ABOUT CAMBRIDGE ESOL

Can Do summary
The tables below give some examples at each Cambridge English: Young Learners level of typical general ability, plus ability in each of the skill areas and
in a range of contexts (social & leisure and school). These statements are linked to the CEFR.

Starters
Typical abilities Listening & Speaking
Overall general ability CAN understand simple sentences about things around
them, like ‘This is a chair’, ‘I like my school’, ‘That’s my
pen’.
CAN respond to personal questions on topics such as age,
family and their home.
Social & Leisure CAN understand simple expressions of communication,
such as ‘Hello’, ‘How are you?’, ‘Thank you’.
CAN respond to simple expressions of communication
with ‘Yes, please’, ‘Sorry’, ‘I don’t understand’.
School CAN understand and follow simple classroom instructions
given by the teacher, such as ‘Open your book’, ‘Read the
question’, ‘Listen to me’.
CAN listen to and repeat words and phrases appropriate
to the level after their teacher.
Reading & Writing
CAN recognise the letters of the English alphabet.
CAN write the letters of the English alphabet and spell
their name and simple words.
CAN read short, simple words and the names of some
objects, such as animals, toys, clothes.
CAN write simple sentences about themselves and their
family.
CAN understand simple written instructions, for example
how they should do an exercise in their course book.
CAN recognise and copy words, phrases and short
sentences from a text, a book, or the board in the
classroom.

Movers
Typical abilities Listening & Speaking
Overall general ability CAN agree or disagree with someone, using phrases such
as ‘I think so’, ‘You are right’, ‘I don’t think so’.
CAN ask questions and use fixed expressions, such as
‘How much is/are …?’, ‘What’s the matter?’, ‘I’m good
at …’.
Social & Leisure CAN understand when somebody talks about their family
or friends in simple sentences.
CAN ask somebody about how they are and what they like
doing and answer similar questions.
School CAN understand instructions given by the teacher in the
classroom, such as ‘You must do this’, ‘Take off your coats’.
CAN ask questions about school activities, for example
classroom tasks, homework, holidays.
Reading & Writing
CAN understand simple sentences if they read them
slowly and several times.
CAN write simple sentences, using words given to them.
CAN understand simple stories and shorter texts with the
help of pictures and drawings.
CAN write about what they like doing in their free time,
using words given to them.
CAN understand signs and simple notices.
CAN continue a story or text that has been started in
English or add words that are missing.

Flyers
Typical abilities Listening & Speaking Reading & Writing
Overall general ability CAN say that they do not understand something or cannot CAN understand longer texts about everyday topics, even
do something, and ask for help, using expressions such as if they do not know all the words.
‘Could you say it again, please?’.
CAN use a dictionary to help them understand a word
CAN talk about a problem in simple terms. they do not know.
Social & Leisure CAN arrange with friends to do something or play CAN write a short message on a postcard or in an email.
together.
CAN write about how they feel and give reasons why, in
CAN make and respond to invitations, suggestions, simple sentences.
apologies and requests.
School CAN understand audio and video clips used in the English CAN write short dialogues, for example in speech bubbles,
lesson. picture stories, comics.
CAN talk briefly about things they have done, for example CAN make up a story in English using ideas, pictures or
about their favourite holiday. words that the teacher gives them.

CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: YOUNG LEARNERS HANDBOOK FOR TEACHERS 5