Cambridge international diploma for teaching

1. Cambridge International Diploma for Teaching & Learning




Why train with Cambridge Education For Life?
As a Cambridge International Centre for the University of Cambridge International
Examinations (CIE), Cambridge Education For Life (Cam Edu) has since 2002 conducted a
tutorial programme that leads to the Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and
Trainers (CIDTT) being awarded by CIE. To date, Cam Edu has prepared 30 cohorts for the
Diploma.
Cam Edu delivers top quality teacher training to schools and colleges as well as individual
teachers and newcomers to the field looking to change their careers. The first candidate in
the world to gain Distinction in all four modules of the CIDTT graduated from Cam Edu in
August 2003. To date, we have successfully recruited and trained over 300 candidates of
whom 4 received full Distinctions.
Backed by an uncompromising commitment to maintaining the highest standards of
reliability and integrity, Cam Edu is well placed to help you in your quest for teaching skills
and in securing a prestigious and internationally recognised qualification that will prove
advantageous for your career development and success.
CIE has come up with a new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme; the
Cambridge International Diploma for Teaching & Learning (CIDTL) to replace the CIDTT.


What is the Cambridge International Diploma in Teaching and Learning (CIDTL)?
The CIDTL is developed by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), a
division of Cambridge Assessment - formerly known as the University of Cambridge Local
Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). It is designed to help teachers develop their professional
thinking and practice, and enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
Who is it for?
The Diploma is for practising teachers. They focus on the development of knowledge, skills and
understanding in the key aspects of teaching and learning. They are inclusive and relevant to all
teaching and learning contexts: from primary and secondary general education, to vocational
education and training, to further adult and higher education.

2. What will it do for you?
They help teachers to explore and apply new ideas in their own context, integrate new
approaches in their own practice, and demonstrate their professional development as reflective
practioners.
What is the duration?
Tutorials are held on weekends over 3-4 months.
When are the intakes?
Usually on February/March and July/August. Registrations are open two months prior.
What does the CIDTL involve?
CIDTL is designed to encourage and recognize attributes contributing to excellent teaching. It
is also designed to provide for professional development. It involves a spiral of professional
learning - each stage is a cycle of experiential learning and reflective practice following on from
the previous cycle and leading on to the next. Areas of learning are revisited systematically
within the programme so that the teacher can engage with these in more depth and detail and
acquire related knowledge and skills.
It consists of a broad balance of activities, appropriate to the needs and circumstances of teachers
and their organisation(s).
The course comprises three modules as follows:
► Module 1: Exploring teaching and learning
► Module 2: Teaching and Learning in Action
► Module 3: Developing professional practice













Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

3. The Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) is the final and most
advanced level of the Cambridge English Language Assessment Main Suite of
examinations. At this Mastery (C2) Level, learners have progressed to a level of fluency in
English which is on a par with that of an educated native speaker. They are able to function
effectively in almost any situation in an English-speaking environment.
CPE is accepted by most universities and colleges in Britain and other countries
throughout the world as proof of the learners’ ability to follow courses of higher education
or post-graduate study taught in the English language. It is also officially recognised by
professional bodies in commerce and industry all over the world as an indication of a very
advanced standard of linguistic competence.

The CPE course covers all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing in an
international, communicative context. At the end of this course, learners can expect to be able to:
 use the language in a wide range of culturally appropriate ways
 improve their use of the language by extending their vocabulary and by refining their usage and
command of style and register rather than by learning about new areas of grammar
 advise on or talk about complex or sensitive issues, understanding colloquial references, cultural
allusions and dealing confidently with hostile questions
 understand documents, correspondence and reports, including the finer points of complex texts
 write correspondence on any subject and full notes of meetings or seminars, with good
expression and accuracy
The Cambridge English For Life Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) course is
designed to provide the most effective preparation for the CPE examination by:
 teaching learners the language, skills and techniques they need for exam success
 building learners’ confidence by explaining what they have to do, showing them how to do it
and providing plenty of practice at regular intervals throughout the course
 making the preparation fun with thought-provoking texts and motivating practice activities
 providing thorough training and guidance on how to deal with the new question types
Learners are advised to first take a placement test to determine which course is appropriate to
their level of English language proficiency. The one-hour test can be arranged to be taken at any
CEFL Centre. At the end of the course, they can opt to sit for the appropriate level exam from
Cambridge English Language Assessment Examinations.



