Young learners

Cambridge English: Pre A1 Starters is the first of three Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) exams for children between the ages of four and twelve. This qualifications will encourage your child to learn English from an early age and create a positive attitude to language qualifications.

Who should take this qualification?

Children who take the qualification are usually between the ages of four* and six, and are studying Kindergarten 2 to Primary 1 in Hong Kong.

In the qualification your child will need to:

• recognise colours in English
• answer very simple questions about themselves
• write short one-word answers to basic questions.

What happens when my child takes this qualification?

There is no pass or fail for the qualification. Your child can get a maximum of five shields for each part of the qualification. The number of shields they are awarded for each part will be shown on their certificate. They will receive the certificate about six to eight weeks after taking the qualification.

 *Young learners who wish to take the qualification at age 4 are accepted for qualifications to be held from 1 July 2015 onwards.

Cambridge English: A1 Movers is the second of three Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) qualifications for children between the ages of four and twelve. This qualification will encourage your child to communicate in real-life situations in English and create a positive attitude to language qualifications.

Qualification sessions for computer-based: Movers are also available. The qualification format is the same as the paper-based qualification which includes a listening test, a reading and writing test and a speaking test. A microphone and headset will be used to record your child's speaking tests on the computers. They may use the mouse or onscreen virtual keyboard to answer questions for the listening, reading and writing tests. Registration ends one week before the qualification date so it gives you and your child much more flexibility when choosing your preferred qualification dates.

Level of qualification: Beginner = A1 on the Common European Framework

Who should take this qualification?

Children who take the qualification are usually between the ages of six and eight, and are studying Primary 1 to Primary 3 in Hong Kong.

In the qualification your child will need to:

• understand basic instructions in English
• fill out a simple form or respond to questions about themselves
• answer questions and write down simple facts (such as days of the week, times or names) they hear or read in a children’s story.

What happens when my child takes this qualification?

There is no pass or fail for the qualification. Your child can get a maximum of five shields for each part of the qualification. The number of shields they are awarded for each part will be shown on their certificate. They will receive the certificate about six to eight weeks (paper-based version) after taking the qualification.

Cambridge English: A2 Flyers is the highest of three Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) qualifications for children between the ages of four and twelve. This qualification shows that your child can understand simple English in everyday situations and can communicate in basic English.

Qualification sessions for computer-based: A2 Flyers are also available. The qualification format is the same as the paper-based qualification which includes a listening test, a reading and writing test and a speaking test. A microphone and headset will be used to record your child's speaking tests on the computers. They may use the mouse or onscreen virtual keyboard to answer questions for the listening, reading and writing tests. Registration ends one week before the qualification date so it gives you and your child much more flexibility when choosing your preferred qualification dates.

Level of qualification: Elementary = A2 on the Common European Framework

Who should take this qualification?

Children who take the qualification are usually between the ages of eight and twelve, and are studying Primary 3 to Primary 6 in Hong Kong.

In the qualification your child will need to:

• explain the differences between two stories or pictures
• write or tell a short story in English
• ask questions and use the past tense.

The Cambridge English: A2 Flyers qualification is equivalent to the Cambridge English: Key for Schools (A2 KETfS).

What happens when my child takes this qualification?

There is no pass or fail for the qualification. Your child can get a maximum of five shields for each part of the qualification. The number of shields they are awarded for each part will be shown on their certificate. They will receive their certificate about six to eight weeks (paper-based version) after taking the qualification.