annual review - Cambridge English

2013
ANNUAL REVIEW
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Introduction
100 YEARS
40 MILLION EXAMS
In 2013, we celebrated the centenary
of the first Cambridge English exam,
taken in 1913. A programme of events
marking this important anniversary
took us to more than 25 countries and
brought together thousands of the
stakeholders who have helped to make
Cambridge English the success it is
today, with nearly 4.5 million people
taking the exams each year in more than
130 countries.
A specially designed plaque was produced by the
world-famous Cardozo Kindersley Workshop to mark
the centenary of the Cambridge English exams
In this review we describe a few of the
highlights of the last 12 months, including
our new identity, the introduction of
important changes to the structure of the
organisation and exciting new projects in
support of language education in school
systems around the world.
1
100 years of
Cambridge English
The first Cambridge English exam – the
Certificate of Proficiency in English – was
taken by three candidates in the UK in
June 1913. The exam lasted 12 hours and
included compulsory translation, phonetic
transcription and a 2-hour essay on a topic
of contemporary interest.
1913 The first
Certificate of
Proficiency
in English
is taken
by three
candidates
1930s and 40s
The global
centre network
grows rapidly,
with more than
35 countries
by 1945
1913
Today, Cambridge English offers a wide range
of exams and services to meet the changing
needs of learners, teachers, employers,
educational institutions and governments.
The exams focus on practical real-world
communication skills. They help more than
4 million candidates every year to improve
1965
1 Hills Road,
Cambridge opened;
headquarters for
Cambridge English
exams to this day
1980 Preliminary
English Test
introduces
testing for
less advanced
learners
1946
1939 The Lower
Certificate in English
extends the range
of Cambridge
English exams
1943–48
Thousands
of Polish
servicemen
and women
take Cambridge
English exams
100 years of Cambridge English
1989 EFL
Evaluation
Unit: dedicated
research team
for Cambridge
English exams
1991 ALTE
(Association of
Language Testers
in Europe) founded;
a powerful voice for
multilingualism
1987
1975
Lower Certificate
becomes First
Certificate in English
1988 Dr Peter
Hargreaves
becomes first
director of EFL
in Cambridge
1989 IELTS
launched; over
the next 24 years,
annual entries grow
to 1.8 million
their English and to prove that they have the
language skills they need for migration, study
and work.
The exams are constantly reviewed and
updated, and this year we launched a revised
version of Cambridge English: Proficiency,
which maintains the high standards of this
qualification while reducing the length of
the exam. The centenary year also saw
the launch of a computer-based version of
the test.
1992
Cambridge
Learner
Corpus
established
1997 Cambridge
Young Learners
English Tests
2002 Cambridge
ESOL brand
launched; dedicated
to English language
assessment
2005
English Profile
programme
established to
develop the
CEFR for English
2000
1991
Certificate
in Advanced
English
1993 Business English
Certificates
Looking to the future, Cambridge English is
investing in new technology and cutting-edge
research to enable us to meet the needs of
a wider range of customers. The increasing
use of international certification as part
of children’s full-time education and the
increasing integration of teaching, learning
and assessment are two areas in which
Cambridge English will play a leading role in
the coming years.
for Schools
2009
‘for Schools’
exams
introduced
2010 CaMLA
Cambridge
Michigan
Language
Assessments
launched
2012
Over 4 million
candidates in
130 countries;
2,700 centres;
400 staff
2008
2001
Common European
Framework
of Reference
(CEFR) published
by Cambridge
University Press
2003
Dr Michael
Milanovic becomes
Chief Executive,
Cambridge ESOL
2007
Onscreen marking
introduced; part of the
technological revolution
in language assessment
2013
2009 SurveyLang
consortium launches
European Survey
on Language
Competences
2011 Cambridge Exams Publishing
established: joint unit with
Cambridge University Press
2–3
A series of special events in key cities
across Europe, Asia, the Americas and
Australasia marked the centenary of the
Cambridge English exams. Ambassadors’
residences, medieval cloisters and
even a salt mine were just some of the
remarkable venues that played host to
the events.
Peru
Our celebrations brought together
stakeholders and invited guests to
celebrate the centenary and reflect
on the current position of language
learning. Many of the events included the
participation of the British Ambassador
or other senior diplomats, along with
officials from national education
ministries, academics and policy makers,
as well as the Centre Exams Managers
who run the network of Cambridge
English exam centres.
One of the highlights of the programme
was a special concert by the Britten
Sinfonia orchestra in Mexico City.
The pictures to the right show delegates at a few
of the centenary events held around the world
in 2013.
100 years of Cambridge English
Mexico
Spain
Poland
Italy
India
Argentina
4–5
Cambridge English
In January 2013, Cambridge ESOL began its transition to a new identity – Cambridge English
Language Assessment – along with a new logo.
This new identity is designed to emphasise the concept of Cambridge English; a distinctive
approach to language learning, teaching and assessment, based on an extensive research
programme. It prioritises positive educational achievement and the development of language skills
which are directly relevant to learners’ real-world needs.
