CAE- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English
CAE
The Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English is an examination that tests a candidate’s English abilities for work or study purposes. There are many benefits to taking the CAE including its wide recognition by businesses and academia, convenience of location (it is available across 127 countries), and its availability (exams are generally held twice a year). A preparation CAE course will equip candidates with valuable language skills at a Level C1 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Furthermore, it is valid for life and gives you confidence to use English in actual situations.
Is CAE the right test for you?
The CAE is for those who can - in English- read quickly enough to succeed in an academic course, understand complex opinions, produce clear and well-structured pieces of text, use English flexibly in social situations and effectively in business situations. As the name of the Certificate implies the test is aimed at those with an advanced grasp of the English language in all its forms - speaking, writing, reading and listening.
CAE test format
In contrast to other test papers such as TOEFL and the IELTS, the CAE paper has five components. The first section deals with reading skills (1.25 hrs) which requires the applicant to understand a wide range of texts include fiction and non-fiction books, journals, magazines and newspapers. The second section tests the applicant’s writing abilities (1.5hrs) through producing 2 pieces of writing in different formats (such as a report, essay, article, proposal, etc). This is followed by a component that tests the applicant’s use of English grammar and vocabulary through a serires of different tasks. Then there is the listening component (40 minutes) that tests understanding across different verbal texts (eg lectures, radio broadcasts, conversations, and speeches). Finally there is a 15 minute speaking exam which you undertake with another candidate to test your skills in different types of interaction.
IELTS
IELTS- International English Language Testing System
The International English Language Testing System is a test to prove your English language skills across reading, writing, listening and speaking components. It comes in two versions- the Academic version and the General Training version. The Academic test is for entry into tertiary study at English-speaking colleges and universities. The General Training test is a more basic test for both study or day-to-day English speaking, including attending an English-speaking secondary school, work experience, training programs, or if you simply want to move to an English-speaking country.
The IELTS is useful as English is the third most spoken language in the world, and covers countries such as Australia, USA, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, Canada, India, and the UK.
Information for sitting the IELTS
The IELTS is recognised by over 6000 institutions across 120 countries as a trusted and valid indicator of the ability to communicate and comprehend English orally and in written form. To sit the IELTS you should first find out which version of the test you need to take (depending on the requirements of the institution you are applying to) - whether the Academic or the General Training. You should also familiarise yourself with the test components: 30 minutes Listening, 60 minutes Reading, 60 minutes Writing and 14 minutes speaking. It is important to note that the speaking component can be on the same day, or alternatively 7 days before or after the other test components. There are sample tests available to inform yourself of the format and types of questions, as well as to practice your answers.
The fees for both the Academic and the General Training tests are the same. You must bring identification on the testing day, such as a passport or identity card (depending on which you used in your application). The test uses a variety of English accents so no one is disadvantaged- this could include an American, Australian or British accent.
ESL and EFL
What is ESL and EFL?
ESL stands for ‘English as a Second Language’ and EFL stands for ‘English as a Foreign Language’. These terms refer to the study of English by non-native speakers. ESL is primarily used in regard to teaching students English who are already in an English-speaking country, and need to learn the language to help pass exams, get a job or to advance their career. By contrast, EFL is generally used in reference to teaching English in a non-English speaking country in order to travel to an English-speaking country or simply to be able to work in their own country. For those intending to stay in their native country, English is often picked up as a skill to improve job prospects in multinational corporations or to assist in liaising with English speakers overseas. This is particularly relevant due to the global nature of commerce today and the widespread use of English as the ‘lingua franca’ or common language. The significance of the English language can be seen in its widespread use as 75 countries have English as their official language.
These two branches have developed into quite distinct divisions, requiring different training qualifications, using different teaching methodologies, emphasising different aspects of language learning (e.g. business terminology vs academic English or everyday English), and forming separate professional associations. English study as ESL or EFL can be undertaken at all levels of education- primary, secondary, tertiary and adult education.
Learning English
Learning a language isn’t always easy. It requires determination and focus, especially as language is a skill that develops slowly over time. Not only are the parameters of the English language enormous- with at least a quarter of a million distinct words (excluding jargon and regional variations)- but there are various aspects to language learning as well. These include speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, each with their own difficulties such as grammar rules, spelling rules, and pronunciation and inflection norms.