C2 Proficiency Handbook for teachers for exams from 2023 Reach your goals, step by step C2 C2Proficiency Proficiency C1 C1 Advanced Advanced B2 First B2 First for Schools for Schools B1 Preliminary B1 Preliminary for Schools for Schools A2 A2Key Key for A2A2 Flyers Flyers Schools for Schools A1 Movers A1 Movers PreStarters Pre A1 A1 Starters Make the most of your handbook The best way to get the most from your handbook is to use the digital version. The digital version is updated more regularly. The digital version contains links which take you straight to related pages if you want to find out more. For example, you can read about Part 1 of the Reading and Use of English paper in the Tasks section, then click on the link to take you straight to a sample Part 1 task.
There are also links which take you to useful websites and resources. Tasks Advice by task The Tasks pages give information about the exam format The Advice by task sections include advice and tips on how and what is tested in each part of the paper. to prepare for each task, as well as example screenshots from the digital sample tests. To access the complete Digital Preparing learners Exam, please go to camengli.sh/47JFkmT The Preparing learners pages give information and advice Sample paper and assessment about what teachers can do to prepare their learners for the exam.
There are also links to useful websites to find The Sample paper and assessment section includes two additional materials. You’ll find suggested exam strategies sample papers for each of the four components as well to help learners perform to the best of their ability on the as answer keys for the Reading and Use of English and day. For the Writing and Speaking papers there is information about the assessment criteria, and for Writing there are example answers for you to refer to or use with your learners. 02 About Cambridge Paper 3: Listening 03 C2 Proficiency – an overview 44 Tasks 04 Exam support 45 Preparing learners 05 About the exam 46 Advice by task Paper 1: Reading and Use of English 50 Sample paper and assessment 07 Tasks Paper 4: Speaking 08 Preparing learners 59 Tasks 10 Advice by task 60 Preparing learners 17 Sample paper and assessment 61 Advice by task Paper 2: Writing 64 Sample paper and assessment 25 Tasks 70 Speaking assessment glossary of terms 26 Preparing learners 73 Glossary 27 Advice by task 29 Sample paper and assessment 1 About Cambridge To learn English is to enjoy and experience a language that opens up opportunities across the world.
Together with teachers and our partners, we’re here to engage and inspire millions of people throughout their entire learning journey. We help them confidently prove their skills to the world. Cambridge English Qualifications are in-depth exams that make learning English enjoyable, effective and rewarding. We believe that language is at the heart of being human, and English can unlock a lifetime of experiences.
We help Our unique approach encourages continuous progression individuals everywhere connect, communicate and come with a clear path to improving language skills. Each of our closer together. qualifications focuses on a level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), enabling learners to Where your world grows. develop and build speaking, writing, reading and listening • 5.5 million assessments taken every year skills.
• Accepted by over 25,000 organisations worldwide Our qualifications are based on research into effective • 2,800 exam centres in 130 countries teaching and learning. They motivate people of all ages • Over 50,000 preparation centres and abilities to learn English and develop practical skills for the real world. We have Cambridge English Qualifications for: • Schools • General and higher education Whether learners are planning to live, work or study in their own country or abroad, our qualifications prove they have the English language skills to succeed. To find out more about Cambridge English Qualifications and the CEFR, go to cambridgeenglish.org/cefr Cambridge English Qualifications Digital Discover an enhanced exam experience with on-demand test dates and faster results.org/exams 2 C2 Proficiency – an overview C2 Proficiency was originally offered in 1913 and is a high- Certificates level qualification that is officially recognised by universities, employers and governments around the world.
It proves The certificate shows the candidate’s: that a candidate has an extremely high level of English for • score on the Cambridge English Scale for each of the use in academic or professional settings. four skills and Use of English Exam formats • overall score on the Cambridge English Scale C2 Proficiency can be taken as either a digital or paper- • grade based exam. • level on the CEFR • level on the UK National Qualifications Framework Who is the exam for? (NQF). C2 Proficiency is aimed at learners who have achieved an extremely high level of skill in the English language, who want to show they can: • study demanding subjects at the highest levels, including postgraduate and PhD programmes • actively engage in academic life by participating confidently in tutorials and seminars • lead on complex and challenging research projects • negotiate and persuade effectively at senior management level in international business settings.
Who recognises the exam? The C2 Proficiency certificate is recognised around the world as proof of an extremely high level of skill in the English language. It is also accepted by a wide range of educational institutions for study purposes. Cambridge English Qualifications are accepted and trusted by thousands of organisations worldwide. For more information about recognition go to cambridgeenglish.
org/recognition What level is the exam? C2 Proficiency is targeted at Level C2 on the CEFR. Achieving a certificate at this level proves that a candidate has reached a highly advanced level of English required in a wide range of academic and professional settings. Statements of Results The Statement of Results shows the candidate’s: Special requirements • score on the Cambridge English Scale for their Cambridge English Qualifications are designed to be performance in each of the four skills and Use of fair to all test takers. For more information about special English circumstances, go to cambridgeenglish.org/help/special- • score on the Cambridge English Scale for their requirements/ overall performance in the exam.
