CUP Club - Ecuador

Exciting projects designed to help teachers

English Profile is a collaborative project between Cambridge University, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge University ESOL Examinations, University of Bedfordshire, English UK and the British Council. The aim of the project is to create level descriptors, otherwise known as “Can do statements”, which are sets of statements based on what learners of languages should be competent at doing in all skills areas. These level descriptors are designed to help both learners and teachers worldwide assess what level they themselves have or their students have on an international scale:  levels become less abstract, more concrete and internationally comparable.

What is the English Vocabulary Profile?

The EVP shows, in both British and American English, which words and phrases learners around the world know at each level of the CEFR. Rather than providing a syllabus of the vocabulary that learners should know, the EVP project verifies what they do know at each level. CEFR levels are assigned not just to the words themselves, but to each individual meaning of these words. So, for instance, the word degree is assigned level A2 for the sense TEMPERATURE, B1 for QUALIFICATION and B2 for AMOUNT.

The search engine tool allows teachers to search for comprehensive lists of what learners know in terms of vocabulary, lexical groups and expressions at any given level or at a specified range. An easy to use tool for information  at a glance

I was interested to see what a student studying British English for the FCE would know, so I took a look at an entry for the word desperately on the B2 EVP.

entry:desperately (click to see the entry!)

Word of the week: light

light /laɪt/

The word light is an adjective, a noun, and a verb, and both the adjective and the noun appear to be known at the A levels. The first meaning to be listed at A1 is for the adjective: PALE, in connection with colour, as in light blue. In the entry below, the learner example given is at A2, but evidence has been found in beginner level course books and other materials that this meaning is taught earlier, so it has been included at A1. One meaning of the verb is listed at B1: START FLAMES, and at B2, there is the further meaning MAKE BRIGHT, as in Fireworks lit up the sky. As you can see in the dictionary example, up appears in bold in the entry, showing that it commonly collocates with the verb in this sense. Further phrases will be included for the noun at the C levels, including in the light of (US: in light of) and come to light.

Word of the week: go

Although mainly used as a verb, the word go also exists as a noun and two uses are included up to B2 level: OPPORTUNITY at B1 and ATTEMPT at B2. Both meanings show the common phrase have a go, as in Can I have a go on your bike? The B2 meaning is slightly different and though no learner evidence has been found for it in the Cambridge Learner Corpus, it has been included here. The lack of written evidence is probably because this use is predominantly spoken, as the dictionary example shows. There are 55 matches when you search for the word go in the English Vocabulary Profile and these include a number of phrases and phrasal verbs. The three meanings at A1 include the phrase go shopping, which is known at a very early stage of learning!

Search the preview version of the EVP: http://vocabularypreview.englishprofile.org/staticfiles/about.html

Cambridge English: Together Striving for New Heights

Cambridge English is an exciting new project that forms part of a collaboration between Cambridge University ESOL examinations and Cambridge University Press.

What we aim to provide

The project aims at increasing the level of EFL in Ecuador and worldwide. National projects to raise the level of English competence are being developed around the world as we all strive to work towards and alongside international guidelines as set out in the CEFR, (Common European Framework of References for Languages). Projects such as those in neighbouring countries aim to have all secondary school students graduating with a minimum level of a B1, and those working in industries where English is a requirement also working at the same level or higher.

Closer to home

Our government here is also making changes to raise the national level of competence. For example, all Quito taxi-drivers are required now to have a certain level of English due to the increase in the number of tourists visiting the capital, and indeed the rest of the country. Having spoken to many, the general feeling is positive. The government is providing the training and the taxi drivers , on the whole, are rising to the challenge with the understanding that being able to communicate even at a very basic level in English  is necessary as a large number of tourists passing through Ecuador fail to speak Spanish.

The future work force

It is clear as the number of non-native speakers of English increases dramatically every year, that English is no longer just a good idea, but a necessity if we are to ‘produce’ strong contenders for today’s competitive and cut-throat business world. Projects such as these are designed to help our students reach high, internationally-comparable levels of competency, giving them the best possible opportunities in both further education and employment.

Who can participate?

So we are currently looking for universities and schools to participate in this exciting new venture together with us, Cambridge University Press and Cambridge ESOL, (EF Quito) bringing international standards of education and future opportunities to local communities here in Ecuador. Participating institutions are required to serve as authorized ESOL examination preparation centres for the local community, using Cambridge University Press General English and Exam resources in order to prepare students for their final international certification and must be able to guarantee a given number of exam candidates over a specified period of time.

So what exactly does Cambridge English for Schools offer participating institutions?

1. Prestige and competitive advantage

• The institute will be known as the local Cambridge University ESOL Preparation Centre: students from the local area will take their exam at the institution.

• The institution will have permission to use the Cambridge University official logo on publicity.
• The level of English at the institute itself will rise due to the level of academic support, and access to pedagogical resources.

1. Unrivalled academic support from the world’s number 1 university

• Access to a wide range of academic support and pedagogical resources which will have a positive impact on the institute’s teaching staff, graduates and programme in general.
• A programme designed to take students from pre-school through to graduation based on the specific needs of the school and students.
• Support in student assessment, curriculum design and implementation.
• On-site professional evaluation and training.

How to become a Cambridge English School

So how would you like to participate in this exciting project to raise not only the national level of English, but also the reputation of your educational institute by joining the ranks of the world’s most recognizable and prestigious ESOL exam preparation centres in the world?

It’s easy! Just follow these steps:

1. Contact your nearest CUP or ESOL representative who will in turn assess your academic needs, arrange for both students and teaching staff evaluations, and design an academic programme best suited to the institution’s needs.
2. Sign a contract for a pre-specified amount of time agreeing to follow the programme designed using CUP materials and resources in preparation for students to take an ESOL exam on graduation, if not before.
3. With the support and training from your CUP/ESOL consultants, implement the programme, provide learners with the exam preparation required and carry out regular assessment.

Using Cambridge ESOL Examinations as Benchmarks to Success

Opening up a world of opportunities

A certificate from Cambridge ESOL tells people a great deal about you and what you can do. It is recognised as proof of your language abilities by more than 12,000 employers, universities and government bodies around the world.

Benchmarks of competency and progress

Cambridge University ESOL Examinations act as concrete benchmarks of what a person can do at a given level. Employers and universities worldwide use these as measurements of competency in all four language skills; reading, writing, listening and speaking, thus guaranteeing a person’s ability to perform an everyday task in an English-speaking environment, (i.e. attend a lecture or a business meeting).

Students themselves also benefit from attaining these exams as they too can use the exams to monitor their own progress as they tick off what they can do at each level. Progress becomes measurable and clear. This in itself leads to better motivation which of course in turn results in better progress and results.

Life-long benefits

The benefits of attaining these exams range from entrance to the world’s most prestigious universities and colleges to possible employment for large international corporations and enterprises.

These exams serve as benchmarks of personal growth and professional development: whether it’s a Young Learner’s Flyers Exam being taken by a 10 year old or a CELTA qualification by an English teacher with 30 years experience, these exams provide solid points of reference and set down future goals for the learner. They clearly mark progress, which in turn help us all to become better learners and professionals striving to advance and achieve in today’s tough global employment market.