Cambridge English: Young Learners, also known as Young Learners English Tests (YLE), give a consistent measure of how well 7–12 year–olds are doing in the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Tests are designed to make learning fun and children are encouraged by working towards certificates and earning ‘shields’ that record their progress.
Making learning English fun
Learning English and gaining the right qualification can give your child a head start in life, leading to improved employment opportunities and opening the door to studying and working abroad.
Children who learn English when they are young have an advantage that will stay with them all their life. The sooner they start learning, the better – with the right methods, they can learn English quickly, effectively and enjoyably. Even the most basic certificate is a start on the pathway to qualifications that are useful for work and study.
Making learning a new language enjoyable is an important part of encouraging progress and building confidence. Cambridge English: Young Learners encourages younger children to work towards three certificates, Starters, Movers and Flyers. By using engaging materials, children build real language skills that develop into a good grasp of English.
Download Cambridge English: Young Learners leaflet for schools (PDF 588Kb)
Give your child a head start in EnglishCambridge English: Starters, also known as Young Learners English (YLE): Starters, is the first of three Cambridge English: Young Learners tests specifically designed for school children aged between 7 and 12. Cambridge English: Starters sets your child off on their language learning adventure, introducing them to everyday written and spoken English in a fun and motivating way.
The test is designed to be fun and motivating to give your child the confidence to show what they can do in English. It leads naturally to the next level of the test, Cambridge English: Movers, encouraging your child to make progress and develop their learning.
Relevant for your childThe Cambridge English: Young Learners tests are specially tailored to suit the interests of schoolchildren, so they increase their motivation to learn English. Because the tests are based on familiar topics and situations, they give your child the confidence to use their English and inspire them to do well.
Fun and stimulatingAt Cambridge English, we believe that learning should not be stressful for children. By enjoying their studies, reading, listening and speaking in English come naturally. As their confidence develops, they will want to learn more and use English to a more challenging level.
FairCambridge English exams cover all major varieties of English and are designed to be fair to users of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds.
A Cambridge English certificate
For children to take full advantage of the opportunities that tomorrow's world of work will offer, knowledge of English is an important asset. It is, therefore, best for your child to work towards certificates that are accepted by thousands of educational organisations and employers throughout the world.
Starters - Exam format and sample papers
| Paper | Content | Marks (% of total) | |
 | Listening (About 20 minutes) | 4 parts/20 questions | A maximum of 5 shields |
 | Reading & Writing (About 20 minutes) | 5 parts/25 questions | A maximum of 5 shields |
 | Speaking (3-5 minutes) | 5 parts | A maximum of 5 shields |
| Check the Cambridge English: Pre A1 Starters test format | |||
 Listening: About 20 minutesThe Cambridge English: Starters Listening test has four parts. Each part begins with one or two examples. Your child will hear each recording twice. For the Listening test, your child must remember to take coloured pencils or pens (red,  blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, black, brown and grey) and an ordinary pen or pencil. The spelling and vocabulary on the printed test papers is British English. However, your child will also hear American accents in the Listening tests and also some American English vocabulary. British or American spelling is accepted for the written answers.Download the Listening sample papers |
| Reading & Writing: about 30 minutes The Cambridge English: Starters Listening test has five parts. Each part begins with one or two examples. For all the parts of the Reading & Writing test, your child must spell their answers correctly. For the Reading & Writing test,  your child only needs a pen or pencil. The
spelling and vocabulary on the printed test papers is British English. However,
British or American English is accepted for the written answers.Download the Reading & Writing sample papers |
Speaking: 3-5 minutes per candidate The Cambridge English: Starters Speaking Test has five
parts. Your child takes the test alone with the examiner, but someone who speaks
your child's language (maybe someone your child knows, like your child's
teacher) will introduce your child to the examiner.Download Examiner's comments on a Speaking test |
Cambridge English: Starters – Information for candidates,
schools ans parents
A handy guide to the exam, with an overview of what’s involved and examples of papers.
Cambridge English: Young Learners Information for Families and Candidates
Cambridge English: Young Learners brief guide for schools
Cambridge English: Young Learners brief guide for parents
Cambridge English: Starters Word List Picture Book
You can use this book to help children get better at English and learn new words. It has many of the words children have to learn for the Cambridge English: Starters test.
Cambridge English: Starters Word List Picture Book
Results
 | There is no pass or fail. All children receive an award which shows how many shields they have received. The maximum score is five shields for each part of the test.
