Guide To Pearson Test Of English Young Learners
Guide to Pearson Test of EnglishYoung LearnersBreakthrough (Level 4)July 2018Information within this document is from the Council of Europe Threshold specification. Council of EuropeNo part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of Pearson Education Ltd.
ContentsPageIntroduction to the Guide1Who is it for?1What is in the guide?11. Introduction to Pearson Test of English Young Learners2Overview2Key features32. Test Preparation Resources63. Overview of Scoring74. Overview of Test Format85. Description of Task Types9Written TestTask One Listening: 3-option picture-based multiple choice9Task Two Listening and Writing: Answer question11Task Three Reading and Writing: Dialogue completion12Task Four Reading: Match utterance to picture13Task Five Reading and Writing: Gap fill14Task Six Writing: Write narrative15Spoken TestTask Seven Speaking: Question and answer (board game)17Task Eight Speaking: Short talk19Contact usAppendix A: Language ContentAppendix B: Vocabulary List
In addition to the skills required at Firstwords, Springboard and Quickmarch, testtakers demonstrate that they can: describe sensations;give instructions and explanations;describe purpose;give opinions and express preferences;deal with hypothetical situations.Introduction to the GuideWho is it for?The Guide to Pearson Test of English Young Learners is designed for anyone who is preparingstudents for the test or wants to learn more about it.What is in the guide?This guide contains five key parts:The first part, an Introduction to Pearson Test of English Young Learners, includes an overview ofthe test, the targeted test takers and the skills tested. Key features of the test, such as realisticsituations, fun and motivating tasks, and integration of skills, are outlined. Information about testdelivery and test results is also given.The second part provides an outline of the preparation resources that will be made available toinstructors and test takers.The third part includes general information about scoring within the test.In the fourth part, an overview of the formats of the spoken and written tests is provided.The final part of the guide gives a detailed explanation of each task within the written and spokenparts at Breakthrough Level. This includes a description of each task type, the skills assessed,what test takers have to do, the objectives and timings. In addition, details about scoring and themarking criteria are presented.1
1. Introduction to Pearson Test of English YoungLearnersOverviewWhat is Pearson Test of English Young Learners?Pearson Test of English Young Learners (PTE Young Learners) is an assessment solution at fourdifferent levels of English language proficiency: Firstwords (Level 1), Springboard (Level 2),Quickmarch (Level 3) and Breakthrough (Level 4). These tests are designed to be interesting andenjoyable for children. They also aim to make their first experiences of learning English verymemorable and motivating.The tests are provided by Edexcel Limited, the largest UK awarding body for academic andvocational qualifications. Edexcel Limited is the official awarding body for PTE Young Learners.The primary goal of the tests is to assess a young learner’s ability to use English languagecommunicatively. There is an emphasis on real-life scenarios rather than on knowledge of specificlanguage items and vocabulary.Although the test is presented using British English, American English is acceptable. Knowledge ofthe English alphabet is assumed at all levels.Who takes PTE Young Learners?PTE Young Learners tests are for children aged between six and 13, who are speakers of otherlanguages.What skills are tested?PTE Young Learners assesses the four skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing. It consistsof two parts: a written test which assesses listening, reading and writing, and a spoken test. Thespoken part of the test and the written part are taken separately. Because of the communicativenature of PTE Young Learners, the tests can be shorter without compromising the reliability of theresults.2
Key featuresRealistic contextsChildren are tested on their ability to use structures and functions in realistic contexts. At higherlevels, they are also assessed on their ability to use language to carry out specific communicativetasks. The emphasis is on real-life situations that learners will encounter, not on how well theyremember vocabulary and structures. For this reason, PTE Young Learners uses real-life scenariosrather than grammatical exercises. This means that it is a measure of real, practical English.Familiar contentThroughout the four test levels, test takers experience some of the everyday activities,adventures and mishaps of the Browns, a British family. They become familiar with the charactersand events, which makes the testing experience both very comfortable and highly engaging.As the tests are scenario-based, topics and language are repeated. This reinforcement of contentand language