Cambridge English Teaching Framework

See where you are in your development – and think about where you want to go next – with the Cambridge English Teaching Framework.

All of our teaching qualifications are linked to the framework – it is designed to help you think about the skills you have and the skills you would like to develop. By using the framework, you can:

identify where you are in your development
plan where you would like to be
identify what you can do to get there.

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

This category looks at your understanding of key language learning theories and concepts, your awareness of different learning preferences, and your ability to apply this understanding to plan and facilitate language learning.

More information and resources

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Developing in this category will improve your ability to plan and manage language learning, make effective use of learning resources, understand teaching language systems and skills, and assess learning.

More information and resources

Language Ability

The Language Ability category evaluates your understanding of the language points taught at different levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Developing in this area will improve your ability to use language accurately and appropriately when interacting with learners and other teachers.

More information and resources

Language Knowledge and Awareness for Teaching

This category looks at your understanding of key terms and concepts used to describe language, your use of strategies to check and develop your language awareness, and your ability to apply such knowledge practically in order to facilitate language learning.

More information and resources

Professional Development and Values

Professional Development and Values covers your understanding and practice in the areas of teacher learning, classroom observation, professional development and critical reflection.

More information and resources

Download a summary of the framework

Download a detailed description of the framework categories

Download a full list of competency statements