Working with Cambridge
University Press
A key element in the Cambridge English concept is
the extensive range of official preparation materials
produced by Cambridge Exams Publishing, a joint unit
set up by Cambridge English Language Assessment and
Cambridge University Press. 2013 saw an important
addition to the range of preparation materials with the
publication of an e-book version of the popular Complete
IELTS, to offer candidates greater flexibility in their
exam preparation.
Cambridge English
At the heart of our provision for teachers is Cambridge English
h
Teacher, a professional membership that gives teachers accesss
to a wide range of training, resources and forums which help
them to build their confidence and skills. In 2013, Institutional
Membership was launched to support organisations in their
commitment to provide ongoing teacher development in a
cost-effective and flexible manner.
Cambridge English Schools is a new global initiative to
encourage schools to improve standards of English by
incorporating Cambridge English exams and learning materialss
into their curriculum. More than 300 schools in 14 countries
have now joined the programme.
Children at Gymnasium #105 in Almaty, Kazakhstan – the first school in Kazakhstan to join the Cambridge English
Schools programme
6–7
Global Network Programme
Cambridge English Language Assessment is introducing a new structure to support long-term
growth, responding directly to local needs while retaining all the benefits of the global
‘Cambridge approach’.
The biggest innovation in the new structure will be a network of regional ‘hubs’ with increased
staffing to provide a fuller service to customers.
During 2013, hubs were set up in nine key regions:
ʺͶ Brazil
ʺͶ East Asia
ʺͶ Iberia
ʺͶ Mexico, Central
America & the
Caribbean
ʺͶ Northern Europe
ʺͶ South Asia
ʺͶ Southern Cone
& the Andes
ʺͶ Southern Europe
ʺͶ West Europe
Global Network
Each hub will have a common structure with a regional director and a team of specialists working
closely with their counterparts in Cambridge.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Head of Assessment Services
Head of Network Services
Head of Business Development
Head of Marketing
Providing an expert interface between
Assessment and Operations, Research
and Validation and the market to ensure
that we can respond to the needs of
our customers.
Managing centre networks across
the regions and enhancing customer
services, quality management and
centre support.
Increasing the use and recognition of our
exams and building stronger customer
relations across our markets.
Providing first-class promotional
and communication support for
our markets and building stronger
stakeholder relationships.
During 2013, we introduced
25 new websites targeting
the needs of stakeholders
in different countries and
regions around the world.
These sites provide content
and news specifically tailored
to users in these countries,
written in their local language.
Students at the Institute of Online Education, Beijing, China, using the
Cambridge English website
8–9
Europe
Cambridge English exams were first offered in the UK in 1913 and in continental Europe in 1933,
when centres were established in Hamburg, Paris and San Remo. Since then our network has
extended throughout the continent and the exams are increasingly integrated into the education
systems of many countries.
Spain
Cambridge English exams are widely
used in the school systems of many
of Spain’s autonomous regions,
supporting the rapidly growing
number of bilingual schools as well as
more traditional language curricula.
In 2013, agreements were signed
with the regional governments of
Andalucía and Castilla-La Mancha,
extending this provision still further.
We also extended our long-standing
collaboration with the network of
state-funded religious schools which
are responsible for the education
of a large proportion of children in
the country.
Global Network
The first Cambridge English exams in Spain were held in June
1945 in Madrid and Barcelona. Monique Fonthier, one of the
candidates from that session, was interviewed by the press as part
of a feature on the Cambridge English centenary
Italy
In 2013, we ran an extensive study to measure the long-term impact of Cambridge English
exams in the Italian school curriculum, 10 years after they were introduced as part of the Italian
government’s Progetto Lingue 2000. The study, part of a commitment to ensure that the exams
deliver real educational benefits, demonstrated that the positive impacts documented in 2003
remain effective a decade later.
The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) is now used
by six Italian universities to recruit students for medical courses
which are taught in English. In 2013, a new suite of Italian
language tests were introduced with the support of the Italian
Ministry of Education. These tests help universities to select students across a range of subjects
including medicine, veterinary science and architecture.
Portugal
We are working with a consortium of leading Portuguese
companies to provide an internationally recognised English
language exam which will be taken by all year 9 pupils in
around 1,000 state schools in April 2014.
The tests will be administered by the Instituto de Avaliação Educacional (IAVE), the national
examining body. There will be no cost to schools or the government, thanks to an innovative
collaboration between Cambridge English Language Assessment and a consortium of some of the
country’s top companies.
We will train around 1,200 teachers to become Speaking examiners, qualifying them to run the
Speaking examinations according to the rigorous professional standards required for all Cambridge
English exams. We will also provide the Ministry of Education with an in-depth analysis of the
10 – 11
strengths and weaknesses of language learning in Portuguese schools, an essential first step to
improving standards of English throughout the country.
United Kingdom
The Cambridge English Recognition team has worked closely with colleges and universities in the
UK to help them set appropriate standards of English for entry to undergraduate and postgraduate
courses. The vast majority of institutions in the UK now accept both Cambridge English: Advanced
and IELTS. In 2013, there was a 300% increase in the number of overseas students using
Cambridge English: Advanced or Cambridge English: Proficiency as part of their application to study at
a UK university.
