to familiarise them with the Framework and train them in using the CEFR scales.

For example, in a 2007 workshop 14 subject managers, subject officers, validation officers, item-writer chairs, senior team leaders and principal examiners came together for a full day workshop, initiated by the Research and Validation Group at Cambridge ESOL.

International seminar on the Common European Framework of Reference

A major seminar took place in Cambridge in December to review progress on the development of a pilot manual for relating language examinations to the CEFR. The seminar, organised by the Association of Language Testers in Europe, (ALTE) on behalf of the Language Policy Division of the Council of Europe was hosted by Cambridge ESOL and brought together some 50 specialists in language testing from 17 countries.

A series of presentations and discussions reviewed the experience of working with the Council of Europe’s draft pilot manual over the last three years. Speakers included Brian North of Eurocentres – one of the authors of the manual and a driving force behind the CEFR – and Johanna Panthier of the Council of Europe, as well as representatives of many testing organisations.

English Profile

The English Profile project is a long-term, collaborative research programme, designed to enhance the learning, teaching and assessment of English worldwide. It is now in its second year of development. In collaboration with academics, teachers and education authorities worldwide, English Profile is exploring the way learners of English progress through the levels of the CEFR.

At the heart of the English Profile research programme is the Cambridge Learner Corpus. This unique corpus, jointly owned by Cambridge ESOL and Cambridge University Press, contains 27 million words produced by candidates taking Cambridge ESOL exams. This means that researchers can investigate the language skills of learners whose level has already been measured. It also allows researchers to profile the specific issues which affect learners with different first languages.

Findings from the English Profile research will be published and the research will be presented at conferences around the world. The project will lead to the production of resources which will be useful to learners, teachers, course designers, and anyone involved in the teaching and learning of English.

Since 1995, 66 projects and around 100 individual researchers have received grant funding through the IELTS partnership research programme