Cambridge ESOL could not have enjoyed so much success in 2007, were it not for the contribution of everyone involved. Language schools, educational institutions and all our centres play a vital role in providing the language skills, positive learning experiences and confidence we strive to encourage. We will continue to support these aims throughout 2008 by continuing to provide language exams of the highest possible quality, relevance and usefulness.

Centre network

The centre network is central to the delivery of exams and is the main channel of communication with schools and candidates. Cambridge ESOL has a team of Centre Support Officers to provide help and support to centres. The Cambridge ESOL Helpdesk also offers a first point of contact, monitored by trained service desk analysts.

CentreNet, a website dedicated to Cambridge ESOL centres, was overhauled in 2007 and now has a brand new, fresh look. We looked carefully at feedback received from centres and built the site with them in mind. A new improved navigation and search facility for example, gives easy access to the required materials.

Candidate Support

As well as offering comprehensive support to Cambridge ESOL centres, it is also important to ensure that the test takers themselves are well provided for.

In September we launched a new support website which is available to millions of learners and test takers around the world. Candidate Support provides a free, central resource for anyone studying or planning to study for a Cambridge ESOL certificate.

The new web-based resource allows candidates to:

• check on how they can use their certificate with potential employers and education institutions around the world
• keep a record of their language learning
• access practice activities for their certificate
• see the main do’s and don’ts of taking each exam
• learn from the experiences of other English test takers.

The Global Recognition database on the site allows users to search through tens of thousands of organisations and education institutions which rely on Cambridge ESOL certificates as proof of English language skills.

The other materials on the site include a list of ‘Can Do’ statements, giving a straightforward outline of what the takers of each test can expect to be able to do with their skills, along with sample tests and revision activities.

Local Secretary training

Cambridge ESOL has a network of more than 2,000  authorised exam centres in over 130 countries. Every centre has a designated Local Secretary, approved by Cambridge ESOL. The Local Secretary is responsible for all the financial, administration, promotional and customer service procedures at a centre and for ensuring exams are run in accordance with our regulations. Local Secretaries are the key to candidates’ positive experience of the exams and as such play a vital role in Cambridge ESOL’s success.

Cambridge ESOL invests substantially in support and training for Local Secretaries and their colleagues. There is a dedicated website and a helpdesk staffed with skilled analysts who are on hand to assist and support them with all their enquiries.

Regular Local Secretary meetings and conferences are held in countries all over the world. In October, we hosted our first national conference for Local Secretaries in Italy. The conference brought together 130 people from language schools and universities all over Italy, for two days of extensive discussion on the examinations and how they can help support learners in the Italian context. Particular highlights of the conference were the four guest speakers – Dr Michael Milanovic, Chief Executive of Cambridge ESOL and his colleague Nick Saville, Director of Research and Validation, were joined by Paul Docherty, Director of the British Council in Italy and Gisella Langè from the Italian Ministry of Education.

Some Local Secretaries’ meetings also take place in Cambridge. In 2007 we were pleased to welcome groups of Local Secretaries from countries as diverse as Germany, Portugal and Uruguay.

Cambridge ESOL also holds regular training sessions for Local Secretaries. At least six events are held in Cambridge each year, with additional ad hoc sessions arranged where necessary. These training sessions cover the complete cycle of examination administration from making entries through to receiving results. The interactive training events are delivered through workshops and hands-on training. Regular computer-based testing training sessions are also held for Local Secretaries and technicians both in Cambridge and abroad, which included Spain in November 2007. We also offer online training.

International partners

Cambridge ESOL works with a range of partners around the globe, ensuring we stay at the forefront of language assessment. We are a founding member of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). ALTE is a group of European institutions, each of which produces examinations and certification for language learners. ALTE encourages collaboration on joint projects and the exchange of ideas and knowledge.

We work particularly closely with the British Council, which administers Cambridge ESOL exams in many countries. The British Council is also a partner in IELTS, which is owned jointly by Cambridge ESOL, the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia.

Cambridge ESOL is working with an increasing number of international partners, such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the world’s largest and fastest-growing global accountancy body, with whom we developed the new International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE).

Other international companies have also been instrumental in the development of new qualifications. Translegal, who provides legal English products and services, worked with Cambridge ESOL to develop the International Legal English Certificate (ILEC) for lawyers and law students requiring English language skills to work effectively in the international legal environment.