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Children´s Oral is designed to assess the level of Spoken English of children from as young as 4 to about 12. Recognising the way that young children learn, they concentrate on recognition and reception, only gradually introducing active production. Assessment at this level is based upon successful interactions between the candidates and the interlocutors.
Children do not generally have control over their own lives. The main reasons they take examinations in English may not be their own at all: their parents may want to know how they are getting on or their teachers may want to check their progress to know which class they should be in. These are valid reasons but at Anglia we believe that the most important reason of all is to encourage and motivate the child. If a child learns a language for many years and then only when they are about 15 or 16 has an examination, this may be too late to convince them of their natural ability. If, however, at every small step of the way a child learns a little, is tested on that, and then receives a certificate and well-deserved praise for their achievement they will never, at whatever stage they leave the education system, come away with nothing. They may also realise, young enough, what a good speaker of English they could become and go on to take it to academic and professional standards.
There is a very high pass rate in our young learner levels. There are a number of reasons for this:
- our syllabus is very clear: the children know what they should know at each level
- the tests are very straightforward ; there are no nasty surprises, tricky puzzles or vague exercises
- teachers are encouraged only to enter children who they feel have a very good chance of passing; the taking of an examination at this age must be a positive experience
- young learners want that certificate, enjoy taking the examinations and do their best!
It is possible not to pass our young learner examinations; at Anglia we feel that that possibility should be there to ensure the real value of the achievement of those who do pass. Children who do not reach the required level are 'referred'. Of course they may take the examination again if they want to or move onto the next level anyway if they or their teacher feels this is the best thing to do. We would like to emphasise that the referral rate is low, however and that is exactly how we want it: with excited, happy, motivated children who have their confidence boosted by the whole experience.
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