Information for parents

Helping your child to learn English is made a lot easier with our help. Our research team conducts thorough, rigorous work to understand how children learn vocabulary, get to grips with grammar and gain confidence in speaking and writing a language. Using this expertise, we have created a range of free resources full of tips and advice to help support your child as they learn English.

Tips and advice
Having the right knowledge and advice to support your children in their learning is important.

Read our articles

Activities for children
Children can start practising their English with these fun learning activities. They are divided into three levels and focus on reading and writing, listening or speaking.

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Tips delivered to your inbox
Keeping children motivated to learn can be difficult, but we can help. Sign up and receive free tips and activities every week.

Cambridge English exams for children

Our exams are designed and developed to motivate children from a young age right through their teenage years and beyond. They cover all four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking – and bring learning to life.

All our exams are linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – the international standard to describe language ability. This makes it easy to see the progress your child is making in English, and for employers and educational institutions to recognise your child’s ability when they leave school.

See our video How to understand the CEFR

A certificate from Cambridge English will help your child stand out from the crowd and access the best study, work and life opportunities.

Which exam is right for your child?

Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE)
(CEFR Levels pre-A1, A1, A2)
Three fun, activity-based tests designed to motivate your child and show how your child is learning.
Find out more about Cambridge English: Young Learners

Cambridge English: Key (KET) for Schools
(CEFR Level A2)
Shows your child can use everyday English at a basic level.
Find out more about Cambridge English: Key for Schools

Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET) for Schools
(CEFR Level B1)
Shows your child can use everyday English at an intermediate level.
Find out more about Cambridge English: Preliminary for Schools

Cambridge English: First (FCE) for Schools
(CEFR Level B2)
Shows your child can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level for work or study purposes.
Find out more about Cambridge English: First for Schools

Taking English to the highest levels

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
(CEFR Level C1)
The internationally recognised standard to study and work in English-speaking countries.
Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
(CEFR Level C2)
Our highest level exam which shows a person has exceptional English.
Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

What do teachers and students say about our exams?

Students

“Preparing for Cambridge English: First was really useful for me. My English improved a lot. Since that time daily life is much easier for me as I am living in a foreign country where the daily language is English, not my mother tongue.”
– Gisela Raab, Germany

“Oh, we were so proud to receive the prestigious Cambridge English certificates for our Cambridge English: Young Learners exam.”
– Germaine Teh Jhee Wei, Thailand

Teachers

“Preparing pupils for Cambridge exams at an early age, with step-by-step progress and in a safe classroom environment, will empower them to succeed in all levels in the future. They soon realise they are able to do it and look forward to preparing for the next exam.”
– Luciane Calcara, Colégio Farroupilha, Porto Alegre, Brazil

“The tasks are age-appropriate and fun enough for young learners to forget that they are being assessed. Most importantly, while preparing for the tests, students can enhance their real-life communication skills. I think that’s what makes Cambridge English: Young Learners outstanding.”
– Ji Young Kim, English Teacher, South Korea

For more information

Talk to your child’s English teacher

Thousands of schools prepare children for our exams. Find out whether your child’s school is already one of more than 52,000 Cambridge English exam preparation centres around the world.

Find an exam centre near you

If your child’s school is not a Cambridge English preparation centre, contact your local authorised exam centre to find out:

which exam is right for your child
how your child can prepare for the exam
when your child can take it
how to register
how much the exam will cost.

Find a Cambridge English centre near you