Cambridge English Languages

Please note, that this is a general Cambridge English converter, it does not refer directly to the Swiss grades.

For your information, a few months ago we were in touch with the working group (SKKAB, SWISSMEM, CFMP, SEFRI, SRK) in charge of the conversion tables and we recommended the following tables below to ensure the new system is applied coherently across all our exams.

Recommendation 1 (where B1 is required):

CEScale	Swiss Grade	CEFR
160+	6.0	B2
155-159	5.5	B1
150-154	5.0	B1
145-149	4.5	B1
140-144	4.0	B1
133-139	3.5	A2
126-132	3.0	A2
120-125	2.5	A2
115-119	2.0
109-114	1.5
102-108	1.0

Recommendation 2 (where B2 is required):

CEScale	Swiss Grade	CEFR
180+	6.0	C1
175-179	5.5	B2
170-174	5.0	B2
165-169	4.5	B2
160-164	4.0	B2
153-159	3.5	B1
146-152	3.0	B1
140-144	2.5	B1
135-139	2.0
129-134	1.5
122-128	1.0

It is also important to confirm that there has been no change in standard with the introduction of the Cambridge English scale.

You will notice for instance, that a pass for both BEC P and PET exams is awarded at 140 points on the Cambridge English scale (instead of previously 65/100 for BEC P and 70/100 for PET)

This is because 65/100 on BEC P and 70/100 on PET still represent the same level of achievement in terms of language ability i.e. B1 level.

The key difference with the old standardised scores is that the old scores out of 100 represented marks achieved in the exam in its own right and did little to give candidates an idea of how they are progressing through our exams. The Cambridge English Scale reports performance across a wider range of language ability than any single exam and aims to indicate their level of English. The same level of proficiency is represented with the same score in each exam. This development was thoroughly validated using data from millions of candidates. With the new scale we have not changed any standards or requirements.

We have prepared a factsheet for teachers explaining how practice test scores can be converted to the new Cambridge English scale scores:

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/210434-converting-practice-test-scores-to-cambridge-english-scale-scores.pdf

You may also find the Cambridge English scale for Teachers webpage useful:

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/cambridge-english-scale/teachers/

2016 Cambridge English Language Assessment awards for preparation centres

We are pleased to announce that nominations for the 2016 Cambridge English Language Assessment awards for preparation centres are now open.
The awards are an opportunity for us to reward our network of global preparation centres, with a focus on exceptional customer service.

Every registered Cambridge English preparation centre can apply. Winners will be flown to Cambridge, UK from 28 June to 1 July 2016, to attend the event which will include a full programme of seminars, activities and networking sessions.

Applications close on 16 March 2016, 12:00 GMT. For further information please go to the Preparation Centre Awards page on Preparation Centres Online.

---

 

Testbank – New Cambridge English: Key and Cambridge English: Preliminary tests available!

Authentic online practice tests are now available for Cambridge English: Key and Cambridge English: Preliminary. These are a popular part of our range of official preparation materials.

Testbank is also available for the following exams:

• Cambridge English: Key for Schools
• Cambridge English: Preliminary for Schools
• Cambridge English: First for Schools
• Cambridge English: First
• Cambridge English: Advanced

Practice makes perfect! Visit our website to find out more.

Did you miss our Digital Events last autumn? Here is another chance to join us with a further four dates coming up over the next six weeks.

Register for an Oxford Digital Event today >

Join us in St.Gallen, Bellinzona, Genève or Lausanne, where we will explore the wealth of digital materials available for Oxford’s general English courses, and consider how you and your students can make the most of these learning technologies both in and out of the classroom. Each participant will receive a teacher activation code for Oxford Learn, an e-book code to redeem via the Oxford Learner’s Bookshelf, and three months’ free access to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries Premium Website. There will also be a chance to exchange with colleagues and share experiences.

Register for an Oxford Digital Event today >

New Webinar for Teachers
Supporting mixed ability learners at PET/KET levels – reading/writing skills

25 & 27 January 2016

Cambridge English Language Assessment invites you to join us for our new webinar: Supporting mixed ability learners at PET/KET levels – reading/writing skills on Monday 25 January 14.00 – 15.00 (UK time*) and Wednesday 27 January 10.00 – 11.00 (UK time*). Following the webinar on teaching speaking and listening skills in a mixed ability class, we now consider the challenge of teaching mixed ability (A2 – B1) students in the context of reading and writing skills. We will look at the different skills sets that the students have, with reference to the CEFR, and reinforce the concept of differentiation, analysing how the teacher can manage such classes at different stages of a lesson and adapt activities to cater for different levels and learning styles. Classroom activities will look at the individual skills of reading and writing, as well as an integrated skills approach. The focus of activities will be aimed at raising the overall ability of A2 students, at the same time as challenging the B1 level members of the class, with reference made to task types/skills required for KET/ PET for Schools Reading and Writing Papers where relevant.

REGISTRATION Check the times of the webinar where you are: Monday 25 January 2016  |  Wednesday 27 January 2016 To register for this webinar, please click on the link below:

 

Register by click here

Here is an image of our stand at the Berufsmesse Zürich. We launched our new study abroad programmes here. For more information on our study abroad programmes, please follow this link: studyholiday

We have just published a new Face 2 Face CELTA date. Details below:

Start date: 7 April 2016

Continue reading New date for CELTA 2016

Cambridge English: Advanced and Proficiency can be used to apply to universities for degree courses (or higher), where these exams are accepted. It is important that you and your preparation centres continue to recommend these exams for study at UK universities.

Continue reading Cambridge English exams are accepted for UK University Degree courses

The 2017 exam dates wall chart and flyer will be published on Preparation Centres Online in mid-December. We continue to take on board your feedback and offer a wide selection of dates to suit varying needs around the world.

We also monitor the number of entries for different sessions and continue to offer those dates which have proved most popular previously. You may, therefore, notice that a few Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) sessions are no longer offered because these sessions have had less candidature in the past. BEC continues to serve the international business community and remains an important part of our offering.

We are very excited to announce that from November 17, we will also be offering International Study Programmes.

To begin with we will be offering ‘Study Abroad’ in the UK only and adding other countries at a later date.

Visit our new study abroad website for more information: studyholiday

We are excited to announce that we have introduced new pricing features available for exam dates from January 2016. Premier and Early Bird registration is now possible and many more exciting things.

Click here for more information