A Cambridge English: Starters award is a great way to:
|
| A result of one shield means a child can improve a lot in that skill.
Five shields mean that a child did very well in that skill and answered
most questions correctly. Children should be ready to start preparing for the next Cambridge English exam – Cambridge English: Movers – if they achieve a total of 10 or 11 shields, or above. | |
Give your child a head start in EnglishCambridge English: Movers, also known as Young Learners English (YLE): Movers, is the second of three tests specifically designed for schoolchildren aged between 7 and 12. Cambridge English: Movers shows a child is beginning to deal with everyday written and spoken English at a very basic level.
This motivating test will develop your child’s confidence so they will want to learn more and use English to a more challenging level.
Real life language skillsWhen children learn English, it is important that they learn English which is practical and useful. It is important that they learn to speak good English and that they work towards international standards that will prepare them for study abroad or the international world of work.
Cambridge English: Movers is set at Level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). At this level, you can expect your child to:
- understand basic instructions or take part in a basic factual conversation on a predictable topic
- understand basic notices, instructions or information
- complete basic forms, and write notes including times, dates and places.
Relevant for your child
The Cambridge English: Young Learners tests are specially tailored to suit the interests of school children, so they increase their motivation to learn English. Because the tests are based on familiar topics and situations, they give your child the confidence to use their English and inspire them to do well.Fun and stimulatingAt Cambridge English, we believe that learning should not be stressful for children. By enjoying their studies, reading, listening and speaking in English come naturally. As their confidence develops, they will want to learn more and use English to a more challenging level.
FairCambridge English exams cover all major varieties of English and are designed to be fair to users of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds.
SupportA wealth of materials is available to help you and your child prepare for the tests.
A Cambridge English certificate
For children to take full advantage of the opportunities that tomorrow's world of work will offer, knowledge of English is an important asset. It is, therefore, best for your child to work towards certificates that are accepted by thousands of educational organisations and employers throughout the world.
Movers - Format de l'examen i test de prova
| Paper | Content | Marks (% of total) | |
| Listening (About 25 minutes) | 5 parts/25 questions | A maximum of 5 shields |
| Reading & Writing (About de 30 minutes) | 6 parts/40 questions | A maximum of 5 shields |
| Speaking (5-7 minutes) | 4 parts | A maximum of 5 shields |
| Check the Cambridge English: A1 Movers test format | |||
 Listening: About 25 minutesThe Cambridge English: Movers Listening test has four parts. Each part begins with one or two examples. Your child will hear each recording twice. For the Listening test, your child must remember to take coloured pencils or pens (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, black, brown and grey) and an ordinary pen or pencil. The spelling and vocabulary on the printed test papers is British English. However, your child will also hear American accents in the Listening tests and also some American English vocabulary. British or American spelling is accepted for the written answers.Download the Movers sample paper |
| Reading & Writing: 30 minutes The Cambridge English: Movers Listening testhas six parts. Each part begins with one or two examples. For all the parts of the Reading & Writing test, candidates must spell their answers correctly. For the Reading & Writing test, your child only needs a pen or pencil. The spelling and vocabulary on the printed test papers is British English. However, British or American English is accepted for the written answers.Download the Movers sample paper |
| Speaking: 5-7 minutes per candidateThe Cambridge English: MoversSpeaking Test has four parts. Candidates take the test alone with the examiner, but someone who speaks your child's language (maybe someone your child knows, like your child's teacher) will introduce your child to the examiner. Download Examiner's comments on a Speaking test |
Cambridge English: Movers - Information for candidates,
schools and parents
A handy guide to the exam, with an overview of what’s involved and examples of papers.
Cambridge English: Movers Information for Candidates (in English)
Cambridge English: Young Learners brief guide for schools (in English)
Cambridge English: Young Learners brief guide for parents (in English)
Cambridge English: Movers Word List Picture Book
You can use this book to help children get better at English and learn new words. It has many of the words children have to learn for the Cambridge English: Movers test.
Cambridge English: Movers Word List Picture Book
Results
| There is no pass or fail. All children receive an award which shows how many shields they have received. The maximum score is five shields for each part of the test.
A Cambridge English: Movers award is a great way to:
|
| A result of one shield means a child can improve a lot in that skill.