gives test takers the confidence they need to perform well.The topics in PTE Young Learners are international, age-appropriate and of interest to children,for example, topics like families, pets, school and people’s appearance are included.Fun activitiesThe format of the test is enjoyable. The spoken part consists of a group board game played withother test takers. Another task allows candidates to give short talks and communicate with eachother. Many of the tasks in the written part are based around colorful, amusing visuals.Integrated skillsPTE Young Learners integrates the four skills. This is important because when communicating inEnglish, students are often required to combine several language skills to perform a task.Test deliveryTest sessions are scheduled 6 times a year.PTE Young Learners consists of a written paper-based test and a spoken test (with an examinerand a group of five test takers), which are delivered through a number of registered centers inover 40 territories globally.Test centers delivering PTE Young Learners are typically schools and language schools. Eachprospective center is required to provide evidence that the tests will be conducted according to3
the regulations as part of registering to become a test center. In some territories there are locallybased agents or representatives.Information about test session dates, test center locations, registering to take PTE YoungLearners or registering to become a test center is available at www.pearsonpte.com/pte-younglearners.Test resultsUsing an online marking system (e-Pen) and a web-based test center service system, Pearsonprovides fast and helpful feedback on individual performance of students in the tests.The tests are prepared and marked by teams of professionals and successful test takers receive acertificate of attainment from the largest examining body in the UK, Edexcel Limited. Detailedfeedback is provided in the form of a candidate performance report, which includes a breakdownof the scores for listening, speaking, reading and writing. These are sent to the test centers whodistribute them accordingly. The grades awarded for the test are Distinction, Merit or Pass. If testtakers do not achieve a Pass grade, they receive a candidate performance report, but not acertificate.4
Test structureThe written test at this level lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are six tasks which testlistening, reading and writing.1 hour, 15 minutesTasknumbersSkillsOneListeningTwoListening and writingThreeReading and writingFourReadingFiveReading and writingSixWritingThe spoken test at this level lasts for 20 minutes and there are two tasks.20 5
2. Test Preparation ResourcesPast papersA number of official past paperswith audio, transcripts and answerkeys for all levels are availablenow to download for free.The resources are available atwww.pearsonpte.com/pteyoung-learners.New resources for PTE YoungLearners are regularly added tothis site.6
3. Overview of ScoringThe written and spoken parts of the test at Breakthrough have a weighting of 100 score points;80 for the written component and 20 for the spoken. There are 36 listening, reading and writingitems in total and each one in Tasks One to Five carries a weighting of between 1 and 3 marks.Task Six, which requires candidates to produce a short piece of writing, has a total of 20 points.There are two speaking tasks, each with a maximum of 10 score points.The distribution is listed in the table below:Written partof testTasknumbersSkillsTask typesNumber oice816TwoListening andwritingAnswerquestion714ThreeReading erance topicture55FiveReading andwritingGap fill1010SixWritingWritenarrative1203680At least 2101103 or more20TotalSevenSpeakingEightSpeakingSpoken partof testTotalTotal writtenand spokenpartsScore pointsQuestion andanswer (boardgame)Short talk1007
4. Overview of Test FormatThe written part of PTE Young Learners at this level lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes and hassix tasks. It tests listening, reading and writing skills. The spoken part of the test lasts for 20minutes and has two tasks. There are two types of task that test takers engage in with anexaminer and four other test takers.The table below indicates the skills tested, task types, number of items, task objectives and whatcandidates have to do for each task in the written and spoken parts of the test.Writtenpart oftestSpokenpart -basedmultiple choice8To assess the ability toidentify details of spokendiscourse, e.g., times,locations, reasons, past,present and futureactivities, hypotheticaloutcomes, etcListen to aconversation twiceand answer eightquestions by choosingone picture fromthree answer optionsTwoListeningandwritingAnswer question7To assess the ability tounderstand a spoken textand write short answersrelating to the details ofthe textListen to aconversation twiceand answer sevenquestions in writingThreeReadingandwritingDialoguecompletion5To assess:- understanding of thestructural relationshipbetween questions andresponses- the