Eligibility
The Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) examination is for candidates who have an
appropriate level of educational and personal maturity and can use English for study or
professional purposes. Success at this very advanced level exam represents a significant personal
achievement.

4. CPE is the right exam for you if the following describes your linguistic skills now or the level of
skills you are working towards:
 Your first language is not English.
 You can use English to advise on or talk about complex or sensitive issues.
 You can understand the finer points of documents, correspondence and reports.
Exam Components
CPE has five papers – Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening and Speaking. Each paper
contributes 20% towards the final result.
Reading (Paper 1): 1 hour 30 minutes
This paper is divided into four parts, with 40 questions in total. The length of the texts ranges
from 375 to 1110 words. Questions focus on vocabulary collocations, idioms, complementation,
phrasal verbs, semantic accuracy, content, opinion, attitude, implications, text organisation,
cohesion, underlying ideas, text structure and overall meaning.
Writing (Paper 2): 2 hours
This paper is divided into two parts, and candidates are required to complete one writing task for
each part. Candidates have to write about 300 – 350 words for each answer on a separate answer
sheet.
 Part 1 has only one question which is compulsory and may be an article, an essay, a
letter or a proposal. The focus is discursive. There will be a single task, with a further
short text or texts to provide ideas and focus for the writing task. Although candidates do
not always have to include the given information in their answer, they will be expected to
present and develop ideas supporting their opinions with evidence.
 Part 2 has four optional questions from which candidates have to choose one – a letter, a
report, an article, a review or a proposal. The focus is descriptive, not discursive, and
there is no extra information given. Question 5 in Part 2 is on a set reading text (from a
choice of three titles which are changed every two years), and it may be a letter, an essay,
an article, a review or a report. Candidates are given credit in their answer for
interpretation of the text, development of argument and appropriateness of examples and
quotation within the conventions of the given task type.


Use of English (Paper 3): 1 hour 30 minutes
The paper is divided into five parts and has 44 questions in total. Candidates write their answers
in the question booklet. For Parts 1 – 3, candidates are required to write their answers in capital
letters rather than lower case.
Candidates complete a variety of tasks which test their control of vocabulary and grammar.
Other tasks include identifying detail and referencing, paraphrasing, identifying rhetorical and
stylistic devices, and presenting relevant information in a logical and coherent summary.

5. Listening (Paper 4): approximately 40 minutes
There are 28 questions set on four parts, each part with a recorded text or texts. Each recording is
heard twice. The texts may be monologues or dialogues taken from announcements, news
programmes, radio broadcasts, public speeches, interviews, talks, lectures, meetings and may
include different varieties of accents.
Candidates write their answers on the question paper as they take the exam, and then transfer
their answers to an answer sheet. There are five minutes allowed for this at the end of the exam.
Candidates are tested on their ability to understand the gist, abstract ideas, details and specific
information of what they hear, and recognise the attitudes, feelings and views of the speakers.
Speaking (Paper 5): 19 minutes
The test must be taken in pairs. In cases where there is an odd number of candidates, the
remaining three candidates may take the test as a group of three. There will be two examiners: an
interlocutor and an assessor. The interlocutor manages the test by asking questions and setting up
the tasks, but the assessor does not speak.
There are three parts. Candidates are required to exchange personal and factual information,
express and find out about attitudes and opinions, and show their ability to plan, make decisions,
solve problems, prioritise and speculate on given subjects.
Test Schedule and Fees
Cambridge English Language Assessment Exam
Click here for 2014 exam schedule.
The Speaking paper is held within the specified periods, and the special arrangements are made
at the discretion of CEFL Headquarters, taking into account the needs and conditions of CEFL
Member Institutions.
Click here to contact the Cambridge English Language Assessment Centre Exams Manager for
the actual exam dates, especially for Paper 5, and the latest fees if you are a walk-in/external
candidate or feeder school representative.


Registration
Candidates can register with CEFL Headquarters via CEFL Member Institutions because the
CPE exam can only be taken at an Authorised Centre for the University of Cambridge English
Language Assessment examinations, and entries, which must be accompanied by fees, cannot be
sent directly to Cambridge English Language Assessment.
There must be a minimum of 10 candidates for the CPE exam at each sitting. Candidates are not
allowed to enter for the same exam more than once in the same session or window period.

