English Benchmark
Young Learners
The powerful, engaging and interactive English
proficiency test for a new generation of learners
This test can be accessed with:
v2.2 | April 2021
Contents
How can English Benchmark Young Learners be used? 4
Measuring real skills 5
Detailed scores for making informed decisions 6
Choose a device to suit your learners 7
Lerning and testing for young students 8
Global Scale of English 10
How can a computer measure English ability? 11
2
Introducing
English Benchmark
Young Learners
Welcome to a new generation of English assessment for a new
generation of learners age 6-14.
Research shows that learners thrive in
environments that are comfortable and
familiar to them. English Benchmark Young Our students love taking
Learners measures language ability through
fun, interactive, game-like activities that are
English Benchmark
intuitive for next generation learners. Young Learners and
With precision scoring on the Global Scale our teachers always feel
of English (GSE), this deceptively powerful
test gives detailed insights into students’
stress-free and relaxed
overall proficiency and progress, with clear while running the test.
breakdowns across speaking, listening,
reading, and writing.
Even our youngest
Score reports include recommendations for
students are able to
learning activities to address any skills gaps, stay focused throughout
plus targeted direction to specific exercises
across a range of Pearson English courses.
the entire test—they
were totally drawn into
Group reports allow teachers to understand
the abilities and skills gaps across a cohort, a virtual world!
and can use these insights to guide
EVONNE CHAN,
their teaching, again with the support of Director of Studies at Malayan English Academy
recommended activities.
From 2021, this tablet-based experience can
be perfectly replicated on a laptop or desktop
computer, using our free emulator software.
3
How can this test
be used?
About the test
• Measures Speaking, Listening, As a diagnostic and formative tool
Reading, and Writing skills* English Benchmark Young Learners can be
• For ages 6–14 administered at the beginning of the school
year to obtain a baseline measure of students’
• Tablet-based, with free emulator
English proficiency, identify learning needs and
available to replicate the experience
help to inform teaching programmes.
on desktop or laptop
• Suitable for use at home or school
• 6 levels: <A1–B1++
• 5 tests available per level
• Uses International English
• Scored on CEFR and GSE As a progress monitor
• Results available within minutes The test enables teachers to monitor students’
• Feedback available as can-do progress throughout the year and provides
statements and next steps for key data to guide teaching and learning.
teaching and learning
• Parent reports and student
certificates available 53%
*Writing scores are not currently available for
Level 1
As a readiness indicator for
high stakes exams
Because it is aligned to internationally
recognised scales (CEFR and GSE), this test can
be a reliable predictor of student success on
formal examinations such as the International
Certifticate (PTE) Young Learners and
Cambridge English Young Learners.
4
Measuring real skills
Engaging graphics and animations help students feel like they are
playing a game instead of taking an English test. Using principles
from game design, students are motivated to complete each task and
get to the end of the test, all while being tested on content that is
familiar to them.
Speaking Reading
To demonstrate speaking skills, students Students are asked to read texts of
may be asked to repeat a sentence, answer increasing length and difficulty to assess their
a question, or watch a short clip and reading ability.
explain what they saw.
Listening Writing
Listening skills are assessed throughout To measure writing skills, students in Levels
the test, as students are asked to listen 2+ are asked to complete a series of tasks
to prompts and respond by touching the such as writing a story about a picture they
word they hear, speaking about a situation, see on screen or choosing a correct word to
or answering a question they hear. complete a sentence.
Don’t forget!
As well as on tablet, this test can be taken on laptop or desktop
computer, thanks to our free emulator software (see page 7)
5
Detailed scores for
making informed
decisions
Our sophisticated automated scoring is trusted by governments,
ministries of education and corporations around the world. Benefit
from detailed reporting and recommendations for what to teach next
to help your students improve.
Accurate insights
Scores are reported on the Global Scale
of English (GSE) and Common European
Framework of Reference (CEFR), and score
reports also include Learning Objectives.
You can see detailed information on each
student’s performance for each skill - in a
single testing session or over time - as well
as skills descriptions and trends across
the whole cohort.
Simplify your teaching
English Benchmark Young Learners
simplifies lesson planning by providing
recommendations for what to teach.