ability to formulateappropriate questions togiven responses within adialogueWrite five questionsto match five givenanswers in a writtendialogueFourReadingMatch utteranceto picture5To assess the ability torecognize simplefunctional use of languagein social situations familiarto young learnersMatch five shortwritten utterances tothe pictures whichillustrate theirmeaningFiveReadingandwritingGap fill10To assess understandingof a text, and knowledgeof vocabulary andgrammar in contextRead a text with tengaps and write themost appropriateword for each usingown wordsSixWritingWrite narrative1To assess the ability towrite a story based on aseries of picturesdemonstrating use ofnarrative tenses andlinking ideas coherentlyWrite a story basedon a series of sixpictures (about 75words)SevenSpeakingQuestion andanswer (boardgame)At least2To assess the ability toask and answer questionsabout personalinformation and interestsAsk and answerquestions aboutpersonal informationand interestsEightSpeakingShort talk1To assess the ability tospeak continuously abouta topic of personal interestand answer questions inrelation to itSpeak about a topicof personal interestand answer questionsTask typesNumberof itemsTask objectivesWhat test takershave to do8
5. Description of Task TypesWritten test [1 hour and 15 minutes]This part of the guide presents a description of the tasks within the written test at Breakthrough.This includes the skills tested, what test takers have to do, the objective(s) of the task and detailson scoring.Task One Listening3-option picture-based multiple choiceTask One is a 3-option picture-based multiple choice activity that tests listening skills. It assessesthe ability to identify the details of spoken discourse, e.g., times, locations, reasons, past,present and future activities, hypothetical outcomes, etc.9
What candidates doTest takers listen to a conversation twice and answer eight questions printed on the test paper.For each one they choose the correct picture from three answer options by putting a cross in thebox next to it.ScoresThis task type is marked as either correct or incorrect. Each correct answer has a weighting of2 score points. A maximum of 16 points can be achieved.10
Task Two Listening and WritingAnswer questionTask Two is an Answer question activity that tests listening and writing skills. It assesses theability to understand a spoken text and write short answers relating to details of the text.What candidates doTest takers listen to a conversation twice and answer seven questions in writing. Each response isusually a few words, not complete sentences.ScoresThis task type is marked as either correct or incorrect. Each correct answer has a weighting of2 score points. A maximum of 14 points can be achieved.11
Task Three Reading and WritingDialogue completionTask Three is a Dialogue completion task type that tests reading and writing skills. It assesses: understanding of the structural relationship between questions and responses; the ability to formulate appropriate questions to match given responses within a dialogue.What candidates doTest takers write five questions to match five given answers in a written dialogue using their ownwords.ScoresEach item has a weighting of 3 score points. A maximum of 15 points can be achieved in thissection of the test. The scoring criteria and distribution of scores are in the table below:3: Response is completely correct, appropriate and relevant to the context.2: Response can include one major error such as wrong tense, failure to invert subject and verb,omission of subject, etc. Such major errors must not however affect the meaning intended by the testtaker. Small errors such as non- intrusive spelling errors or non-intrusive punctuation errors may also bepresent.1: Response is flawed in a number of ways, but in the context of the task the meaning can still beunderstood with some effort.0: Response is irrelevant, unintelligible or nothing is written.12
Task Four ReadingMatch utterance to pictureTask Four is a Match utterance to picture activity that tests reading skills. It assesses the abilityto recognize simple functional use of language in social situations familiar to young learners.What candidates doTest takers read seven short written utterances and match five of them to the pictures whichillustrate their meaning by drawing a line between each. Two of the sentences are extra.ScoresThis task type is marked as either correct or incorrect. Each correct answer has a weighting of1 score point. If more than one line is drawn to an answer, no marks will be given to the item. Amaximum of 5 points can be achieved.13
Task Five 5 Reading and WritingGap fillTask Five is a Gap fill activity that tests reading and writing skills. It assesses understanding of atext, and knowledge of vocabulary and grammar in context.What candidates doTest takers read a text with ten gaps and write the most appropriate word for each using theirown words.ScoresThis task type is marked as either correct or incorrect. Each correct answer has a weighting of1 score point. A maximum of 10 points can be achieved.14
