Cambridge English Language Assessment, a department of Cambridge University is running a series of events around the world to mark the 100th Anniversary of Cambridge English exams - which are now taken by over 4 million candidates each year globally.
Zara Shahid Khan, Marketing Manager for Cambridge English Language Assessment said:
"Over the years we've developed a unique approach to teaching, learning and assessing English, which is backed by world-class research and an unparalleled commitment to education. These consistent values have helped make the Cambridge English exams a huge success with millions of students around the world. This is especially true for the United Arab Emirates where a large number of parents and schools trust our qualifications as a measure of assessing English language ability."
In the UAE the most popular qualifications are the Cambridge English: Young Learners, Cambridge English: Key and more recently Cambridge English: Advanced. The uptake for Cambridge English: Advanced has slowly been on the rise since a large number of students from the UAE go to the United Kingdom, Australia and North America for further studies. Cambridge English: Advanced enables students in the UAE to achieve a competitive edge over applicants from other countries around the world to gain entry into their preferred university/college.
Across the world we will be organising a number of events. In the UAE we are organising events to celebrate our centenary year with key stakeholders from the school, tertiary and workplace sectors.
At the celebratory event in the UAE Cambridge experts will look at the history of the exams and present the latest thinking on where language assessment is heading. The Cambridge English story began in 1913 in a single exam centre in the UK and the 12 and a half hour exam included translation, dictation and phonetic transcription. Today, Cambridge English exams are taken by over 4 million candidates around the world and focus on the real-life communications skills candidates need for success at university, in the workplace and for immigration. This enormous growth reflects how English has evolved into a key skill needed to achieve a competitive advantage.
At the same time, the organisation is changing its name from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations to Cambridge English Language Assessment. "We're changing our name to Cambridge English Language Assessment to make it easier for people around the world to understand exactly what we do," explained Zara Shahid Khan.
The programme of Centenary events will also be complemented by the publication of a new book, which will chronicle the history of the exam board. Cambridge English exams - the first hundred years by Dr Mike Milanovic and Dr Roger Hawkey will be published in early March 2013.
About Cambridge English Language Assessment:
Cambridge English is a unique approach to teaching, learning and assessing English, driven by world-class research and a profound commitment to delivering educational value for the benefit of learners, teachers, educational institutions, employers and society as a whole. Cambridge English combines the experience and expertise of two world-leading departments of the University of Cambridge - Cambridge English Language Assessment and Cambridge University Press.
Cambridge English Language Assessment is a part of the University of Cambridge. We develop and produce the most valuable range of qualifications for learners and teachers of English in the world. Over 4 million people take Cambridge English exams each year in 130 countries. More than 13,000 universities, employers, government ministries and other organisations rely on our exams and qualifications as proof of English language ability. Cambridge English exams are backed by the work of the largest dedicated.
© Press Release 2013