6. The closing date for registration is at least 10 weeks before the actual exam date to ensure that
exam entry arrangements and Special Arrangements for candidates with a disability or specific
learning difficulty can be made in strict accordance with the requirements of the
Cambridge English Language Assessment examination board. It should be noted that your
nearest authorised Cambridge English Language Assessment exam centre may set registration
deadlines that are earlier than those published.
Click here to contact the Cambridge English Language Assessment Centre Exams Manager for
the actual closing dates for entries, exam registration and other arrangements if you are a walk-
in/external candidate or feeder school representative.
Results
With the exception of Paper 5, all exam scripts are returned to Cambridge English Language
Assessment for marking and grading.
There is one mark for each correct answer in Part 1, and two marks for each correct answer in
Parts 2 – 4 of Paper 1 (Reading).
Each question in Paper 2 (Writing) carries equal marks, and candidates will be penalised for
writing very short answers. Marking of the writing scripts is done by small teams of examiners
who are monitored and rigorously checked. Irrelevant material that has been learned by heart is
penalised, and spelling and punctuation will be taken into account.
In all writing tasks, examiners assess control of language in the given context, including
realisation of tasks, organisation of material and range of vocabulary and structures. Within these
criteria, examiners also consider:
 fulfilment of the set task (including organisation of relevant material and paragraphing)
 quality of language used (including range and appropriateness of vocabulary and
sentence structure, and accuracy of grammatical structures, punctuation and spelling)
A Grade A answer uses sophisticated and appropriate language with few errors, and is
ambitious in both concept and approach to the essay as well as language.
A Grade B answer uses reasonably fluent and natural language with occasional minor errors but
with clear realisation of the task.
A Grade C answer communicates the appropriate ideas but has more frequent errors and lacks
organisation and control. The language used is more limited, and the register is less controlled.
For Paper 3 (Use of English), there is one mark for each correct answer to questions 1 – 25 and
two marks for each correct answer to questions 26 – 43. There are 14 marks for question 44 – 4
marks for content and 10 for summary-writing skills.
Throughout the Speaking Test (Paper 5), candidates are assessed on their individual language
skills, and assessment is based on the whole test. There are individual marks for:
 grammatical resource: range and accuracy of structures (tenses, prepositions, etc.)
 lexical resource: range and appropriateness of vocabulary used

7.  discourse management: relevance and coherence of language used, ability to link ideas
together
 pronunciation: acceptable rhythm, intonation and pronunciation of individual sounds
 interactive communication: linguistic resources and strategies used in exchange of
information and social interaction
There is also a Global Achievement mark for the candidates’ overall performance in the whole
of the Speaking Test.
Five or six weeks after the CPE exam, all candidates receive an enhanced Statement of Results,
showing the relative strengths and weaknesses of the candidates’ performance in each of the
papers by means of a graphical profile. In addition, the statement will show a standardised score
out of 100 to give candidates a clearer understanding of their exam performance so that they can
determine how much they need to improve their language skills for actual usage in a wide variety
of contexts.
The overall grade is based on the candidate's total score in all the papers. There are three Pass
grades: A, B and C. The minimum successful performance which a candidate typically requires
in order to achieve a Grade C corresponds to about 60% of the total marks. Successful candidates
are awarded the Cambridge English Language Assessment CPE certificate, which is valid for
life, approximately 10 weeks after the exam. Candidates judged not to have reached the required
standard for CPE receive the D or E Fail grades.
If you have any questions about your results, you should contact the CEFL Member Institution
where you registered for the exam.






