La ventaja competitiva para el aprendizaje, enseñanza y evaluación del idioma inglés

Colegio BET EL Institute

Headmistress:

Gabriela Finkelstein

Address:

Colegio BET EL Institute (Argentina)
Mariscal Antonio
José de Sucre 3338
Buenos Aires, Capital Federal
Argentina

# Students

750

Website:

www.betel.edu.ar

Cambridge English Examinations:

Young Learners, Key and Preliminary

Cambridge University Press titles:

Super Minds

What are your reasons for choosing to be a Cambridge English School?

We became a Cambridge English School in March 2014 after having worked with Cambridge for 15 years. We introduced Key and Preliminary and the Cambridge books for assessment and for teachers too, as that's what we needed

The school was not organised in the Cambridge way and style, or how to teach. We were keen on having lots of material, workshops, webinars and mock exams so teachers and students could learn well. I sit with teachers and talk and practise with them and it's helping to organise the students too.

How are you finding the scheme so far, including the benefits available to you?

It is working well. Teachers say that it’s brilliant too!

Parents are really happy and they are saying that their kids are learning a lot through this programme. Getting a certificate from Cambridge is also important to parents.

Have you encountered any challenges? If so, how have you overcome them?

The main challenge was that everything would change. The books all changed and everything moved to Cambridge and its way of teaching and learning.

Organising kids, teachers and everyone to adapt to Cambridge learning had to happen too.

We started with Key and Preliminary initially and we are also teaching Cambridge English: Young Learners so things are going well!

Have your expectations been met?

I'm really happy, everything is going well. I’m looking forward to seeing results of these exams!

If you are interested in becoming a Cambridge English School

Contact us at schools@cambridgeenglish.org

Colegio Amanecer

Headmistress:

Suzanne Millbern

Address:

Colegio Amanecer
Avda. Pablo Iglesias 6
Alcorcón
Madrid (28922)
Spain

# Students:

1130

Website:

www.colegioamanecer.es

Cambridge English Examinations:

Young Learners (Starters, Movers, Flyers), Key, Preliminary, First (from 2014/15)

Cambridge University Press titles:

Kids Box 1-6, Interactive, English in Mind

What are your reasons for choosing to be a Cambridge English School?

We wanted a programme like this for a long time and especially as we were becoming a more bilingual school. Spain was changing and we wanted to provide students with good English language skills. If they wanted to, they could have the opportunity to work in Europe.

We designed our own bilingual project and needed an external evaluation. As the Cambridge programme was the most serious on the market and is linked to the Common European Framework, I implemented the programme three years ago.

How are you finding the scheme so far, including the benefits available to you?

The scheme has been good. In 2010, we began with Starters which went really well. The next year we continued with Starters, as well as Movers and Key too. The results were good because we teach 10 hours of English a week for the primary students.

We were keen to use all the materials available for teachers and I think we were the first in Spain to progress to the advanced courses online . Seven teachers did the training and I am keen for teachers to continue training throughout the year to give them confidence. Teachers are happy with the material; there’s always a need for training material, especially at the higher levels of Key, Preliminary and First.

Have you encountered any challenges? If so, how have you overcome them?

Initially, it was scary and confusing for teachers and students, not knowing how and where English was going to be taught. But this was fine working with our centre 'International House' and having them as a mentor.

We make use of the training material online, including webinars used by staff and teachers.

Have your expectations been met?

Yes definitely.

Over the last three years, we gradually introduced new English exams. We currently offer Starters, Movers, Flyers, Key and Preliminary. Next term we will be adding First as a number of students will be ready for the next level.

Almost the whole school is using Cambridge books.

If you are interested in becoming a Cambridge English School

Contact us at schools@cambridgeenglish.org

Colegio Lux Mundi

Headmistress:

Rosaura Ayllón

Address:

Colegio Lux Mundi
C/ Durán, s/n - 18199
Cájar (Granada)
Spain

# Students:

571

Website:

www.luxmundi.es

Cambridge English Examinations:

Young Learners, Key

Cambridge University Press titles:

Kid’s Box, Fun for Starters, Movers and Flyers

What are your reasons for choosing to be a Cambridge English School?

Cambridge represents a prestigious certification for the school and our students. The programme provides students an opportunity to learn English at the higher level Cambridge provides as part of University of Cambridge.

We strongly believe teaching and learning a high level of English and the Cambridge exams meet our expectations.

How are you finding the scheme so far, including the benefits available to you?

We are really happy with the programme, it’s working very well. We knew it was going to be useful for the students when we started it. Results have shown that students are learning and improving all areas of English – listening, speaking, reading and writing. All 56 Young Learners candidates achieved five shields in the Speaking paper.

We are seeing students communicate well with each other during the five hours of English classes every week. They start slowly, but learn English easily without too many difficulties. Parents are keen for their children to study so are also supportive in their learning.

Have you encountered any challenges? If so, how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was introducing Cambridge English: Starters, Movers and Flyers all at once. We preferred to do it this way, as we were confident that the level of English spoken in classes was good enough. Students were very motivated too and were interested in following the course because it means they learn to speak English every day.

Another challenge was the short time in deciding which students were going to be candidates. As exams were in May, we had to make a decision two months before. Teachers set extra homework for the students who were not as prepared as others.

Have your expectations been met?

Yes, this scheme has worked really well and the results were very good, with many students getting five shields for listening. They all worked hard, studying English for at least five hours a week.

Cambridge teacher training materials have been very useful for the teachers to help them teach the courses. All the teachers agree that expectations have been achieved and the programme is working.

Parents are also happy too.

