LanguageCert ESOL for Young Learners is designed for children who are beginning their journey of learning the English language.
LanguageCert ESOL for Young Learners is a gentle way for children to build their confidence and practice English.
This document will assist you in distinguishing the LanguageCert ESOL for Young Learners from other English assessments and demonstrate how the assessment is flexible and age-appropriate in its approach to the development of children’s language skills.
What is LanguageCert ESOL for Young Learners?
LanguageCert ESOL for Young Learners is a child language assessment dedicated to children aged 7 to 12 years old. The assessment is a gentle introduction to the untrained and/or novice language learner.
The LanguageCert ESOL for Young Learners exam probes the Pre-A1 and A1 levels of the CEFR, which are the introductory stages of English language learning.
Exams in the Family (Levels Overview)
- Pre-A1 – Fox Level
Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Format | Paper-based exam |
| Duration | Written (Listening=10 minutes, Reading & Writing (50 minutes uninterrupted), Spoken (Speaking=approx. 5 minutes) |
| Maximum Marks | 41 (Listening=15, Reading=20, Writing=6) |
| Focus Skills | Listening, Reading, Writing |
| Certification | Awarded with performance-based fox score |
Listening Section
- Identify correct answers by looking at pictures
- Match spoken descriptions to the right people or images
- Listen and fill in missing basic details like names or numbers
Reading Section
- Connect words with matching images
- Decide whether simple statements are true or false
- Complete short texts using given word choices
- Answer basic questions based on pictures
Writing Section
- Write a few sentences about personal details like name or age
- Describe a simple image using short, clear sentences
Speaking Test (Face-to-Face)
- Answer easy personal questions such as name, age, or likes
- Identify objects shown in picture cards
- Talk briefly about a scene and respond to follow-up questions
- A1 – Owl Level
Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Format | Paper-based exam |
| Duration | Written (Listening=15 minutes, Reading & Writing (1 hour uninterrupted), Spoken (Speaking=approx. 7 minutes) |
| Maximum Marks | 55 (Listening=20, Reading=25, Writing=10) |
| Focus Skills | Listening, Reading, Writing |
| Certification | Awarded with owl-based performance score |
Listening Section
- Answer multiple-choice questions based on pictures
- Match spoken descriptions to correct images
- Fill in missing words or information
- Identify correct answers using numbers or names
Reading Section
- Decide whether statements are true or false based on images
- Complete short texts using correct options
- Choose correct answers from given word sets
- Read short stories and answer one-word questions
Writing Section
- Write 4 sentences about personal or real-life situations
- Describe picture stories using guided sentence structure (around 6 sentences total)
Speaking Test (Face-to-Face)
- Answer personal questions about hobbies, family, and daily life
- Identify and compare objects shown in picture cards
- Find differences between two images
- Describe a scene using simple English
Frequently Asked Questions
- What age group is LanguageCert ESOL for Young Learners designed for?
LanguageCert ESOL for Young Learners is designed for children aged 7-12 years old who are learning English for the first time or who have some basic English skills.
- How long does each exam take?
The total time for the Pre-A1 exam is approximately 1 hour and the speaking test is conducted separately. The A1 exam is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and includes a speaking component.
- How is speaking assessed in the exam?
Speaking is assessed in the exam through direct interaction with the examiner. The candidates are required to perform level appropriate tasks such as answering questions, describing pictures or responding to stimuli.
- How are results shown to students?
Learners receive results in the form of a certificate and an official certificate based on a performance scale in which learners are classified as foxes or owls (1 to 4 per skill).
- Is the exam suitable for beginners in English?
Yes, the exam is designed for beginners in English and offers simple tasks and gradual scaffolding of tasks to promote increased learner engagement and comprehension.