Going beyond the testing of language skills, the Admissions Testing Service’s BMAT (BioMedical
Admissions Test) is increasingly used by medical schools to help them select students for medical
degrees. Most recently the medical schools of the Universities of Leeds and Brighton and Sussex
have joined Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and the Royal Veterinary College, amongst others.
Students at City College Peterborough, UK, preparing for Cambridge English exams
Global Network
BMAT is also being adopted by universities outside the UK.
The Admissions Testing Service also completed trialling of the new Cambridge Personal Styles
Questionnaire (CPSQ), a service designed to help universities select candidates for courses in
higher education, with a particular focus on medicine, nursing and other healthcare professions.
This test, which helps to determine whether candidates have the right personality traits for a
career in nursing, will be launched in 2014.
Russia
In 2013, we provided specially developed English language tests for the Moscow City Department
of Education to assess upper-secondary school students. More than 200 state schools in 15
Russian cities now also run exam preparation classes for their students.
A number of top Russian universities, including Saint Petersburg State University, Ural Federal
University and Baltic Federal University, also recognise our exams. Students with a Cambridge
Children at the Centre of Education and Culture, Republic of Karelia, Russia – a Cambridge English exam centre that
offers a range of exams from Cambridge English: Young Learners up to Cambridge English: Proficiency
12 – 13
English certificate at the required level are exempt from internal English exams at the end of
their degrees.
Several regional ministries of education, including Moscow City and the Kaliningrad area,
accept TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) certificates as part of their evaluation of teachers’
professional progress.
Central Europe
More and more employers in Central Europe are adopting the Cambridge English exams as part of
their staff recruitment and development programmes. Important new adoptions in 2013 included
the well-known Czech brewing companies Staropramen and Pilsner Urquell, and important Polish
companies such as Polish Gas and the Polish Energy Group, as well as the Polish arms of leading
international companies, including Orange, Accenture and Dell.
Cambridge English exams are
proving particularly successful in
Ukraine, where 23 schools in both
the state and private education
sectors have joined the Cambridge
English Schools programme.
Ukraine’s Education Ministry is
working with Cambridge English
to explore new ways of raising
language standards nationally,
and a delegation from the
Ministry visited Cambridge in
early December.
An exam preparation class for Cambridge English: Business Certificates
at Eufrat Group SRO, a Cambridge English exam centre in the
Czech Republic
Global Network
Latin America
Cambridge English exams were introduced
throughout Latin America by British cultural
institutions in the 1940s, extending from
Mexico in the north to Buenos Aires and
Santiago de Chile in the south. More than
70 years later, many of these institutions
remain a cornerstone of the centre network,
now joined by a rapidly growing number
of schools, universities, commercial
organisations and education ministries.
Argentina
In November, public school students in
Tigre in the province of Buenos Aires
became the first students in Argentina to
have the opportunity to take Cambridge
English exams as part of their regular school
curriculum. This was part of a wider initiative
to improve English language learning in
the region and give more children access
to internationally recognised qualifications
at school.
Sixth-grade pupils from School Nº 15 from El Talar in the Tigre Municipality, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, took
Cambridge English: Young Learners as part of our collaboration with the Department of Education in Tigre
14 – 15
Mexico
Cambridge English exams play a particularly
important role in Mexico, where they are
widely used in both private schools and
universities, and in the public education
systems of many states. Our exams also have
a strong part to play in the professionalisation
of Mexican teachers.
The TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) has been
adopted by more than 60% of the Mexican
federal states, including the Distrito Federal,
which includes Mexico City. It is used to
help ensure teachers’ knowledge of English
language teaching is up to date, improve their
effectiveness in the classroom and enhance
their career prospects.
Teachers in Mexico can also use ICELT
(In-service Certificate in English Language
Teaching) and Cambridge English: Advanced
towards a BA degree in English Language
Teaching. Cambridge English: First and
Children from our preparation centre the Colegio Americano de Tabasco, Mexico, celebrating their world day
Global Network
TKT can also count towards lower-level
university qualifications.
Public primary schools in the state of
Aguascalientes took part in the piloting of
the new computer-based Cambridge English:
Young Learners tests and the launch event was
attended by the state’s Minister of Education.
Brazil
Cambridge English: Advanced and IELTS
have been officially recognised as part of
the Science without Borders (Ciência sem
Fronteiras) programme, established by
Brazil’s Ministry of Education and Ministry
of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The programme gives grants for Brazilian
students who wish to study science at
top international universities and research
institutions, a key part of the country’s
strategy for modernisation.
16 – 17
Chile
Uruguay
In April, the Chilean Ministry of Education
published the results of a nationwide
assessment of the English language skills
of around 185,000 students in their final
year of compulsory education. The SIMCE
Inglés tests were developed by Cambridge
English to measure the proportion of students
achieving the national target of Level A2.
The Uruguayan Ministry of Education has
become a centre for Cambridge English
exams, extending opportunities for students
to gain international certification as part of
their full-time education.
