If you're here, you probably want to know more about the English courses and certifications offered by Cambridge English.
We're talking about the platform that is part of the English program at the University of Cambridge, one of the most renowned institutions in the world.
There, they offer you access to official tests to demonstrate your level of English, but do they actually teach the language? Our experts evaluated the service offered by the website to answer this question. Let's get started!
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What is Cambridge English and how does it work?
Cambridge English is a platform designed for people who want to take an English course with an official certificate of their English level.
The website is part of the UK-based university department and offers material designed by the institution for learning English.
It does not offer live classes with teachers, but rather gives users interested in learning English some tips on how to master the language more quickly and pass some of its official tests.
The material covers everyday topics such as family in English or telling the time in English. In this way, all the content is geared towards helping people to practice the language constantly.
Features of the method:
The English program promoted by the University of Cambridge is based on a communicative approach, meaning that they try to help students first develop their ability to convey their ideas clearly in English.
For this reason, they try to ensure that students can practice the language every day so that they gain confidence and fluency.
All of this is done through dynamic activities that keep people interested in learning. Cambridge English offers free educational games that aim to reinforce all of its students' knowledge.
Which exams and tests are available?
The platform offers a variety of interesting testing options to suit any need, including:
- Pre-A1 Starters (YLE Starters)
- A1 Movers (YLE Movers)
- A2 Flyers (YLE Flyers)
- A2 Key for Schools (KET)
- B1 Preliminary for Schools (PET)
- B2 First for Schools (FCE)
- A2 Key (KET)
- B1 Preliminary (PET)
- B2 First (FCE)
- C1 Advanced (CAE)
- C2 Proficiency (CPE)
- B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary)
- B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage)
- C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher)
They offer basic, intermediate, and advanced tests for children, young people, adults, and even companies. Each test can last up to two hours, depending on the level of difficulty.
How much does it cost to study at Cambridge English?
Before enrolling in any English course, it’s essential to understand how long it will take to achieve your desired level and how much the courses or certifications will cost.
With Cambridge English, all study and preparation materials are available for free, giving users access to practice activities and tips to help them succeed in the exams.
However, the cost of certification depends on both your English level and the location where you take the test. Below are the average prices for Cambridge exams:
- KET (Key English Test): €100 - €150
- PET (Preliminary English Test): €120 - €180
- FCE (First Certificate in English): €180 - €220
- CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): €200 - €250
- CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): €220 - €270.
Advantages and disadvantages of learning English with Cambridge English
Next, we would like to briefly discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of using Cambridge English services to learn English:
Advantages:
International recognition
Cambridge English exams are recognized in many countries around the world, allowing you to demonstrate your level of English and gain access to good job or academic opportunities.
Dynamic and fun content
Its content is based on entertaining activities for users, and it even has some games available for learning English. This makes tedious topics such as English verb tenses a little easier to understand.
Variety of certifications
Cambridge English offers a wide variety of options for obtaining a certificate. This allows students to choose the exam that best suits their abilities, knowledge, and needs.
Disadvantages:
No live classes
This is one of the main drawbacks of Cambridge English, as they do not actually offer live classes with native teachers, which substantially reduces what you can actually learn about the language.
Certification is expensive
The recognition of official university exams is well known, but it cannot be denied that they have a high average cost that is not within the means of many students.
Little content available
Finally, even though the content was designed by professionals, there are few lessons available on their website. In general, only basic topics are covered, such as the use of phrasal verbs to reinforce existing knowledge.
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User reviews
The best way to find out how an English course works is through user reviews.
However, as it is not a traditional classroom platform, we were unable to find reviews about its content or teaching method. We only found comments referring to the official tests:
“We have the results in less than 48 hours. The convenience of doing everything on your computer and also highlighting that it is a very accessible test, it adapts to you, according to your knowledge.”
The platform is praised for delivering quick results after completing the exam. Many users also highlight its ease of use and appreciate that it offers opportunities to improve their scores.
“It's convenient because you're taking your exam in front of a machine in a very dynamic way, and it puts you at ease. Plus, you have three months to retake the part where you got the lowest score and want to improve it.”
Other users simply highlight the importance of learning English in our highly connected society:
“Thanks to a good level of English, you can keep in touch and communicate with people all over the world.”
As mentioned earlier, none of these reviews provide a clear understanding of what Cambridge English lessons are actually like. This lack of transparency can be a drawback for learners, as the platform does not clearly present a structured method for mastering the language despite its promises.
In short, is it worth studying English with Cambridge English?
The impact of Cambridge certifications in opening doors to better opportunities through English is undeniable, as the institution is one of the most recognized worldwide in language education.
However, Cambridge English is not designed as a platform for comprehensive language learning. While it offers free content, it does not provide the depth or structure needed to help learners achieve a level of confidence and fluency in speaking.
The website focuses primarily on helping its users take an official test and obtain certification according to their needs.
Find out what users of other platforms think by reading our article on Ewa Opinions and 8 Belts.
There are other alternatives you can consider if they teach you the language and at the same time offer you a certificate to prove your level of English, among which Papora stands out.
Why do we recommend learning English with Papora?
Papora is an online platform designed by native speakers with a clear purpose: to provide you with the tools you need to master English quickly.
How does it do this? Through live classes with native-level teachers who adapt to the needs and knowledge of their students.
The course is based on lessons about everyday topics such as food in English, combining pronunciation exercises with grammar, but always maintaining a fun methodology.
Unlike Cambridge English, Papora offers you unique content for you to practice and learn in real-time classes with small groups.
All this, along with access to a self-guided course available 24 hours a day, comes at an affordable price that won't be a financial burden for you.
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Frequently asked questions about Cambridge English
No, this platform only offers free material so that users can review everyday topics before taking an official test. Cambridge English focuses mainly on the certifications it offers and not on classes with teachers.
Various certifications are offered there to suit the needs of their students. In this regard, exams for schools, young people, adults, and companies stand out. Each modality allows for tests at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.