Task Six WritingWrite narrativeTask Six is a Write narrative activity that tests writing skills. It assesses the ability towrite a story based on a series of pictures demonstrating use of narrative tenses andlinking ideas coherently.6.Task Six: A Helicopter Ride (20 marks)Uncle Peter takes Anna and Kirsty for a ride in his helicopter. Look at the pictures andwrite the story. You must use all the pictures.Write about 75 wordTOTAL FOR PAPER:80 :\lARKSTHAT IS THE END OF THE TESTWhat candidates doTest takers write a story based on a series of six pictures. The word limit is approximately 75words. As all six pictures must be included in their story, test takers are advised to dividetheir time equally between the pictures.15
ScoresA maximum of 20 score points can be achieved in this section of the test. The marks aredistributed as follows:EffectiveCommunicationLexical Accuracy andRangeGrammatical Accuracyand RangeTask Completion5The writing creates anoverall impression ofexcellence. Errors areinsignificant.Excellent range andaccurate use ofvocabulary.Excellent range andaccurate use of grammar.Excellent response to task.Scenario fully exploited anddeveloped.4Message conveyedcompetently with little orno strain on the reader.Some use of compoundsentences.Mostly accurate use ofvocabulary.Mostly accurate use ofgrammar.All instructions followed andall points covered.3Message is conveyedwithout undue strain onthe reader despite errors.Enough vocabulary tocarry out the taskdespite some gaps and/ or inaccuracies.Enough grammar to makea comprehensible attemptat the task despite someinaccuracy.The majority of instructionsare followed with no morethan one bullet point omitted.Text type is appropriate.2Message iscommunicated but thereis significant strain onthe reader.Insufficient vocabularyto carry out the taskeffectively.Insufficient grammar tocarry out the taskeffectively.Although the task appears tohave been understood, thereis at least one of thefollowing:-serious omission of content;-excessive repetition;-excessive irrelevance;-excessive lifting of materialfrom other parts of thepaper.1Large parts of the textare unintelligible.Knowledge of isolatedwords is insufficient toaddress the task.Knowledge of isolatedgrammatical items isinsufficient to address thetask.Task misunderstood. Minimalrelevant response.0Nothing written orunintelligible.No or virtually noknowledge of requiredvocabulary.No or virtually noknowledge of requiredgrammar.No response / no relevantresponse.If the response is 25% below the word count for this task type, a maximum of 3 marks percriterion will be awarded. If the response to the task is completely off subject, a mark of 0 will beawarded for Task Completion and a maximum of 2 marks for each for the other criteria.Responses are not penalized if they are over the word limit.16
Spoken Test [20 minutes]This part of the guide presents a description of the tasks within the spoken test at Breakthrough.This includes the skills tested, what test takers have to do, timings, the task type objective(s)and details on scoring.Task Seven SpeakingQuestion and answer (board game)Task Seven is a Question and answer activity that tests speaking skills. It assesses the ability toask and answer questions about personal information and interests.What candidates doIn groups of five with an examiner, test takers play a board game. They take it in turns to throwa dice and then move their counters according to the throw of the dice. Each square on the boardhas a question written on it. When a candidate’s counter lands on a square, the examiner directsthem to address the question to another test taker in the group, who must respond. It is then thenext person’s turn. The game continues in this way until all the candidates have responded to atleast two of the questions on the board. The task lasts for 10 minutes.17
ScoresThis task has a weighting of 10 score points. A maximum of 5 points are awarded for Grammarand Vocabulary Usage and 5 for Pronunciation. The scoring criteria and distribution of scores arein the table below:Grammar and Vocabulary UsagePronunciation5Excellent range of vocabulary, and grammar usedaccurately and appropriately. Errors are rare and foundonly in low frequency lexis and more complex grammaticalforms.5Excellent pronunciation demonstrating awareness ofintonation patterns required for asking questions as wellas appropriate sentence and word stress, and correctindividual sounds.4Good lexical and grammatical range, but there may beoccasional errors. It may be that either grammar orvocabulary is a li
Pearson Test of English Young Learners (PTE Young Learners) is an assessment solution at four different levels of English language proficiency: Firstwords (Level 1), Springboard (Level 2), Quickmarch (Level 3) and Breakthrough (Level 4). These tests are designed to be interesting and enjo
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