Assessing writing for Cambridge English Qualifications: A guide for teachers

1. How to assess writing for B2 First for Schools

1.1. Cambridge English Qualifications texts and tasks are designed to reflect real-world communication.

1.1.1. Assesses students' true abilities in English.

1.1.2. Writing is assessed in terms of Content, Communicative Achievement, Organization, and Language.

1.2. The B2 First for Schools written exam consists of two parts and has a total duration of 1 hour and 20 minutes.

2. Extra resources

2.1. Lesson plans and resources for teachers

2.1.1. Free resources for preparing learners.

2.1.2. Free self-study activities for students to practice.

2.2. Webinar recordings about teaching writing and giving feedback

2.2.1. Preparing your learners online for Writing papers.

2.2.2. Improving writing the right (and easy) way.

2.2.3. Different ways to give useful feedback on writing.

2.3. Write & Improve

2.3.1. Write & Improve uses technology developed at the University of Cambridge to mark English.

2.3.2. Learners submit their work and Write & Improve will give it a mark.

2.4. Penfriends

2.4.1. Find English-speaking pen pals to start exchanging cards with your learners.

2.5. Learn more about research into second language learning

2.5.1. Learn more about research into second language learning.

2.6. Blank teacher assessment template for assessing learners’ writing using the Writing

3. Who this guide is for

3.1. Teachers

3.1.1. Helps develop and assess students' writing skills in preparation for the B2 First for Schools exam.

3.1.1.1. Preparation activities should be interactive.

3.1.1.2. The exam can be taken on paper or computer

3.1.1.3. The tests assess the four skills of the English language.

4. How to use this guide

4.1. Must be

4.1.1. Test the practical ideas and reflections.

4.1.1.1. These techniques affect the teaching-learning process.

4.1.2. Discuss different approaches with students.

4.1.2.1. To understand their preferences and needs, and find out which approaches are most helpful to them.

4.1.3. Apply the official evaluation criteria to the written samples.

4.1.3.1. Take note of whether he gave similar marks or made similar comments.

4.1.4. Navigate the document using hyperlinks.

5. Key terminology

5.1. You must know the terminology used by Cambridge.

5.1.1. Learner

5.1.1.1. Person who learns English, in the classroom.

5.1.2. Candidate

5.1.2.1. A person who takes an exam.

5.1.3. Writing Assessment Scale and subscales.

5.1.3.1. For the B2 First for Schools exam, when correcting, the examiner considers: Content, Communicative Achievement, Organization and Language.

5.1.4. Bands (0–5)

5.1.4.1. The set of points goes from zero to five.

6. Understanding the Cambridge English Writing Assessment Scale

6.1. Cambridge English has a specific level for students.

6.1.1. A2 Key for Schools

6.1.1.1. The text is connected by basic linking words.

6.1.2. B1 Preliminary for Schools

6.1.2.1. The text is consistent, uses basic links.

6.1.3. B2 First for Schools

6.1.3.1. The text is organized and coherent, uses a variety of linking words.

7. How to assess and develop learners’ writing skills in the classroom

7.1. It takes time and practice to develop good writing skills.

7.1.1. It can be evaluated by the teacher or by the students themselves.

7.2. To prepare for the B2 First for Schools exam

7.2.1. Students must:

7.2.1.1. Have a lot of practice.

7.2.1.2. Make sure they can write clearly.

7.2.2. Must understand:

7.2.2.1. What they are being tested on in the exam.

7.2.2.2. Your own strengths and weaknesses.

7.2.2.3. How they can improve any areas of weakness.