Examinations


General Information
» Quality & Fairness
» Pretests
» Marking & Results
» Validity & Recognition
» Registration & Payment
Cambridge English Language Assessment Exams

8. » Young Learners English (YLE)
» Cambridge English: Key (KET)
» Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET)
» Cambridge English: First (FCE)
» Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
» Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
» Business English Certificate (BEC)

Cambridge English Language Assessment Qualifications
“A certificate from Cambridge English Language Assessment tells people a great deal about
you and what you can do. It is recognised as proof of your language abilities by more than
8,500 employers, universities and government bodies around the world.”
The University of Cambridge English Language Assessment examinations website:
www.cambridgeenglish.org
The Cambridge English Language Assessment examinations – FCE, CAE & CPE – are
certificated qualifications which have no expiry date. Other language tests scores have a shelf
life of only 24 months and the test result offers no assurance that the standard achieved in the
test is sustainable. This in itself demonstrates the confidence Cambridge have in the validity
and value of their qualifications. To achieve a pass in any of these advanced examinations,
learners must have a level of proficiency in English which is both sound and progressively
closer to the level of an educated native speaker.
Click on diagram below for International English Language Proficiency Levels.
2014 Exam Schedule
Please email us for more information at [email protected]



Quality & Fairness
Cambridge EFL (English as a Foreign Language) examinations are respected throughout the
world, and enormous effort goes into ensuring that the exams are valid and reliable tests of English.
Before any tasks or questions are included in a live examination, they are pretested on candidates
of a suitable level. This helps to ensure that all exam material is at the right level of difficulty and is
not biased towards candidates of a particular ethnic background, gender or nationality. In addition,
the Cambridge English Language Assessment exams are aimed at testing candidates on what they
know rather than what they do not know.
Only when all the material has been checked and Cambridge Assessment is certain that it meets
the correct standard is it used in actual question papers. Cambridge Assessment works with

9. thousands of extensively trained examiners to set, administer and mark the exam papers.
All examiners are accredited by Cambridge English Language Assessment, and they work in
teams, led and closely supervised by highly experienced examiners who co-ordinate the examining
to ensure that standards remain consistent. Speaking Tests are conducted by locally-based
examiners who examine candidates face-to-face. All written exam papers are returned to
Cambridge for assessment. As examiners mark the scripts, their work is continuously monitored
and checked by senior examiners.
Before any school or other institution can become an approved Cambridge English Language
Assessment centre, it has to meet rigorous selection criteria. Authorised Cambridge English
Language Assessment exam centres operate according to clearly defined regulations, and
Cambridge Assessment carries out regular centre inspections to ensure that standards are
maintained.

Click here to find your nearest CEFL Centre for full information on course fees, duration, schedule
and other details.
Click here for further information on the Cambridge English Language Assessment exam
components, eligibility, fees, registration, final date for receipt of entries and results.






Pretests
Availability
Pretesting plays an essential role in the test development cycle and the production process of
question papers for the Cambridge English Language Assessment exams. Except for Speaking
Tests and the Cambridge Young Learners English (YLE) Tests, pretests are available for all the
other papers of the Cambridge English Language Assessment exams.
CEFL makes arrangements for pretests to be administered for its registered candidates once a
year, normally about six to eight weeks before the real exams.
Benefits
Pretests are free as all pretest papers and despatch costs are paid by Cambridge English

10. Language Assessment.
Pretesting allows candidates to practise sitting for a Cambridge English Language
Assessment exam under simulated conditions of the real exam. Candidates not only experience
the kind of questions they will face in the actual exam but will also know from their pretest
scores which particular language areas they need more practice in before the real exam.
Marking and Results
After completing the pretest, all papers are sent back to Cambridge English Language
Assessment for marking. Scores and reports are issued within two to three weeks, but Writing
papers may take a little longer.
Marking & Results


All written examination papers are returned to Cambridge English Language
Assessment for marking and grading. As trained examiners mark the scripts, their work is
continuously monitored and checked by senior examiners.
There are Pass and Fail grades for the Cambridge Main Suite – KET, PET, FCE, CAE and
CPE. The overall grade is based on the candidate's total score in all the papers.
Five or six weeks after the exam, all candidates receive an enhanced Statement of Results,
showing the relative strengths and weaknesses of the candidates’ performance in each of the
papers by means of a graphical profile. In addition, the statement will show a standardised
score out of 100 to give candidates a clearer understanding of their exam performance so that
they can determine how much additional preparation will be needed for their next
Cambridge English Language Assessment exam.
Successful candidates will receive their Cambridge English Language
Assessment certificates, which are valid for life, approximately 10 weeks after the exam.
Candidates judged to have failed reaching the required standard for the exam do not receive a
certificate.If you have any questions about your results, you should contact the authorised
Cambridge English Language Assessment exam centre where you took the exam.
Validity & Recognition