The test was administered by the Instituto
Chileno Británico de Cultura and a detailed
analysis of the results was produced by
Cambridge English. Additional results were
provided for students who exceeded this level
and demonstrated ability at Level B1. The
test will be repeated in 2014 to measure the
progress of the government’s programme to
raise standards of English across the country.
The Ministry of Education has also worked
with the Instituto Chileno Británico de Cultura
to give language teachers the opportunity to
gain Cambridge English certificates as part of
their professional development.
Students at Instituto Cultural Anglo-Uruguayo
in Uruguay, which has been a Cambridge English
centre since the 1940s
Global Network
Peru
Lima played host to the 2013 LABCI (Latin American British Cultural Institutes) conference, which
included a special celebration of the Cambridge English centenary, as well as the historic link
between Cambridge and the ‘Cultura’ institutions, many of which have been centres for more than
70 years.
Colombia
The Cambridge English Schools programme has been particularly well received in Colombia,
where more than 20 schools have already signed agreements to become part of the scheme.
Fifth graders at Gimnasio Los Pinos in Colombia studying science in English. The school became a Cambridge English
School in 2013 and offers a range of official Cambridge English exams and support materials to their students
18 – 19
Asia
Cambridge English Language Assessment has experienced continuous growth in Asia since the
introduction of IELTS in the early 1990s. Entries for the exams have grown rapidly, especially
following the introduction of the Cambridge English: Business Certificates in China in 1991
and India in 1997. Our exams are also strategically important, with many governments using
Cambridge English to help them to achieve their national targets for learning English. A flourishing
network of centres now covers the whole region.
China and Hong Kong
A major conference held
in Beijing in October 2013
marked the 20th anniversary
of the collaboration between
Cambridge English and
China’s National Education
Examinations Authority.
Perspectives on Language
Learning, Teaching and
Assessment in China included
presentations by academics
from China and the UK,
reviewing the enormous
progress that has been made
in language education in
China and considering how
technology can support
further advances.
Global Network
Delegates at the Perspectives on Language Learning, Teaching and Assessment
event, China
We also published a new book, Profiling English in China: the Pearl River Delta by David Graddol,
which combines academic research with personal experience to provide a detailed investigation of
the complex patterns of language use in Hong Kong and the surrounding areas of China. The book
is the first in a planned series which will provide a model for the kind of analysis that is needed as
a basis for meaningful progress in language education.
India
Professional development for teachers is an important part of our work in India. In Chennai, the
Tech Mahindra Foundation is supporting a project to help improve the standard of English of school
teachers working in the Chennai Corporation schools. Participating teachers have the opportunity
to take Cambridge English exams and Tech Mahindra hopes to extend this model more widely
across the country.
The TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test)
is also widely used to support
professional development, and
in 2013 it was adopted by the
Chhattisgarh government.
The Cambridge English: Business
Certificates are widely used by
Indian universities, and in 2013 the
prestigious Institute of Management
recommended these exams to their
students, as did a number of other
important institutions.
Vice Chancellors from 24 Indian
universities attended a special forum
A Cambridge English class at Sri Guru Harkrishan Model Senior
Secondary School Chandigarh, India
20 – 21
in Chennai in November to discuss ways in
which Cambridge English can help to improve
the employability of Indian students.
Thailand
The Ministry of Education in Thailand has
used the Cambridge English Placement Test
to measure the language skills of around
70,000 students as part of a national
programme to raise standards of English.
Vietnam
We worked closely with government
education agencies in many parts of Vietnam,
with a particular focus on the professional
development of teachers. In September, a
workshop in Ho Chi Minh City was run jointly
with the local Department of Education and
Training, giving more than 600 teachers a
practical introduction to the assessment of
speaking skills.
Wellspring International Bilingual School, a Cambridge English preparation school in Vietnam
Global Network
Malaysia teacher
study
We are working with the Ministry of
Education in Malaysia to carry out
an in-depth study of the learning,
teaching and assessment of English
in Malaysian schools. The large-scale
project will focus on children and
teachers in schools from pre-school
to pre-university. The study is part of
a programme which aims to ensure
every child is proficient in Bahasa
Malaysia and English, and is endorsed
by the Malaysian Education Blueprint
2013–2025.
Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (centre)
with Martin Robinson and Hanan Khalifa from Cambridge English
Language Assessment
The study will review the current
national curricula, learning materials,
examinations and teaching practices,
as well as testing the language levels
of students and teachers to provide
the Ministry of Education with
baseline data that can be used to set
realistic and achievable targets for
future learning.
Cambridge English: Young Learners candidates practising speaking
skills at Malayan Education Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia
22 – 23
Turkey and the Middle East
Cambridge English exams were initially
established in Egypt and Iraq during the
1940s. More recently, centres have flourished
throughout the region as an increasingly global
economy drives demand for professionals with
a high level of language skills.
Turkey
Cambridge English exams are becoming
increasingly popular in Turkey, and a rapidly
growing number of schools are incorporating
the exams and learning materials published
by Cambridge University Press as part of their
curriculum. In October, the Denizatı School in
Istanbul became the first in Turkey to join the
Cambridge English Schools programme.
