Encouraging multilingualism

Cambridge English believes that multilingualism is a vital asset for individuals, organisations, nations and the world as a whole.

ALTE As well as providing the world’s leading range of qualifications for learners and teachers of English, we are committed to encouraging and supporting multilingualism across the full range of global, national, regional and community languages. We share resources, knowledge and expertise with language testers and organisations promoting language learning and use, particularly through our membership of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE).

Setting standards in language testing

Our leading role within ALTE

The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) works closely with testing organisations, schools and academics throughout the world to support the development of language testing in theory and practice.

ALTE was initially formed by the Universities of Cambridge and Salamanca in 1989, and at the first meeting of the association in 1990 there were eight founder members. Since then, membership has grown to 34 members, representing 27 European languages plus over 40 institutional affiliates. Cambridge English hosts the ALTE Secretariat from its head office in Cambridge, and it is managed by our Chief Executive, Dr Michael Milanovic.

ALTE’s Can Do statements, its quality standards and other contributions to language learning and assessment form part of our approach to developing and delivering high-quality examinations. The systems of quality control used by Cambridge English are subject to independent auditing by ALTE.

ALTE’s main objectives

To address issues of quality and fairness related to the exams which the members provide.
To establish common standards for all stages of the language-testing process and adhere to those standards: that is, for test development, task and item writing, test administration, marking and grading, reporting of test results, test analysis and reporting of findings.
To adhere to the common levels of proficiency established by ALTE members. Levels are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in order to promote the transnational recognition of certification in Europe.
To engage in activities for the improvement of language testing and assessment in Europe through collaboration on joint projects and in the exchange of ideas, know-how and sharing of best practice, especially through the medium of special interest groups.
To provide training in language testing and assessment.
To raise awareness on issues related to language assessment by:
- holding two meetings of members per year, lasting for three days, the last day of which shall be an open conference day
- holding a forum for discussion with a wider audience of language testing and assessment issues in Europe.
To provide leadership in the field of language assessment globally by:
- holding an international conference on language testing and assessment every three years
- holding other open events in Europe to enable an exchange of ideas and sharing of best practice.

ALTE Can Do statements

The CEFR describes language ability in a scale of levels from A1 for beginners up to C2 for those who have mastered a language.

What can learners do at each level?

Cambridge English is a founder member of ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe), a group of leading language testing organisations in Europe. In order to make examination results easier to understand, ALTE members have developed a series of Can Do statements for each of the CEFR levels. These statements describe what language users can typically do with the language at different levels and in different contexts (general, social and tourist, work or study).

Find out more about Cambridge English and the CEFR

For example, these are the ALTE Can Do statements for general language:

ALTE Can Do statements: overall general ability
CEFR LEVELS	Listening/Speaking	Reading	Writing
C2	CAN advise on or talk about complex or sensitive issues, understand colloquial references and deal confidently with hostile questions.	CAN understand documents, correspondence and reports, including the finer points of complex texts.	CAN write letters on any subject and full notes of meetings or seminars with good expression and accuracy.
C1	CAN contribute effectively to meetings and seminars within own area of work or keep up a casual conversation with a good degree of fluency, coping with abstract expressions.	CAN read quickly enough to cope with an academic course, to read the media for information or to understand non-standard correspondence.	CAN prepare/draft professional correspondence, take reasonably accurate notes in meetings or write an essay which shows an ability to communicate.
B2	CAN follow or give a talk on a familiar topic or keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics.	CAN scan texts for relevant information, and understand detailed instructions or advice.	CAN make notes while someone is talking or write a letter including non-standard requests.
B1	CAN express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited way or offer advice within a known area, and understand instructions or public announcements.	CAN understand routine information and articles, and the general meaning of non-routine information within a familiar area.	CAN write letters or make notes on familiar or predictable matters.
A2	CAN express simple opinions or requirements in a familiar context.	CAN understand straightforward information within a known area, such as on products and signs and simple textbooks or reports on familiar matters.	CAN complete forms and write short, simple letters or postcards related to personal information.
A1	CAN understand basic instructions or take part in a basic factual conversation on a predictable topic.	CAN understand basic notices, instructions or information.	CAN complete basic forms, and write notes, including times, dates and places.

Find out more about the ALTE Can Do statements

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Cambridge English was involved in the development of the CEFR, and remains involved in its further development through projects such as English Profile
The CEFR describes language ability on a scale of levels from A1 for beginners up to C2 for those who have mastered a language.
The CEFR makes it easy for anyone involved in language teaching and testing (learners, teachers, teacher trainers, etc.) to see the level of different qualifications.
The CEFR allows employers and educational institutions to compare qualifications and see how they relate to exams they already know in their own country.

Find out more about the CEFR

Delivering the European Survey on Language Competences

Cambridge English led an international team of experts in the fields of language assessment, questionnaire design, sampling, translation processes and psychometrics to deliver a unique languages survey for the European Community.

The Survey, the first of its kind, was proposed by the European Commission to provide data about the demographic, social, economic and educational situations that affect linguistic proficiency. There is currently no comparable data of this kind.

The results of this groundbreaking work are set to revolutionise understanding on how languages are taught and learned throughout Europe.

Go to SurveyLang website