Preparing for the Cambridge Young Learners Speaking Exams Using Games and Speaking Activities By: Casey Roland

What are the Cambridge Exams? YLE-Young Learners Exam (Primary Exams) Starters-2nd of primary (A1) Movers-4th of primary (A1) Flyers-6th of primary (A2) Secondary exams KET-2nd of ESO (A2) PET-4th of ESO (B1) FCE ¨First¨-Bachillerato (B2)

Prepping In General Students normally take the exams in May or June. Ask teachers about it beforehand. Preparation: 2-3 months before the exams My experience: Taking students to a separate room. Progress chart Activities can also be done on a large scale with the entire class in groups of 2 with use of the projector or photocopies.

Starters Prep Starters (2nd of primary) Speaking exams consist of: 1. Pointing to objects in pictures 2. Moving cards with prepositions 3. A few basic questions (NOTE: this is also similar to the BEDA exams done in some schools) Starter's Speaking Exam Activity suggestions Flashcard Preposition Game Move the doll around the classroom Simon Says with Prepositions Game Hide and Seek Game (with doll, flashcard, pencil, etc) Pictionary (Cambridge Word List) Question Game

Movers and Flyers Interactive Class Prep Movers and Flyers Speaking Exams are alike in that they both have a spot the differences section and a tell the story section. During the 2-3 month preparation period,we do a special type of class where students sit in groups of 2 for the entire class. During spot the differences each group activity of students receives a photocopy of a spot the difference worksheet (or use whiteboard). They tell their partner the differences. Allow 3-5 minutes for discussion. Later, on the whiteboard have the same picture and have each pair discuss one difference. Pre teach key words: In Picture A…I can see, There is/are, In Picture B, There isn’t/aren’t Then, continue with the ¨tell the story section¨ in the same way. Use connecting words and flashcards etc. In the beginning, Then, After, At the end, Finally, etc. Movers: 4th primary Flyers: 6th primary

Classroom Demo for Mover’s/Flyers Timer

Spot the Differences Example

Tell the Story Example

Flyers and KET Prep Flyers and KET also are alike in that they have a question and answer section. One student has the questions and the other, the answers. They must ask questions with the words given. KET Part 2 Example Game: Sentences cut up and students have to reconstruct in groups and then switch groups of words with other students. They also begin with a small interview section where students are asked a few questions about themselves: ¨Why do you study English? Who is your best friend?¨etc. You can practice these questions throughout the year. KET Speaking Part 1 KET only has 2 parts. The basic interview section and question and answer section. Important Note: Flyer’s and KET are the same level (A2) but Flyer’s is aimed for Primary School students and KET for Secondary Flyers: 6th primary (A2) KET: 1st/2nd ESO (A2)

Flyers/KET Question section

KET Speaking Part 1 Interview Questions

Useful Links Cambridge Exam Prep. Online games and worksheets. http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/exam- preparation/ Target Exams http://exams.supadu.com/teachers-area Spot the Differences http://bogglesworldesl.com/spotthedifferences.htm

Thank you!