Denizatı School in Istanbul became the first in Turkey
to join the Cambridge English Schools programme
Turkey’s largest university, Anadolu Üniversitesi,
has become a Cambridge English centre, building
on its close collaboration with Cambridge
University Press.
The BULATS Business Language Testing Service is
also being widely used by Turkish companies,
with new adoptions in 2013 including the
Hürriyet newspaper group.
Global Network
Cambridge English: First candidates at Gulf College,
Oman
Egypt
United Arab Emirates
A programme of English courses and
assessments is helping improve access to
postgraduate study and career opportunities
for Egyptian university students. Working
in collaboration with the British Council, the
Cambridge English programme was launched
in 2010 by the Center for Advancement of
Post-Graduate Studies at Cairo University.
The programme is part of the Pathways to
Higher Education project.
Students planning to study on undergraduate
or graduate programmes in the United
Arab Emirates can now use Cambridge
English: Advanced to prove their English
ability when applying for courses, following
official recognition by the Ministry of Higher
Education and Scientific Research.
As well as providing the expertise required
to deliver such an extensive and long-term
programme, we are also undertaking a
wide-ranging evaluation study to assess the
programme’s impact.
In December, we held a joint conference
on the Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages (CEFR) with the
Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai.
Oman
The TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) was
introduced in Oman as part of a teacher
development programme administered
by the British Council. English teachers
from primary and secondary schools
were presented with their certificates in
a ceremony at the British Ambassador’s
residence in Muscat.
The joint Common European Framework of Reference
for Languages conference with Higher Colleges of
Technology in Dubai
24 – 25
Australasia
For many years, our work in Australia and
New Zealand was managed by a single
centre based in Sydney, which administered
testing throughout both countries. Since
2010, when Cambridge English: Advanced
became a recognised qualification for
student visas, an expanded centre network
has supported the needs of an increasingly
diverse candidature.
Occupational English Test
In March 2013,
we announced
a joint venture
with the Box
Hill Institute in
Melbourne, Australia. The new company –
Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment
– manages the Occupational English Test
(OET), a well-established language test
for medical professionals and students
who want to work in an English-speaking
country. OET is recognised by more than
20 healthcare bodies and councils in
Global Network
Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, and
the new arrangements will make it available
worldwide through the Cambridge English
centre network.
The test was developed by academics at
the University of Melbourne and includes
specialised tests of the English language skills
required for a range of medical specialisms:
ʺͶ Dentistry
ʺͶ Dietetics
ʺͶ Medicine
ʺͶ Nursing
ʺͶ Occupational Therapy
ʺͶ Optometry
ʺͶ Pharmacy
ʺͶ Physiotherapy
ʺͶ Podiatry
ʺͶ Radiography
ʺͶ Speech Pathology
ʺͶ Veterinary Science
USA
Cambridge English
exams, particularly
the qualifications for
teachers, are well
established in the
USA, and IELTS is
widely accepted by US
universities. In 2010, CaMLA – Cambridge
Michigan Language Assessments – was
established in collaboration with the
University of Michigan to extend the
opportunities for candidates who want a
qualification which focuses specifically on
American English.
CaMLA’s international centre network
continues to grow rapidly, with the opening
up in 2013 of centre networks in several
countries, including Iraq and Albania, where
access to international language tests has
previously been extremely limited. New
opportunities were also created in India
following an agreement between CaMLA and
Planet EDU, which already runs an important
network of centres for the Cambridge English
exams. Mexico’s Ministry of Education now
recognises all CaMLA tests.
CaMLA tests of English
for young learners
In 2013, CaMLA launched its new Young
Learners Tests of English (YLTE) – a fun and
motivating way to test the English of young
learners in the primary and middle grades. The
tests are international, focusing on American
English. As with the Cambridge English exams
for young learners, the YLTE tests are designed
to ensure that they have a positive impact on
children and their language learning.
CaMLA also launched a new speaking test to
complement the well-established Michigan
English Test.
CaMLA’s work is supported
by the secondment of
senior managers from
Cambridge who provide
expertise in areas such as
quality management and
centre support, and help
CaMLA to integrate its
processes with those used
in Cambridge.
26 – 27
Supporting learners
Helping language learners and teachers to
develop more effectively is a key priority
for Cambridge English. Our exams have
always been designed to encourage
effective language education and we now
offer comprehensive solutions to support
language teaching, learning and assessment
all over the world.
Connecting with learners
through social media
and games
Monkey Puzzles
We now have a community of over 3 million
followers on our social media channels,
actively engaging with us to get tips and
quizzes about learning and teaching English.
We have also launched popular games and
Cambridge English Penfriends activities
to provide learners and teachers with fun
resources to be used inside and outside
the classroom.
Supporting our community
Facebook
Supporting our customers
From a single centre in 1913 to more than 45,000 centres and preparation centres in 2013, the
Cambridge English centre network has always provided the channel for delivering our exams to
candidates and ensuring the quality of their experience.
