English for adults

Preparation for external independent testing

International English Examinations are tests which help to define and confirm the level of language knowledge. Cambridge University Exams (Cambridge ESOL exams) are one of the most popular exams in the modern world. They test the general knowledge and language skills on four aspects: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The certificates of pass of such exams will help you to find employment in foreign companies and provide an opportunity to study or work abroad.

Oxford Klass offers training programmes for all the most popular and acknowledged English exams in the world. In this chapter you will find all necessary and interesting information on what the knowledge levels are, how they differ, what international exams there are and how they can be distinguished. You will be able to see the full list of the most popular international exams and choose the one most necessary for you to pass.

And our training programmes will help you to prepare for the passing of any of the given exams.

 

Exam name Necessary level Organizer Main contents of the exam Results Recognized by Validity
FCE — The Cambridge First Certificate in English B2Intermediate Cambridge University, ESOL Department (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Reading, Writing,
Practical English (grammar and vocabulary use),
Listening,
Oral practice		 A,B,C — сдан
F,D — не сдан
*Прим.В данном сертификате существует 2 типа сертификатов — Pass, Pass with merit		 European colleges and universities when enrolling, foreign companies when applying for a job in Ukraine and abroad. Termless
CAE — The Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English C2Advanced Cambridge University, ESOL Department (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Reading, Writing, Practical English (grammar and vocabulary use),
Listening,
Oral practice		 A,B,C — сдан
F,D — не сдан
*Прим.В данном сертификате существует 2 типа сертификатов — Pass, Pass with merit		 European colleges and universities when enrolling, foreign companies when applying for a job in Ukraine and abroad. Termless
IELTS — The International English Language Testing System    Cambridge University, ESOL Department (English for Speakers of Other Languages),  IELTS Australia Reading,
Writing,
Listening,
Speaking		 Employment and emigration – at least 5 points
University entrance – at least 7 points		 British, Australian and Canadian schools –when enrolling,
Foreign companies when applying for a job abroad and during emigration.		 Termless
General Module B1Intermediate Employment, emigration, secondary education completion        
Academic Module  B2-C1Upper-IntermediateAdvanced Universities,
Postgraduate education		        
TOEFL — Test of English as a Foreign Language C1Advanced American Testing Service in ETS (Educational Testing Service) educational field,
Princeton University, USA		 Listening,
Grammar,
Reading,
Writing
________________________________________
Note: computer variant of the exam pass		 Maximum points – 300.
Passing points – 213.
Composition is estimated on 6 to 0 scale.		 Universities and colleges of the USA, Canada and other countries when enrolling,
and foreign companies when applying for a job, when enrolling the MBA		  

Business English

Exam name Necessary level Organizer Main contents of the exam Results Recognized by Validity
BEC — Business English Certificate B1-C2 Intermediate-Advanced Cambridge University, ESOL Department (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Listening,
Speaking,
Reading,
Writing		 A,B,C — passed,
F,D — not passed
________________________________________
Note: There are 2 certificate types in this certificate — Pass, Pass with merit		 Is an international business communication standard. Termless
BEC Preliminary B1-Intermediate        
BEC Vantage B2-Upper-Intermediate        
BEC Higher C1-Advanced        

Exam for children

Exam name Necessary level Organizer Main contents of the exam Results Recognized by Validity
YLE Tests (Cambridge Young Learners English Tests) For 7-12 years old children Cambridge University, ESOL Department (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Listening,
Speaking,
Reading,
Writing		 The exam is estimated on 5 points scale. The exam confirms the child’s success in the English study Termless
First stage
(Starters)		   The certificate is received by each child who passed the exam. Confirms the match of the language knowledge to the International European Standards of language proficiency.  
Second stage (Movers)          
Third stage
(Flyers)
        

Teachers’ Exam

Exam name Necessary level Organizer Main contents of the exam Results Recognized by Validity
The Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) At least equal to B1-Intermediate Cambridge University, ESOL Department (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Three main modules:
1. Language system and the theory of language proficiency and language teaching.
2. Lesson planning and the use of supplementary aids, resources and materials.
3. Holding and course of the lesson.
  1.  
 Шкала от 1 до 4-х. Сертификат получает каждый преподаватель, сдававший экзамен. For beginners and experienced teachers. Termless

*“Oxford Klass” provides training programmes for all the exams mentioned above.

Examination Scale Levels CEF Levels ALTE
------ A1 ,Breakthrough Beginner
------- A2 ,Waystage Elementary - Early Pre-Intermediate
KET,PET,BEC1 B1 ,Threshold Pre-Intermediate-Mid Intermediate
FCE, BEC2, IELTS B2 ,Vantage Upper-Intermediate
CAE,BEC3,IELTS,TOEFL C1,Proficiency Pre-Advanced
  C2, Mastery Advanced

Levels

Oral skills

Reading

Writing
A1 — Breakthrough /Survival level/ (ALTE levels from Beginner to Elementary) The ability to understand and duly (mainly by actions and short remarks) react on the main instructions and enquiries related to personal information, everyday actions and preferences, and also form the simplest of needs. The skills of making contact or breaking it off in communication and giving an account of your own actions in the present, past and nearest future The skill of understanding the main phrases which you can see within the described communicative situations. The skills of filling in simple forms and writing short texts using dates, times and names
А2 — Waystage /Elementary level/ (ALTE Pre-Intermediate level) The skill of understanding simple texts within the learned topics.
The skills of understanding of simple texts within the learned topics.
The skills of filling in forms and writing short simple letters related to personal information.
В1 — Threshold level/ (ALTE Intermediate level)

The skills of expressing opinions on abstract and cultural topics within certain boundaries, catching the nuances and shades of the opinions of others within the learned topics, understanding  instructions and public performances.

 The skills of understanding and catching the main idea of the text. The skills of writing letters and making notes on familiar and predictable topics.
В2 — Vantage /Independent user level/ (ALTE Upper-Intermediate level)

The skill of understanding and keeping up the conversation on numerous familiar topics, both personal and professional. The skills of proving and defending your point of view.

 The skills of finding the important information in the text during quick reading and understanding detailed instructions. The skills of making notes right after the speaker and the writing of letters, including non-standard requests and making detailed reports.
C1 — Effective Operational Proficiency /Professional level/ (ALTE Advanced level).

The skills of giving a continuous and fluent talk on a topic using a wide variety of complex sentences.

 The skill of quick reading on an academic level, understanding the stylistic peculiarities of texts, and of understanding special articles and large, technical, unfamiliar instructions. The skill of expressing thoughts in written form in a broad sense, and professional situations which require a quick and professional reaction. The skills of using various language styles.
C2 — Mastery /Perfect level/ (ALTE Proficiency level)

The skill of talking on difficult and controversial topics in unfamiliar surroundings during direct and indirect contact, the skills of expressing and distinguishing any language nuances.

 The skill of understanding all types of texts including those with a difficult composition, abstract texts, instructions, special literature and fiction, the skills of selecting the necessary information quickly and precisely. The skills of making full and precise notes right after the speaker, logical and consistent expression of your thoughts in written form, using at the same time the necessary language means. The skills of writing composite sentences, reports, discourses or articles with a distinct logical structure, writing CVs and reviews, both for works of a professional type and fiction.