What is Cambridge English: Young Learners?
Cambridge English: Young Learners is a series of fun and engaging activity-based English language tests. They introduce primary and lower-secondary level students to everyday written and spoken English, and are an excellent way to gain confidence and improve their English.
With Cambridge English: Young Learners, teachers can motivate their students to learn English, and parents can see the progress and achievements made.
Who are young learners exam for and why should I take it?
The tests are created for children and use topics they are familiar with. All of the exams cover the four language skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Students are encouraged to move through the three levels: Starters, Movers and Flyers.
- Cambridge English: Starters (YLE Starters) is the first of three Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) tests for children (Pre-level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
- Cambridge English: Movers (YLE Movers) is the second of three Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) tests for children (Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
- Cambridge English: Flyers (YLE Flyers) is the third of three Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) tests for children (Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Cambridge English: Young Learners tests introduce children to everyday written and spoken English and are an excellent way for them to gain confidence and improve their English. The tests are written around familiar topics and focus on the skills needed to communicate effectively in English through listening, speaking, reading and writing.
What is the format of the exam?
| YLE Starters | YLE Movers | YLE Flyers | |
| Listening | 20 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Reading and Writing | 20 minutes | 30 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Speaking | 3 – 5 minutes | 5 – 7 minutes | 7 – 9 minutes |
Your result
There is no pass or fail. All children receive an award which shows how many shields they have received. The maximum score is five shields for each part of the test.
A result of one shield means a child can improve a lot in that skill. Five shields mean that a child did very well in that skill and answered most questions correctly.
Children should be ready to start preparing for the next Cambridge English exam if they achieve a total of 10 or 11 shields, or above.