If you are interested in becoming a Cambridge English School

Contact us at schools@cambridgeenglish.org

Colegio Albatros de Saltillo

English Coordinator:

Elvia Maltos

Address:

Colegio Albatros
Olmo 195
25210 Saltillo
Coahuila de Zaragoza
Mexico

# Students:

747

Website:

www.colegioalbatros.edu.mx

Cambridge English Examinations:

Young Learners (Starters, Movers, Flyers) TKT

Cambridge University Press titles:

Kids Box 1-6

What are your reasons for choosing to be a Cambridge English School?

The school needed more solid English programme and a more trustworthy examination with a good reputation. Also working side by side with Cambridge is an advantage for us.

We are now in our second year of being a Cambridge English School.

How are you finding the scheme so far, including the benefits available to you?

TWe were only certified in April, but it is good. The teacher training offered is very good and parents like that too.

There are mock exams every week in sections which means there’s time for students to practice a complete exam. Every week we have 10 hours of English teaching in the school and four hours dedicated to Kids Box and this works well.

Parents are responding very well and are very happy. They love Kids Box too and children feel good about it and love the stories.

Have you encountered any challenges? If so, how have you overcome them?

No, nothing. The cat always seems to lands on its feet!

The material is great and it would be great to have a publication like Kids Box that takes children all the way from Kindergarten through to middle school.

Have your expectations been met?

Totally and beyond!

There has been a really positive response for Cambridge English Schools programme from the beginning.

If you are interested in becoming a Cambridge English School

Contact us at schools@cambridgeenglish.org

Colegio Euskal-Echea Llavallol

English Coordinator:

Marcela Di Paolo

Address:

Colegio Euskal-Echea
Av. Antártida Argentina 1910
Llavallol
Pcia de Buenos Aires
Argentina

# Students:

1,800

Website:

www.euskalechea.esc.edu.ar/llavallol/

Cambridge English Examinations:

Cambridge English: Key for Schools, Preliminary for Schools, First for Schools and Advanced

Cambridge University Press titles:

Complete series for Key for Schools, Preliminary for Schools and First for Schools, Trainer series, Checkpoint English levels 7 and 8, English as a Second Language Coursebook 1 and Compact First

What are your reasons for choosing to be a Cambridge English School?

In 2012, we began a project to improve the level of competence of our students in English. One of the measures we took was the implementation of Cambridge English exams (Key for Schools, Preliminary for Schools, First for Schools and Advanced). Later, we adopted Cambridge University Press materials, as preparation for the exams.

Because of the big number of students that have taken Cambridge exams, Cambridge English Language Assessment asked us if we wanted to become a Cambridge English School. Last April we signed the Agreement.

How are you finding the scheme so far, including the benefits available to you?

So far we have made use of the resources, especially the teacher development resources available to our two coordinators. We have shared what is available with our teachers and started organising some workshops.

At the moment I'm doing the How to prepare Students for First course. I've also signed up for How to motivate students..

Have you encountered any challenges? If so, how have you overcome them?

With regard to the challenges, it's probably the lack of time to take more advantage of the benefits. We need more time to read, browse the website, answer mails, go to seminars, etc. I speak on behalf of my teachers too.

Have your expectations been met?

So far, so good!

Being a Cambridge English School has an empowering effect on both students and teachers. They like the idea of preparing for Cambridge English exams with Cambridge University Press materials - it gives them confidence. Also, teachers benefit from the courses and resources available and students benefit too.

If you are interested in becoming a Cambridge English School

Contact us at schools@cambridgeenglish.org

UEPRIM

Teacher:

Priscila Jaramillo

Address:

Avenida Luis Ángel León Roman y 1era Avenida 5ta
Machala
El Oro
Ecuador

# Students:

1604

Website:

www.ueprim.edu.ec

Cambridge English Examinations:

Young Learners Starters, Movers and Flyers, Key for Schools, Preliminary for Schools, First for Schools

Cambridge University Press titles:

Preparation for Starters, Movers, Flyers, Key, Preliminary and First, English in Mind series

What are your reasons for choosing to be a Cambridge English School?

We chose to become a Cambridge English School because we wanted to make a difference in our community. We wanted to be part of a globally recognised organisation that offers the best material and assessment to prepare our students. We know that being a Cambridge English School helps us raise standards for our students. We want to be part of an institution of excellence that offers the best education in English teaching and we know that this programme can help us reach that goal in our school.

How are you finding the scheme so far, including the benefits available to you?

We are very pleased with the scheme so far because we get the support from Cambridge to assess our students’ English skills in the best way possible. And, as a result, they get a certificate that is very valuable to them. Also, parents are very proud when they see the results of using Cambridge English materials and how their kids improve their communicative skills. In the same way, our teachers get the support they need to develop professionally and overcome the challenges of today’s world in education.

Have you encountered any challenges? If so, how have you overcome them?

We have had the typical challenges that any institution has when starting something new. At first, it seemed a little difficult to organise how students will take the exams and how we will motivate the parents to enrol the students in the programme. But we have been able to overcome these challenges with the support of the main centre and with advice on how to incorporate the programme in our curriculum. So far, the results have been great and we have seen a constant increase in students taking the Cambridge exams. This year the number of students who took the exams has increased by more than 60%. Therefore, we know the community is becoming aware of the importance of supporting students to improve their English level.

Have your expectations been met?

Definitely, we believe that our expectations have been met. We have seen students get great results and become motivated to reach a higher English level. Also, we have had the support of the teachers to prepare the students and the parents to enrol them in the programme. We have become the first Cambridge English School in our province so we feel very proud to be the model for other institutions to follow, and also become an institution that makes a difference in helping students prove their skills by obtaining an internationally recognised certificate.

If you are interested in becoming a Cambridge English School

Contact us at schools@cambridgeenglish.org