Enhancing customer services
The Cambridge English Customer Services group has been renamed Network Services to reflect
their increasingly central role in the management of many areas of the organisation’s work. As
part of the increased investment in support for centres and other stakeholders, a new customer
support system has been introduced to manage enquiries online. The new system gives helpdesk
staff greater support in managing the progress of an enquiry and gives detailed feedback
The Cambridge English helpdesk
28 – 29
on response times and customer
satisfaction. Customers are now able to
contact the Cambridge English helpdesk
by phone, email or Twitter and can opt
to have an online conversation with a
helpdesk operator.
Centre Print Scan
A new system rolled out in 2013 allows
centres to produce exam stationery and
other paperwork locally, and to scan in
candidates’ responses so that they can
be sent to Cambridge electronically. The
Centre Print Scan system allows for faster
processing of entries and results, giving
greater flexibility for centres, schools and
candidates, and reducing the cost and
environmental impact of shipping large
quantities of paper around the world.
The Cambridge English Centre Print Scan system
Supporting our community
28 – 30
Platinum Centres
Cambridge English Platinum Centres are large, highly active centres which undertake additional
responsibilities for the promotion and support of Cambridge English exams in their regions. They
play a key role in increasing awareness of the exams and act as ambassadors for Cambridge
English. To recognise their contribution, ‘Platinum Centre of the Year’ awards were presented to
five centres in 2013 as part of the celebration of the Cambridge English centenary:
ʺͶ Outstanding Service to Preparation Centres, Exams Catalunya (Spain)
ʺͶ Ambassador of the Year, The Anglo Mexican Foundation (Mexico)
ʺͶ Excellence in Technology, Cambridge English Examinations Winterthur (Switzerland)
ʺͶ Exceptional Business Growth, International House Mexico (Mexico)
ʺͶ Exceptional Business Growth, Tenidiomas (Spain)
Platinum Centre of the Year awards finalists with Cambridge English staff
30 – 31
Preparation centre
competition
Our annual competition for preparation
centres helps strengthen the relationship
between us, our network of authorised
exam centres and the schools and other
organisations that prepare learners to
take our exams.
Nearly 300 entries were received for this
year’s awards. The 12 winning preparation
centres were selected from Argentina,
Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Italy, Malaysia,
Mexico, the Netherlands, Romania, the
Russian Federation, Spain and Uruguay.
Diana Graur from the Shakespeare School in Bucharest,
Romania, receiving her certificate of attendance from
Juliet Wilson at the final dinner of the competition week
Preparation centre competition winners attending a
dinner at Christ’s College, Cambridge
Supporting our community
Institute of Customer Service
Cambridge English Language Assessment is a member of the UK’s Institute of Customer Service
and is working with the Institute on a number of initiatives, including a detailed survey of the
perceptions of staff and customers. The survey found high levels of satisfaction on the part
of customers and high levels of commitment and knowledge on the part of staff, but it also
highlighted opportunities for improvement, which are being addressed as a major priority for the
whole organisation.
Staff in the Network Services group have received specialist training from the Institute of
Customer Service and this training will be rolled out more widely across the organisation.
Staff from the Cambridge English Network Services group with their Institute of Customer Service course certificates
32 – 33
Research and validation
Cambridge English exams have always
reflected state-of-the-art research on
language teaching, learning and assessment.
Since 1989, an active research and validation
programme has been driven by a dedicated
team which now numbers more than 40,
including 20 staff with PhDs.
Cambridge ALTA Institute
new ways of using technology to enhance
language learning, and will develop cuttingedge approaches to assessment which will
benefit learners and teachers worldwide.
It will form part of the University’s
interdisciplinary Language Sciences Initiative.
Sponsorship from Cambridge English will
provide the funding for a team of PhD
students and postdoctoral researchers, and
will focus on a range of topics.
Cambridge Learner
Corpus – 20th anniversary
In recent years, we have developed computerbased tools to support the development and
administration of our tests and examinations.
To take this work forwards, we are providing
funding for a new virtual Institute within
Cambridge University.
Drawing together teams from computing,
engineering, linguistics and language
assessment, the Cambridge University
Institute for Automated Language Teaching
and Assessment (ALTA) will investigate
Sharing expertise
2013 was the 20th anniversary of the
Cambridge Learner Corpus, a unique resource
incorporating more than 50 million words of
learners’ English at all levels and from all over
the world. The Corpus is a joint programme
run by Cambridge English Language
Assessment and Cambridge University Press.
It contains examples of Writing test answers
produced by more than 200,000 candidates
taking Cambridge English exams, with
detailed coding of their errors. This allows
30 – 34
researchers, authors and test developers to explore learners’ English in more detail than ever
before, and enhances the quality of Cambridge English exams and learning materials.
Action Research
For several years, we have worked with English Australia, sponsoring an ‘Action Research’
approach to encourage teachers to carry out their own research projects in the classroom. This has
produced some remarkable projects which contribute to the understanding of effective teaching,
learning and assessment, and giving the teachers involved new professional insights. Results of the
Action Research programme were reported in issue 53 of Research Notes, and it was announced in
November 2013 that a new Action Research programme is being launched in collaboration with
English UK to fund similar research in the UK.
ALP course
Staff in Cambridge English
Language Assessment are
encouraged to gain a high level
of knowledge of the theory and
practice of language assessment
through a structured Assessment
of Language Proficiency (ALP)
course. More than 40 staff from
all areas of the organisation took
part in this five-month course
in 2013.