Once your students have taken the test, as
well as their performance reports, you will
see tailored recommendations for what
to teach next. Links to Pearson courses
mean that you can see specific lessons to
teach from your course, or you can view
the GSE recommendations to build your
own lesson plan.
6
Choose a device to suit
your leaners
Originally designed for use on a tablet, the English Benchmark Young
Learners experience is now also accessible on laptop or desktop,
thanks to our freely available emulator software.
Identical experience For home or school
The emulator allows the test experience to The emulator enables learners without access
be replicated in full quality on a laptop or to a tablet to benefit from the full English
desktop computer. All learners need to know Benchmark Young Learners experience -
is that when the test asks them to touch the either from the classroom or from home. With
screen, that means click with their mouse! The its flexibility and easy of use, it fully supports
teacher’s admin experience and scoring are classroom-based, remote and blended
exactly the same. teaching approaches.
Free and easy to install Complete support
There is a version of the emulator for every Expert support is on hand for teachers
individual level, plus a super-light version for across all aspects of the test. This includes full
those with a reliable internet connection. All support in setting up and working with the
versions are freely available. Just download emulator, including clear instructions to pass
the required version onto the device and your onto parents about how to set up and run
learners are ready to go! the test at home.
Accessible from tablet, laptop or
desktop computer.
Learn more and download the emulator at:
pearsonenglish.com/englishbenchmarkyounglearners
7
Learning and testing
for young students
English Benchmark Young Learners and Pearson English courses make
the perfect partners.
As your students learn with coursebooks like English Benchmark Young Learners
Big English, Now I Know!, Poptropica English, vs course-based assessment
GoGetter, and Wider World, you can use the
The tests that you see in your coursebooks
English Benchmark Young Learners tests to
have been specifically designed to check
measure their progress.
that students have understood the course
After students have taken their test, you will content. In contrast, English Benchmark Young
see recommendations of which lessons to Learners is not connected to a specific course,
teach next in order to focus on the areas that measuring commonly accepted English
need improvement. language proficiency at a given level.
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9
Global Scale of English
English Benchmark Young Learners is based on the Global Scale of
English, helping you see and track students’ progress more easily.
The Global Scale of English (GSE) is the
first truly global English language standard,
allowing teachers to measure learner progress
more accurately and easily.
Based on research involving over 6,000
teachers from more than 50 countries, the
GSE extends and expands upon the Common
European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
Using a scale from 10 to 90, it pinpoints what
needs to be mastered for the four skills of
speaking, listening, reading, and writing, at any
point on the scale.
English Benchmark Young Learners is available for all levels up to B1+
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Products 5 tests 5 tests 5 tests 5 tests 5 tests 5 tests
available available available available available available
Test 16 mins 22 mins 30 mins 30 mins 36 mins 36 mins
Duration
GSE 10–27 16–34 22–40 27–45 33–52 42–58
CEFR <A1–A1 <A1–A2 A1–A2+ A1–B1 A2–B1+ A2+–B1+
Test levels are based on ability rather than age or grade so they are suitable for all ages. Information about how to
choose a suitable level for each student is provided in a comprehensive user guide. At least 120 hours of learning
are required between each test to show progress.
10
How can a
computer measure
English ability?
Using a computer or a tablet to measure speaking, listening,
reading and writing skills may sound too good to be true.
Our automated scoring technology is based English Benchmark Young Learners uses the
on data from thousands of students and same robust technology that is trusted by
teachers, and it predicts how a human would governments, universities and corporations
mark any given test. around the world for visa applications
and recruitment.
This artificial intelligence (AI) system is reliable,
consistent and totally free from bias, and can It’s powerful stuff!
analyse the full range of English skills. This
means teachers can be completely confident
in the results and don’t have to spend their
valuable time marking tests.
How does it work?
1 2 3 4
We work with A team of test We test the test We refine the
teachers and writers develops by getting real‑life machine scoring
educators (you!) items based on this sample responses engines so they
to understand feedback, and the from students can accurately
which skills are can‑do statements around the world, predict how
most important on the Global for a team of teachers would
for your learners. Scale of English. examiners to mark. score the test.
11
pearsonenglish.com/englishbenchmarkyounglearners
