NEA GERMANIKA LANGUAGE CENTRE IS NOW A CAMBRIDGE CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION CENTRE
On 22 October, alongside the parents’ meetings marking the start of the new school year at the language school, a presentation was held in the conference hall of the House of Science and Technology in Kardzhali introducing NEA GERMANIKA LANGUAGE CENTRE as a teaching and examination centre for preparing candidates for and conducting University of Cambridge certificate examinations in Kardzhali and the surrounding region. Special guests at the event were Mrs Malena Nikolova from BRITANICA Cambridge English Language Assessment Centre, which will conduct the examinations on-site at NEA GERMANIKA LANGUAGE CENTRE, and Mrs Svetla Mavrodieva, Cambridge English Language Assessment consultant for Bulgaria, part of the University of Cambridge, who gave a presentation on the benefits and advantages of Cambridge certificates for children and adults.
We spoke with NEA GERMANIKA director Svetla Zhelyazkova about the opportunities that successfully passing these examinations can offer.
– Mrs Zhelyazkova, how was NEA GERMANIKA LANGUAGE CENTRE selected as a Cambridge certificate examination centre?
– Representatives from BRITANICA Cambridge English Language Assessment Centre came here to familiarise themselves with our facilities. They are one of the three accredited centres in Bulgaria authorised to conduct University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. They administer all Cambridge English examinations – FCE, CAE, CPE, KET, PET and YLE. The representatives were pleasantly surprised by the facilities and teaching team we have at the Language Centre, so their choice was certainly no coincidence. I don’t want this to sound like boasting, but we are one of the few language centres in Kardzhali that strive to maintain both good facilities and a young, highly motivated teaching team. Our teachers, in turn, make every effort to adopt and apply the latest innovative methods in foreign language teaching. We place particular emphasis on what is known as the communicative approach to language learning. Above all, we aim to teach our students to speak the language, while, of course, remembering that grammar and spelling are also important. I seem to have strayed a little from the subject, so let me return to the question. I would like to emphasise that Cambridge certificates do not expire, which sets them apart and gives them a significant advantage over other internationally recognised certificates such as IELTS and TOEFL.
– What are FCE and CAE certificates?
If you wish to study or work abroad, you will need a certificate confirming your level of English proficiency. As I have already mentioned, Cambridge certificates do not expire and are recognised by many universities and employers around the world. The FCE certificate corresponds to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and is recognised by many universities and businesses as proof of upper-intermediate English proficiency. FCE consists of five papers: Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening and Speaking.
CAE corresponds to level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and is recognised by universities in the United Kingdom and the United States. It is an advanced-level examination that assesses the ability to communicate fluently in English. CAE also consists of five papers: Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening and Speaking.
– What opportunities do these certificates offer?
– A Cambridge certificate is a major advantage, whether you are applying for a job or seeking to study in Bulgaria or abroad. It is proof of language skills recognised by employers, universities and government organisations worldwide. Obtaining such a certificate opens the door to many new opportunities for young people. Whatever they wish to use their language skills for, Cambridge certificates can help them in their future careers and personal development. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people around the world, including in Bulgaria, take Cambridge examinations to apply for jobs or advance their careers. Many employers, including leading names in their respective fields, require Cambridge certificates because they know these are a reliable indicator of English proficiency.
– What about younger children? Can they also obtain Cambridge certificates?
First, I would like to emphasise that the main focus of our meeting and the presentation given by Mrs Svetla Mavrodieva was precisely on Cambridge certificates for children. These certificates are also internationally recognised. However, given the children’s age, they cannot use them to apply for jobs or university admission; their main purpose is to certify their level of English proficiency. The examinations are designed to assess students’ knowledge and ability to use the language. The tests assess the English proficiency of beginners aged 7-12. The examination materials are based on topics and activities that are familiar to children. The tests assess the four main language skills – Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing – to provide an overall picture of their language level. There are three certificate levels: Starters, Movers and Flyers. Starters and Movers correspond to level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Flyers is the highest level and corresponds to level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages; it is also equivalent in language level to KET (Key English Test). The benefits for children are enormous because they receive intensive English language training from an early age and achieve levels that would otherwise typically be reached by the end of secondary education or during the early years at specialised language high schools. In addition, they gain experience in taking certificate examinations, meaning that later exams such as FCE and CAE or IELTS and TOEFL will be much less daunting for them, thanks to their experience with this type of examination and their strong language skills.
– Is there interest in the Kardzhali region, considering its lower level of economic development compared with the capital, for example?
– Although this is our first year preparing candidates for and conducting Cambridge certificate examinations, interest from all sides has been very strong. This is particularly noticeable among children. In my opinion, this is because parents understand that these certificates open up enormous opportunities for future development and employment. I believe this also shows that Bulgarians are resourceful and have always invested in their children’s education, regardless of the circumstances.
