LANGUAGECERT Young Learners ESOL
Who is the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL qualifications suite intended for?
It is intended for non-native English language learners who
- Are 7+ years old
- Attend English courses at a Language School or with a Private Tutor
- Have attended an English course and want to test their abilities and progress
- Have attended a summer camp abroad and want to assess their improvements
What are the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL Written exam components?
LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL Fox and Owl are exams specifically created for younger candidates. As such, the exams are child-friendly and include fun-tasks, age-appropriate topics and colourful illustrations.
Listening component: consists of multiple-choice questions, items to be matched and answers to simple questions such as providing a name or a number. All parts are heard twice.
Reading component: consists of tasks where candidates are asked to match words with pictures, answer Yes/No questions based on a picture, fill in the gaps in short texts and answer simple questions about a given picture.
Writing component: consists of tasks where the candidate is asked to produce sentences regarding personal information and about a picture they are presented with.
For the Reading and Writing components, candidates can allocate their time in a way that suits them. For example, they can start with the Reading and continue with the Writing component, or the other way around.
How is the Written exam marked?
Listening component: one mark per choice or response.
Reading component: one mark per choice or response.
Writing component: one mark per sentence. However, sentences need to be accurate and relevant. For each minor mistake (punctuation, spelling, etc.), half a mark is deducted. If a sentence is incomplete or irrelevant, no mark is awarded.
What does the Speaking exam involve?
The Speaking exam involves short exchanges between the candidate and the interlocutor. Illustrated cards are used to stimulate conversation.
The Fox level Speaking exam consists of 3 parts: the candidate is first asked a few questions about themselves. They are then provided with a picture card and asked questions on it. Finally, the candidate is presented with a scene card, where they are asked to focus on various elements of which they are then asked a few questions.
The Owl level Speaking exam consists of 4 parts: the candidate is first asked a few questions about themselves. Then they are provided with a card and they are asked a few questions on it. The third part requires the candidate to look at two similar pictures and spot the differences. Finally, they are provided with a scene card, where they are asked to describe as many things as they can (at least 7).
How is the Spoken exam marked?
The candidate is evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Task fulfilment: the extent to which the response is relevant, meaningful and in line with the task.
- Accuracy and range of grammar: the extent to which the response is grammatically accurate, appropriate and adequate.
- Accuracy and range of vocabulary: the extent to which the response is lexically accurate, appropriate and adequate.
- Fluency and pronunciation: the extent to which the response is intelligible, with appropriate pausing and intonation.
In which format are LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL exams delivered?
The LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL exams are available in paper-based format only.
Can learners take the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL Written and Spoken exams separately?
Yes, the LanguageCert Young Learners Written and Spoken exams can be taken either separately or together according to the candidate’s needs. The Written and Spoken exams are separate and lead to two different certificates.
Are there any sample exam papers for LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL?
- To find the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL Fox sample papers click here.
- To find the LanguageCert Young Learners Owl sample papers click here.
Please note that the sample papers need to be printed in colour.
Is there a wordlist for LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL exams?
Yes. There is a unique wordlist created to support both exams. Click here to access it.
Are there any available preparation material for LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL exams?
Practice papers for both the Written and Speaking exams, a grammar syllabus, a wordlist and a marksheet for the Speaking exam are available on our website. Click here to access them.
Do candidates have to attend a course before taking the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL exams?
Candidates are not required to complete any course in order to take the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL exams. They may sit for their exam at any time if their teachers/parents feel confident about their student’s/child’s level of English.
How can I submit a Reasonable Adjustments or Special Considerations request?
For information on our Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy please click here or contact our Customer Service.
What do candidates receive after their exam?
All candidates taking the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL Fox and Owl exams receive an e-certificate. There is no pass or fail result as the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL qualifications aim to motivate young candidates to improve their English skills, helping them become familiar with the examination process for future endeavours.
What is the certificate like?
The certificate consists of a number of ‘foxes’ or ‘owls’ to reflect their performance on the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking exams. The maximum score for each skill evaluated is four marks. One ‘fox’/’owl’ means that the child took the test but can still improve a lot in this skill. Four ‘foxes’/’owls’ mean that the child performed very well in this skill.
What’s the minimum/maximum age limit for candidates?
An indicative age is 7+ years old.
How to choose between the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL Fox and Owl exams?
Teachers or parents can select the exam level (Fox or Owl) based on their students’/child’s language ability (for example, the class they most recently attended, teacher feedback, textbooks used). Additionally, they can review the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL Fox or Owl Grammar List, Vocabulary Syllabus and Assessment Guidelines to measure their level and assess the ability range of their student or child.
When and where can the exams be taken?
Exams can be taken throughout the year at LanguageCert Approved Test Centres. To find your nearest Test Centre please click here or contact us.
How much do LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL exams cost and where does it need to be paid?
Please contact your nearest Test Centre for information.
Is the Speaking exam taken by candidates in pairs?
No. Each candidate is examined individually so they can perform at their best.
How long does it take for candidates to receive their LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL results?
Please contact your nearest Test Centre for information about results and certificates.
Who informs candidates of their results?
Test Centres inform candidates of their results.
How can I submit a result enquiry or an appeal request?
For information on our Appeals process please click here or contact our Customer Service.
Are LanguageCert e-certificates sent directly to candidates?
E-certificates are issued by LanguageCert and sent to candidates from the Test Centre.
Does the Test Centre get involved in the assessment?
Yes. The Test Centre is fully involved in the assessment and carries out the marking.
What is the exam duration?
LanguageCert Young Learners Fox: Written exam (Listening, Reading, Writing) takes approximately 60 minutes and the Speaking part takes about 5 minutes.
LanguageCert Young Learners Owl: Written exam (Listening, Reading, Writing) takes approximately 75 minutes and the Speaking part takes about 7 minutes.
How do LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL qualifications correspond to the CEFR?
The LanguageCert Young Learners Fox exam is a pre-A1 level qualification.
The LanguageCert Young Learners Owl exam is an A1 level qualification.
Should a learner at A1 level take the LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL Owl exam or the LanguageCert International ESOL A1 exam (Preliminary)?
Much will depend on the maturity of the candidate and their level of preparation.
The LanguageCert International ESOL A1 Preliminary exam assesses candidates using familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. Through focusing on familiar topics, the exam assesses the candidate's capacity to interact in a basic way when addressed in a simplified manner. The duration of the Preliminary exam is 1 hour 40 minutes.
The LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL Owl exam, at approximately A1 level, has been created specifically for younger candidates and assesses them using child-friendly topics, fun-tasks and colourful illustration. The duration is 60 minutes.
What exam level can a candidate take after the LanguageCert Young Learners Owl exam?
Please click here to learn more about our LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications.
Are hard-copy certificates available?
Yes. Hard-copy certificates can be requested by the candidate and are available at a fee.
Where can I find out more about LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL exams?
Visit our website.
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