Assessment of Language Proficiency course leaders and participants
34 – 35
Sharing expertise
As part of a world-leading university,
Cambridge English Language Assessment
shares its expertise, knowledge and
research with academics, teachers and
policy makers to encourage greater
‘assessment literacy’ and promote best
practice in language learning, teaching
and assessment.
Cambridge English
Centenary Conference
As the high point of the Cambridge English
centenary celebrations, a major conference
was held in Cambridge in September.
Bringing together an invited audience of
language specialists and policy makers from
more than 40 countries, the conference
looked at state-of-the-art thinking on
assessing English for work, computational
linguistics and how English is used in
urban contexts. Recent initiatives in Spain,
Italy, Mexico and China, among others,
were reviewed.
Sharing expertise
In his opening speech, Dr Michael Milanovic
said that if he could make one prediction
about the future of Cambridge English, it
would be that the compulsory education
sector will become an increasing focus,
not just for ourselves, but for the language
teaching profession as a whole. He also
praised the vast wealth of knowledge and
experience in the specialist English language
teaching (ELT) sector and how it will help
everyone respond to this growing demand.
This, he explained, will greatly benefit
compulsory education worldwide.
32 – 36
The Cambridge English Centenary Conference, September 2013
36 – 37
Promoting
multilingualism in the
European Union
We held a seminar in the European
Parliament in September, marking the
European Day of Languages. The seminar
included presentations from speakers
of Welsh, Croatian, Sámi, German and
English to consider how their languages and
communities are affected by globalisation
and the global spread of English.
Global Schools
Conference
The second Cambridge English Global
Schools Forum, held in Cambridge in May,
brought together ministries of education
and other experts in language education
who presented case studies of successful
language-learning projects from around
the world. The important role teacher
development plays in supporting language
learning in schools around the world was a
common theme in all the case studies.
This seminar formed part of the continuing
commitment of Cambridge English Language
Assessment to supporting linguistic
diversity and multilingualism.
The Cambridge English
Global Schools Forum 2013:
teacher development and support
23–24 May 2013
Programme
Sharing expertise
34 – 3
38
Pirita Nӓkkӓlӓjӓrvi, Head of Sámi language radio in Finland with Juliet Wilson, Cambridge English Director of Network
Services, taking part in the European Parliament seminar
Delegates at the Cambridge English Global Schools Forum, May 2013
38 – 39
Behind the scenes
Cambridge English has always been
committed to a cycle of continuous
improvement, offering an ever wider range
of services to support language learning,
teaching and assessment, and revising
and updating existing services so that they
meet the changing needs of teachers and
learners worldwide.
The computer-based versions of the
Cambridge English: Young Learners exams
have been trialled in Hong Kong, Mexico and
Spain, and will be made available globally
during 2014.
Faster results
Improvements in our systems allowed times
for lead-in and results delivery to be reduced
once more in 2013. Certificates that once
took several weeks to be released are now
printed five days after the results are issued.
Computer-based tests
for young learners
We have been collaborating with the
Chinese company ATA, which has been
instrumental in helping us develop exams
that have a unique look and feel in new
formats compatible with both PC and
iPad technology.
Behind the scenes
Trialling computer-based Cambridge English: Young
Learners tests in China
Revised exams
We review all our exams periodically to ensure
they continue to meet the needs of test takers and
reflect the latest research. An updated version
of Cambridge English: Proficiency was launched in
March, coinciding with the exam’s 100th anniversary.
The updated exam is shorter, has four papers (Use
of English is now combined in the Reading paper)
and is now available as a computer-based exam.
Specifications for updated versions of Cambridge
English: First, Cambridge English: First for Schools and
Cambridge English: Advanced were finalised this year
for introduction in 2015.
An exam preparation class at Prywatna Szkola
Jezykowa Forum, Poland
Improving test delivery
Now in its second year, our computer-based exam
delivery system, Connect+, continues to make test
administration easier for exam centres. Benefits have
included improved security and better accessibility for
test takers with impaired vision. Future improvements
will include support for Windows 8 and Mac OS, and
enhanced diagnostics for centres.
Together with Cambridge University Press, we are
also introducing Metrica – a flexible test authoring,
delivery and marking system for developing
bespoke assessments.
Students at Lexis English, Sunshine Coast,
Australia, preparing for Cambridge English: First
40
38 – 41
Centenary awards
To mark the centenary of the Cambridge English exams, commemorative medals were presented
to a number of individuals who have played a particularly important role in the success of the
exams over a period of many years.
