Cambridge Certificates
Passports to the British Universities
Recognized throughout the world, the certificates awarded by the famous Cambridge University are proof of linguistic qualifications that can prove useful both for higher education and professionally. Using the standards defined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages these exams can now easily be compared to other exams.
The First Certificate
The SIS Chaville-Sèvres strongly encourages students to sit this exam in troisième (final year of Jr. High School) or in seconde (first year of high school) for those who join the SIS in seconde and enter the Cambridge group. This certificate attests to an advanced intermediate level. It comprises both a written and oral component, and corresponds to level B2 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Candidates must be at ease in the language for both every day usage and use at school.
IGCSE
In seconde, the SIS recommends that students take the IGCSE in English (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) in two subjects: English Literature (1 test) and English First Language (2 tests), out of the hundreds offered by Cambridge. The IGCSE is the equivalent of the GCSE taken by all students in the United Kingdom. It is on the same level as O Levels (Ordinary Levels) and is controlled by the UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate), one of the official bodies supervising British examinations. UCLES also supervises the English component of the International Option Baccalaureate.
Passing the IGCSE requires the same competence in English as students taking the GCSE. The program is however, adapted so that it can be taken by international students and by those for whom English is not the mother tongue.
We strongly recommend that our students take this exam which generally takes place in May. Among other things it is an excellent preparation for the OIB. The language and literature components take the form of written tests. Work done in class in troisième and seconde also count towards the result. For students joining the SIS in seconde, this work can be accomplished without difficulty in the space of that year.
Cambridge Advanced Exam (CAE)
Students are invited to sit the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) in première (the second year of high school). It corresponds to level C1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It generally takes place in March. The CAE attests to an ability to communicate confidently in English in a work or academic setting. It is useful for pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom.
Cambridge Proficiency Exam (CPE)
The last exam in the series is the Cambridge Proficiency Exam (CPE), which generally is held in the month of December. It corresponds to level C2 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and is the most difficult of the exams offered by Cambridge. It attests to an excellent level of both written and spoken English. A student who passes the CPE is as at ease in English as a student who has received his entire education in an English-speaking country. It is particularly useful for any student wishing to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom.
Practical details: The SIS organizes registration for the exams. Registration fees vary from 120 to 150 euros depending on the exam. Testing takes place at the Collège or Lycée in Sèvres.
The Certificates in brief:
|
Dernière modification le 16-02-08 par