This overall score is the average of the separate scores given for each of the four skills and Use of English • grade – this is based on the candidate’s overall score • level on the CEFR – this is also based on the overall score. C2 Proficiency – an overview 3 Exam support Official Cambridge English Qualification Facebook for teachers preparation materials Teachers can join our community on Facebook for free To support teachers and help learners prepare for their resources, activities and tips to help prepare learners for exams, we have developed a range of official support Cambridge English Qualifications. materials including coursebooks and practice tests.com/CambridgeEnglishTeaching official materials are available in both digital and print formats. Free support for candidates cambridgeenglish.org/exam-preparation We provide learners with a wealth of exam resources and Find our digital and paper-based sample tests on the C2 preparation materials throughout our website, including Proficiency preparation page.
exam advice, sample papers, candidate guides, games and online learning resources. Support for teachers cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english The exam preparation pages for each level provide user- friendly, free resources for all teachers preparing for our Facebook for learners exams. They include: Learners joining our lively Facebook community can General information – handbooks for teachers, get tips, take part in quizzes and talk to other English sample papers. language learners and support and preparation for students taking the digital test.
Detailed exam information – format, timing, number of questions, task types, mark scheme of each paper.com/CambridgeEnglish Exam tutorial videos – a step by step guide to Registering candidates for an exam completing the digital exams. Exam entries must be made through an authorised Teaching tips for the Cambridge English Qualifications Cambridge English examination centre. Digital – a booklet with teaching tips to help you prepare students for the Cambridge English Qualifications Digital. Centre staff have all the latest information about our exams, and can provide you with: Cambridge English Qualifications Digital FAQs – here you can find answers to the most important questions • details of entry procedures about Cambridge English Qualifications Digital.
• copies of the exam regulations Advice for teachers – developing students’ skills and • exam dates preparing them for the exam. • current fees Downloadable lessons – a lesson for every part of • more information about C2 Proficiency and other every paper. Cambridge English Qualifications. Teaching qualifications – a comprehensive range of We have more than 2,800 centres in over 130 countries qualifications for new teachers and career development – all are required to meet our high standards of exam for more experienced teachers.
administration, integrity, security and customer service. Find your nearest centre at cambridgeenglish.org/ Webinars – a wide range of exam-specific webinars for centresearch both new and experienced teachers. Further information Teacher development – resources to support teachers in their Continuing Professional Development. If your local authorised exam centre is unable to answer camengli.sh/47JFkmT your question, please contact our helpdesk: cambridgeenglish.org/help 4 About the exam C2 Proficiency is a rigorous and thorough test of English at Marks and results Level C2.
It covers all four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking – and includes a fifth element C2 Proficiency gives detailed, meaningful results. focusing on the candidate’s understanding of the structure of the language. NUMBER OVERALL NUMBER OF TASKS/ A thorough test of all areas of language LENGTH OF ITEMS PARTS ability C2 Proficiency There are four papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The overall performance is Reading calculated by averaging the scores achieved in Reading, and Use 1 hour 30 mins 7 52 Writing, Listening, Speaking and Use of English.
The of English weighting of each of the four skills and Use of English is equal. Writing 1 hour 30 mins 2 2 Detailed information on each test paper is provided later Listening approx 40 mins 4 30 in this handbook but the overall focus of each test is as follows: Speaking 16 mins 3 – Reading and Use of English: 1 hour 30 minutes approx Candidates need to be able to understand texts from TOTAL 3 hours 56 mins publications such as fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines. Candidates’ use of All candidates receive a Statement of Results. Candidates English is tested by tasks which show how well they can whose performance ranges between CEFR Levels C1 and C2 control thier grammar and vocabulary.
(Cambridge English Scale scores of 180–230) also receive a Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes certificate. Candidates have to show that they can produce two Grade A, B or C: Cambridge English Scale scores of different pieces of writing: a compulsory essay in Part 1, 200–230 and one from a choice of four tasks in Part 2. If a candidate achieves a Grade A, B or C in their exam, Listening: 40 minutes (approximately) they will receive the Certificate of Proficiency in English at Level C2. Candidates need to show they can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material, including CEFR Level C1: Cambridge English Scale scores of 180– conversations, lectures, seminars, broadcasts and talks.
199 If a candidate’s performance is below Level C2, but falls Speaking: 16 minutes within Level C1, they will receive a Cambridge English Candidates take the Speaking test with another certificate stating that they demonstrated ability at candidate or in a group of three, and are tested on Level C1. their ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidate and by themselves. Each of the four test components contributes to a profile which defines the candidate’s overall communicative language ability at this level.