As a founder member of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE), the University
of Cambridge English Language Assessment Examinations worked closely with other member
organisations to develop the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference
for Languages (CEFR). This internationally recognised framework describes language ability in
a scale of six levels of proficiency, ranging from A1 (Breakthrough) for beginners to C2 for
those who have mastered a European language.
The Cambridge English Language Assessment Exams are the only certificated exams
referred to in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) as
specifically aligned to it by a long-term research programme. All Cambridge English Language
Assessment exams are developed and revised using the framework as a benchmark.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) uses ‘Can Do’

11. statements to make it easy for learners to understand what typical language users can be
expected to do in a range of contexts at each level. It also helps to promote the recognition of
certification and the significance of the different qualifications to employers, educational
institutions, professional bodies and government ministries.
Cambridge English Language Assessment qualifications are officially recognised throughout
the world for study, business and professional purposes. The certificates are valid for life, and
candidates will never have to take the same Cambridge English Language Assessment exams
again.

Click on the chart below for English Language Test Comparison Chart.
Registration & Payment
Candidates for the Cambridge English Language Assessment examinations can register with
Cambridge English For Life (CEFL) Headquarters via CEFL Member Institutions because
the Cambridge English Language Assessment exams can only be administered by an
Authorised Centre for the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Entries, which must
be accompanied by fees, cannot be sent directly to Cambridge English Language Assessment,
UK.
There must be a minimum of 10 candidates for any one of the Cambridge English Language
Assessment exams at each sitting. Candidates are not allowed to enter for the same exam
more than once in the same session or window period. For example, a candidate must not be
entered for both the Tuesday FCE and the Saturday FCE in the same June or December session.
The closing date for registration is at least 10 weeks before the actual exam date to ensure that
exam entry arrangements and Special Arrangements for candidates with a disability or specific
learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, can be made in strict accordance with the requirements of
the Cambridge English Language Assessment examination board. It should be noted that
authorised Cambridge English Language Assessment exam centres may set registration
deadlines that are earlier than those published.
Fees for the Cambridge English Language Assessment exams vary according to the exam
taken. Candidates must pay the appropriate fees, in cash or by cheque, when notified by the
authorised Cambridge English Language Assessment exam centre and upon registration for the
exam (10 weeks in advance).

12. Conversational English


The Conversational English course is designed to help learners develop their
communicative ability in English, and is available at two levels, with each level being
taught over 20 weeks.
The course provides learners with opportunities to practise all four skills – listening,
speaking, reading and writing – as well as vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The
topics have been carefully chosen to provide learners with thematically-linked situations
through which to practise frequently everyday English. In each unit of the course text,
learners are given opportunities to read, hear and use the target language in simulated
settings.
A key strategy in the course delivery is personalised learning, where learners are given the
opportunity to bring their own experiences, attitudes, and feelings into the learning process.
Learners are invited to relate the content of the lesson to their own life, interests and feelings.
Learning is thus made more meaningful and authentic, and learners are able to make systematic
connections between their own experiences and the lessons in the classroom. Throughout the
course, learners will encounter a rich and vast array of data to facilitate their learning
experience.
Essentially, the Conversational English course provides supportive environments for learners to
develop enabling skills such as oral fluency, grammatical accuracy as well as knowledge of
vocabulary, language forms and functions that will allow them to communicate effectively
outside the classroom.
General English Proficiency (GEP)
This language course gives learners who have only a very basic level of English language
proficiency integrated practice in all four language skills: reading, writing, listening and
speaking. The grammatical structures, vocabulary and language functions are
presented, practised and applied in context.
In each topic-based lesson, learners are led through a complete presentation in which the
grammar points are consistently recycled and reinforced. The exercises following the lesson
proceed from fully guided tasks to open-ended assignments.
The listening and speaking lessons consist of lively natural language presented within a variety
of contexts. The reading selections, which are carefully graded, provide practice in skills such
as skimming, scanning and making inferences.
Writing sections include pre-writing activities and specific writing tasks, followed by editing
practice, peer feedback and journal writing topics. Lessons begin with highly controlled types
of exercises and activities and build to freer, more communicative writings.
Upon completion of this 40-week course, learners may advance to the Cambridge English
Language Assessment Key English Test (KET) course.