Recipients:
Jonathan Baum
Diana Fried
Jacky Newbrook
Anthea Bazin
Martin Gilbert
Felicity O’Dell
Sibylle Bolton
Sue Gilbert
John Pidcock
Vanessa Boutefeu
Kathy Gude
James E Purpura
Maria Cristina
Brieba
Roger Hawkey
John Reddaway
Sylvia Holmes
Brown
Simon Smith
Annie Broadhead
Janet Brock
Lori Kaithan
Jorge Suárez
Peter Brown
Peter Kaithan
Davine Sutherland
Veronica Cameron
Nick Kenny
Annette Capel
Gisella Langé
Marie Therese
Swabey
Sylvia Collot
Sandra Laucas
Hannu Takkula MEP
Anne-Marie
Cooper
Liang Yu Min
Lynda Taylor
Ariel López
Gerardo Valazza
Richard Cowley
Lorraine de Matos
Ofelia Veltri
Virginia Cowley
Anthony Matthews
Cyril Weir
Heather Daldry
Clare McDowell
Russell Whitehead
Alan Davies
Susan McGregor
Judith Wilson
Colin Dean
Tim McNamara
Peter Falvey
Beryl E Meiron
Margaret Fowler
Philip Moore
Centenary awards
Mary Spratt
Recipients of the Cambridge English centenary
awards, September 2013
Michael Milanovic
Dr Michael Milanovic retired as Chief
Executive of Cambridge English Language
Assessment at the end of 2013, after more
than 10 years in the post.
the Association of Language Testers in
Europe, the English Profile programme, the
Studies in Language Testing series, IELTS and
many others.
As Chief Executive, Mike led the organisation
through a period of unprecedented growth
and diversification, with a strong focus on the
educational and social benefits of effective
language assessment.
A book of messages presented on his
retirement showed the respect and affection
Mike inspired in colleagues and friends all
over the world.
Mike came to Cambridge in
1989, initially as head of a newly
established research team,
following a career in language
teaching and research and
the completion of a PhD in
language assessment. As well
as leading the organisation since
2003, Mike played a decisive
role in many collaborative
innovations which have now
become cornerstones of
language assessment worldwide,
including the Common European
Framework of Reference,
Mike Milanovic presenting at the Cambridge English Centenary
Conference in September 2013
42 – 43
Photography
Thank you to all the Cambridge English Language Assessment centres, staff and other colleagues
and friends who have appeared in the 2013 Annual Review.
INSIDE COVER IMAGES
PAGE 7
PAGE 21
PRÜFUNGSKOMPETENZZENTRUM
AUGSBURG, GERMANY
GYMNASIUM #105 IN ALMATY,
KAZAKHSTAN
CENTRE OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE,
REPUBLIC OF KARELIA, RUSSIA
PAGE 9
SRI GURU HARKRISHAN MODEL SENIOR
SECONDARY SCHOOL CHANDIGARH,
INDIA
THE OXFORD ENGLISH ACADEMY,
VIETNAM
WELLSPRING INTERNATIONAL BILINGUAL
SCHOOL, VIETNAM
INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS &
TECHNOLOGY, SRI LANKA
INSTITUTE OF ONLINE EDUCATION,
BEIJING, CHINA
PAGE 10
PRESENCIA
PAGE 12
CITY COLLEGE PETERBOROUGH, UK
PAGE 22
WELLSPRING INTERNATIONAL BILINGUAL
SCHOOL, VIETNAM
PAGE 23
MALAYAN EDUCATION SDN. BHD.,
MALAYSIA
PAGE 24
SKILLS FOR LIFE (PVT) LTD, SRI LANKA
PAGE 13
INSTITUTE OF ONLINE EDUCATION,
BEIJING, CHINA
CENTRE OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE,
REPUBLIC OF KARELIA, RUSSIA
PAGE 41
GULF COLLEGE, OMAN
PAGE 14
PRYWATNA SZKOLA JEZYKOWA FORUM,
POLAND
CAMBRIDGE EXAMINATIONS CENTRE
ZÜRICH, WINTERTHUR, SWITZERLAND
EUFRAT GROUP SRO, CZECH REPUBLIC
EUFRAT GROUP SRO, CZECH REPUBLIC
COLEGIO EDINBURGH, MEXICO
PAGE 15
SCHOOL Nº 15, EL TALAR, BUENOS AIRES
PROVINCE, ARGENTINA
PAGES 16–17
COLEGIO AMERICANO DE TABASCO,
MEXICO
PAGE 18
INSTITUTO CULTURAL ANGLOURUGUAYO, URUGUAY
PAGE 19
GIMNASIO LOS PINOS, COLOMBIA
Global
Network
Photography
GULF COLLEGE, OMAN
LEXIS ENGLISH, SUNSHINE COAST,
AUSTRALIA
400+ STAFF
WORLDWIDE
2,800 AUTHORISED
EXAMINATION CENTRES
40,000 REGISTERED
PREPARATION CENTRES
TENS OF THOUSANDS
OF EXAMINERS,
TEACHERS AND
PUBLISHERS
Contact us
Cambridge English
Language Assessment
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Cambridge
CB1 2EU
United Kingdom
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Cambridge English Language Assessment is part of the University of Cambridge. We develop and
produce the most valuable range of qualifications for learners and teachers of English in the world.
Over 4 million people take Cambridge English exams each year in more than 130 countries. Around
the world over 15,000 universities, employers, government ministries and other organisations rely
on our exams and qualifications as proof of English language ability. Cambridge English exams are
backed by the work of the largest dedicated research team of any English language test provider.
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