Exam Update
The Cambridge English: Young Learners Exams, Pre A1 Starters,A1 Movers & A2 Flyers are fun, colourful ,activity based and motivating children to Learn by Doing. The same methodology is used by Superminds ( www.supermind-kids.com) English Learning for Kids ages 3-4 & 5-6 in Limassol Cyprus at Plato Educational Services.
As part of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge English regularly reviews all of the exams to make sure they are up to date with the latest research in language learning and teaching.
The 2018 updates below refer to the changes to PreA1 Starters,A1 Movers and A2 Flyers:
STARTERS: Listening
The new Starters Listening Part 1 task is now the same task as Cambridge English: Movers and Flyers Part 1 but is targeted at Pre –A1 level. Instead of placing objects on the picture ,children will need to match names to people.
Speaking: It is now made up of four tasks and the examiner will now ask the child their name. The new Part 1 combines the content from the existing Part 1 & 2.An additional question has been added .Children now need to talk about the picture, rather than point .For example (tell me about …. ) to Part 2
MOVERS: Listening
Part 3 includes matching a list of illustrated words or names with a set of pictures, instead of matching days of the week. This is now the same task as Cambridge: English Flyers Part 3 (but is targeted at A1 level)At new Movers Listening Part 5 children no longer have to draw as part of this question as this task might be stressful for children, they will now have to write a word.
Reading & Writing paper: The total number of questions has now been reduced from 40 to 35.The new Part 1 task has now only 5 questions Part 2 has only 6 questions and Part 3 has now only 7 questions. In Part 6 there is a new Writing task which replaces the existing Part 2.In this task candidates have to complete sentences, respond to questions and write in full sentences about a picture
Speaking: In the updated exam, the examiner will ask the child their name and age. In Part 2 the story now has a title and the characters have been given names to provide appropriate context and support.
A2 Flyers
Listening: In Part 5 ,candidates no longer have to draw as art of this question. As this task might be stressful for some children, they will now have just to write a word.
Reading & Writing
At Flyers, the task has been changed to bring easier tasks to the beginning of the test. Also there are now 44 questions instead of 50.The current Part 2 has been removed to make room for a new Writing task Part 7,where candidates write a short story based on three picture prompts.
In Part 3 the word options which the children are asked to select from, are now placed before the text
Speaking: In the updated Flyers peaking ,the examiner will now ask the child their name ,family name and age. In Part 3,the story now has a title and the characters have been given names to provide appropriate context and support
Source: ELT News Magazine
