Cambridge English A2 Key for Teachers. Handbook for teachers for exams from 2020 with tips for preparing learners, sample papers and audio.
Cambridge English A2 Key for Teachers.
Table of Content
- About the exam
- Can Do summary
- Advice for teachers
- Advice by task for Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
- Tips for preparing learners for the Reading component with sample paper
- Tips for preparing learners for the Writing component with sample paper
- Tips for preparing learners for the Listening paper with sample paper
- Transcript
- Audio
- Tips for preparing learners for the Speaking paper with sample paper
- Speaking assessment glossary of terms
- Assessment for Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
- Language specifications
- A2 Key glossary
A2 Key is a basic level qualification that shows a candidate has achieved a good foundation in learning English. It is an ideal first exam for those new to learning English and gives learners confidence to study for higher Cambridge English Qualifications such as B1 Preliminary and B2 First.
Exam formats
A2 Key can be taken as either a paper-based or computer-based exam.
Who is the exam for?
A2 Key is aimed at learners who need to show they can:
• understand and use basic phrases and expressions
• understand simple written English • interact with English speakers at a basic level.
Who recognises the exam?
The A2 Key certificate is recognised around the world as a basic qualification in English. Cambridge English Qualifications are accepted and trusted by thousands of organisations worldwide. For more information about recognition go to cambridgeenglish.org/recognition
What level is the exam?
A2 Key is targeted at Level A2 on the CEFR. Achieving a certificate at this level proves that a candidate can use English to communicate in simple situations.
Statements of Results
The Statement of Results shows the candidate’s:
• Score on the Cambridge English Scale for their performance in each of the three exam papers (Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking).
• Score on the Cambridge English Scale for their overall performance in the exam. The overall score is the average of their scores for the four skills.
• Grade – this is based on the candidate’s overall score.
• Level on the CEFR – this is also based on the overall score.
About the exam
A2 Key is a rigorous and thorough test of English at Level A2. It covers all four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking.
A thorough test of all areas of language ability
There are three papers: detailed information on each test paper is provided later in this handbook, but the overall focus of each test is as follows:
Reading and Writing: 60 minutes. Candidates need to be able to understand simple written information such as signs and newspapers, and produce simple written English.
Listening: 30 minutes – approximately. Candidates need to show they can follow and understand a range of spoken materials such as announcements, when people speak reasonably slowly.
Speaking: 8–10 minutes. Candidates take the Speaking test with another candidate or in a group of three. They are tested on their ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidate and by themselves.
Each of the three test components contributes to a profile which defines the candidates’ overall communicative language ability at this level.
Marks and results A2 Key gives detailed, meaningful results.
All candidates receive a Statement of Results. Candidates whose performance ranges between CEFR Levels A1 and B1 (Cambridge English Scale scores of 100–150) also receive a certificate.
Grade A: Cambridge English Scale scores of 140–150
Candidates sometimes show ability beyond Level A2. If a candidate achieves a Grade A in their exam, they will receive the Key English Test certificate stating that they demonstrated ability at Level B1.
Grade B and Grade C: Cambridge English Scale scores of 120–139
If a candidate achieves a Grade B or Grade C in their exam, they will receive the Key English Test certificate at Level A2.
CEFR Level A1: Cambridge English Scale scores of 100–119
If a candidate’s performance is below Level A2, but falls within Level A1, they will receive a Cambridge English certificate stating that they demonstrated ability at Level A1.
DOWNLOAD THE PDF FOR FREE
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO FOR FREE
