I was travelling from Cluj to Timisoara in Romania recently, doing workshops with local teachers. One workshop was on the upcoming changes to the revised Cambridge English: First and Cambridge English: Advanced Exams, which apply from January 2015. Cambridge English Exams are quite popular in Romania and have been accepted as proof of language level for both school-leaving and university entry requirements. Most Romanian candidates take either Advanced or First at the end of secondary school, but some even take – and pass — Cambridge English: Proficiency.
With the teachers, we were first looking at what I see as the three major changes to the exams, and then at ways to prepare candidates for those changes, using examples from the revised editions of Complete First and Advanced. We finished off by discussing the ‘challenges’ involved, and some possible solutions.
1. The Reading and Use of English Papers have been combined into one Paper which now tests reading, grammar and vocabulary. As a result, the length of each exam has been shortened, by about 30 minutes for First and 45 minutes for Advanced.
Challenge:
Teachers felt that their candidates might find it challenging to concentrate during the full length of this part of the exam.
Solution:
Practice tests and mock exams will help get your students used to concentrating for the full length of the exam. And when the real exam comes along, they can add to that experience what my university psychology teacher advised before exams: ‘Focus and use the best and most natural drug in the world—your adrenaline!’
2. Part 1 of the Writing paper now includes an obligatory longer essay (140-190 words for First and 220-260 words for Advanced), with a more academic focus.
Challenge:
Formal writing in general, especially planning, paragraphing, and using appropriate register and style.
Solution:
Again, the teachers felt that practice would be necessary and also having learners share, pool and discuss their ideas and reflect on the feedback given both by their teachers and peers.
3. Part 3 of the Speaking Paper will no longer include picture stimuli but rather written prompts in the form of ‘mind maps’ for candidates to use during their collaborative, problem-solving task. (See the example below, taken from Complete Advanced.)
Challenge: Teachers felt that most of their students simply ‘lack ideas’, and often the key skills of spoken interaction too, such as reflective listening, turn-taking, and keeping the conversation going.
Solution: Pair work practice and listening to examples on the audio CDs accompanying Complete and watching videos of candidates on the Cambridge English website.
So ‘practise, practise, practise,’ the Romanian teachers agreed, including mock tests or ‘simulations’, simulare in Romanian.
Click the links for a complete explanation of the changes to revised Cambridge English: First and Advanced.