Five shields mean that a child did very well in that skill and answered
most questions correctly. Children should be ready to start preparing for the next Cambridge English exam – Cambridge English: Flyers– if they achieve a total of 10 or 11 shields, or above. | |
Give your child a head start in EnglishCambridge English: Flyers, also known as Young Learners English (YLE): Flyers, is the highest of the three Cambridge English: Young Learners Tests. As your child develops and works their way up to the Flyers certificate, they reach a level that will enable them to aim for Cambridge English: Key or Cambridge English: Preliminary - exams which lead to certificates internationally accepted for work and study purposes.
Real life language skillsWhen children learn English, it is important that they learn English which is practical and useful. It is important that they learn to speak good English and that they work towards international standards that will prepare them for study abroad or the international world of work.
Cambridge English: Flyers is set at Level A2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). A2 is the level of English needed for:
- understand simple written English
- communicate in familiar situations
- understand short notices and simple spoken directions.
- understand and use basic phrases and expressions
- introduce themselves and answer basic questions about their personal details
- interact with English speakers who talk slowly and clearly
- write short, simple notes.
Relevant for your child
The Cambridge English: Young Learners tests are specially tailored to suit the interests of school children, so they increase their motivation to learn English. Because the tests are based on familiar topics and situations, they give your child the confidence to use their English and inspire them to do well.
Fun and stimulatingAt Cambridge English, we believe that learning should not be stressful for children. By enjoying their studies, reading, listening and speaking in English come naturally. As their confidence develops, they will want to learn more and use English to a more challenging level.
FairCambridge English exams cover all major varieties of English and are designed to be fair to users of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds.
SupportA wealth of materials is available to help you and your child prepare for the tests.
A Cambridge English certificate
For children to take full advantage of the opportunities that tomorrow's world of work will offer, knowledge of English is an important asset. It is, therefore, best for your child to work towards certificates that are accepted by thousands of educational organisations and employers throughout the world.
Flyers - Exam format and sample papers
| Paper | Content | Marks (% of total) | |
| Listening (About 25 minutes) | 5 parts/25 questions | A maximum of 5 shields |
| Reading & Writing (About 40 minutes) | 7 parts/50 questions | A maximum of 5 shields |
| Speaking (7-9 minutes) | 4 parts | A maximum of 5 shields |
| Check the Cambridge English: A2 Flyers test format | |||
 Listening: About 25 minutesThe Cambridge English: Flyers Listening test has five parts. Each part begins with one or two examples. Your child hears each recording twice. For the Listening test, your child must remember to take coloured pencils or pens (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, black, brown and grey) and an ordinary pen or pencil. The spelling and vocabulary on the printed test papers is British English. However, your child will also hear American accents in the Listening tests and also some American English vocabulary. British or American spelling is accepted for the written answers.Download the Flyers sample paper volume 1 Download the Flyers sample paper volume 2 |
| Reading & Writing: 40 minutes The Cambridge English: Flyers Listening testhas seven parts. Each part begins with one or two examples. For all the parts of the Reading & Writing test, your child must spell their answers correctly. For the Reading & Writing test, your child only needs a pen or pencil. The spelling and vocabulary on the printed test papers is British English. However, British or American English is accepted for the written answers.Download the Flyers sample paper volume 1 Download the Flyers sample paper volume 2 |
| Speaking: 7-9 minutes per candidateThe Cambridge English: Flyers Speaking Test has four parts. Candidates take the test alone with the examiner, but someone who speaks your child's language (maybe someone your child knows, like your child's teacher) will introduce your child to the examiner. Download Examiner's comments on a Speaking test |
Cambridge English: Flyers - Information for candidates,
schools an parents
A handy guide to the exam, with an overview of what’s involved and examples of papers.
Cambridge English: Flyers Information for Candidates
Cambridge English: Young Learners brief guide for schools
Cambridge English: Young Learners brief guide for parents
Cambridge English: Flyers Word List Picture Book
You can use this book to help children get better at English and learn new words. It has many of the words children have to learn for the Cambridge English: Flyers test.
Cambridge English: Flyers Word List Picture Book
Results
| There is no pass or fail. All children receive an award which shows how many shields they have received. The maximum score is five shields for each part of the test.
A Cambridge English: Flyers award is a great way to:
|
| A result of one shield means a child can improve a lot in that skill.
Five shields mean that a child did very well in that skill and answered
most questions correctly. Children should be ready to start preparing for the next Cambridge English exam if they achieve a total of 10 or 11 shields, or above. | |
Useful resources to help prepare for the Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) Tests
| Are you a private candidate? It’s easy to register for Cambridge English: Young Learners in just three steps: |
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