CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH × SCHOOL PATHWAYS

See the current stage, next step and evidence at a glance

Age explains the rhythm; authentic ability, school learning and stage evidence connect inside every learning unit.

Explore the eight-level pathway
Learners collaborating on an English classroom task
Pre A1 → C28 independent levels · 5 growth stages

PROGRAMME RHYTHM · EIGHT LEVELS · ENTRY EVIDENCE

From Starters to C2, see how ability grows at every step

Choose a level to see its common cycle, entry evidence, learning priorities and completion evidence. Age only explains a common rhythm; learning history, recent work, teacher judgement and real assessment determine the starting point.

01FoundationsLanguage environment · phonics02YLEStarters · Movers · Flyers03A2 → B1KET · PET04B2 → C2FCE · CAE · CPE

03 · A2 · Young-learner A2 bridge

Transition

A2 Flyers

Can understand simple written information and conversations and express views, experiences and basic reasons on familiar topics.
Common learning cycle
Part of the Flyers-to-Key bridge
Entry evidence
Stable Movers evidence with sustained listening and reading
Learning priority
Build sustained listening and cross-sentence integration
School connection
Reading speed, detail location and basic inference
Completion evidence
Longer texts, basic inference and multi-sentence expression reach the A2 bridge

Can understand simple written information and conversations and express views, experiences and basic reasons on familiar topics.

Programme stage
Young-learner A2 bridge
Common cycle
Part of the Flyers-to-Key bridge
Entry evidence
Stable Movers evidence with sustained listening and reading
Completion evidence
Longer texts, basic inference and multi-sentence expression reach the A2 bridge
Age guidance only explains a common learning rhythm. Flyers and A2 Key both sit at CEFR A2. They serve different learner ages, tasks and exam formats; moving between them is not an automatic level promotion. Entry should use recent work, learning history, teacher judgement and current assessment evidence.

PROGRAMME RHYTHM IN PRACTICE

Every stage has entry evidence, a learning rhythm and completion evidence

These rhythms follow the current programme brochure and explain long-term pacing. Actual entry and sessions depend on recent work, teacher judgement, assessment and the campus plan.

01Ages 3–5.5 foundations144-session design example

From oral language and themes to phonics and picture-book expression

02Ages 4.5–6 bridge15-session bridge example

Check instructions, letter sounds, sentences and learning routines

03StartersCommon one-year cycle

Complete a first full four-skill task set

04MoversCommon one-year cycle

Move from sentences to short texts and connected expression

05Flyers → KETCommon 1.5–2-year bridge

Bridge young-learner A2 to practical A2 without age-based promotion

06PETCommon one-year cycle

Build B1 longer reading, complete writing and sustained interaction

07FCECommon 1.5–2-year cycle

Move into B2 complex reading, multi-genre writing and discussion

08CAE → C2Personalised by real use

Set the endpoint around academic, professional and precision needs

How each unit connects both pathways

Not two parallel courses, but five connected moves

01

Original themes

Build language through meaningful contexts

02

Four-skill building

Turn input into usable language

03

School connection

Connect school vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing

04

Task transfer

Add format and timing after the goal is clear

05

Stage review

Use evidence to set the next priorities

FROM PRE A1 TO C2

Find the next learning priority by ability

Every level has its own ability goals, learning priorities and exam format; age is not a level.

View the full ability ladder
Pre A1
YLEPre A1 Starters

Begin with familiar words, pictures and short interactions across listening, speaking, reading and writing.

  • Connect sounds, letters and frequent words
  • Understand pictures and complete sentence-level tasks
A1
YLEA1 Movers

Move from words and sentences to short connected texts and more sustained communication on familiar topics.

  • Move from sentences to short connected texts
  • Locate people, places and details in listening
A2
YLEA2 Flyers

Handle longer texts in child-friendly contexts and bridge toward independent A2 use.

  • Build sustained listening and cross-sentence integration
  • Understand longer child-friendly texts and story logic
A2
SchoolsA2 Key for Schools

Show the ability to understand basic information, complete practical reading and writing, and take part in simple communication.

  • Practical texts, contextual vocabulary and information matching
  • Email, note and picture-story writing
B1
SchoolsB1 Preliminary for Schools

Move toward independent English use through longer texts, sustained listening, complete writing and interactive speaking.

  • Main ideas, detail, inference and structure in longer texts
  • Complete emails, articles or stories
B2
SchoolsB2 First for Schools

Handle complex texts, language use, writing and discussion confidently across broader study and everyday topics.

  • Accuracy and pace in Reading and Use of English
  • Multi-genre writing, argument and audience awareness
C1
AdvancedC1 Advanced

For high-level study, work and international communication, with precise comprehension and flexible language use.

  • Complex discourse, implied meaning and precise language control
  • Advanced writing such as essays, proposals, reports and reviews
C2
AdvancedC2 Proficiency

Use English with very high flexibility and precision in demanding academic and professional contexts.

  • Highly complex texts, semantic nuance and rhetorical judgement
  • Synthesis, evaluation and style control in demanding writing

Chosen a target level? Review its assessment

Choose a fixed level from learning history, recent work and teacher judgement, then review current options and use the report to plan the next step.

View assessments