Cambridge English Teaching Framework

The Cambridge English Teaching Framework describes the knowledge and skills an English teacher needs.

It is designed to support your professional development, helping you to:

Identify where you are in your development
Plan where you would like to be and the skills you want to develop
Identify what you can do to get there

All of our teaching qualifications are linked to the framework.

Framework categories, stages and resources

There are five categories of teaching knowledge and skills – each category describes the key competencies for effective teaching at each stage. Each category has four stages of teacher competency: Foundation, Developing, Proficient and Expert.

We have a range of resources and materials to help you improve in each category, so you can start to plan your career development.

Learning and the learner

Looks at your understanding of language-learning concepts and learner preferences, and how you apply them in your teaching.

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Teaching, learning and assessment

Considers your ability to plan, manage and assess language learning, effectively use resources, and teach language systems and skills.

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Language ability

Evaluates your understanding of language taught at different CEFR levels and your ability to use it accurately and appropriately.

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Language knowledge and awareness

Looks at your understanding of language concepts, the ways you develop your language awareness and how you apply your knowledge.

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Professional development and values

Considers your understanding and practice around teacher learning, classroom observation, professional development and critical reflection.

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Download a summary of the framework

Download a detailed description of the framework categories

Download a full list of competency statements