Cambridge Primary English as a Second Language
Curriculum outline
Cambridge Primary starts learners typically aged 5 to 11 years on an exciting educational journey,setting out what they should be able to do at each stage of their primary education. It develops
young learners who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged. The programme
develops skills and understanding in English, English as a Second Language, mathematics, science
and Cambridge Global Perspectives™.
There is a curriculum framework for each Cambridge Primarysubject. Each framework is organised into six stages. They
reflect the teaching target for each year group and provide
comprehensive learning objectives.
We organise the Cambridge Primary English as a Second
Language curriculum in five content areas or ‘strands’. Eachstrand is further divided into ‘sub-strands’. The framework
promotes an enquiry-based approach to learning, develops
thinking skills and encourages intellectual engagement.
The five strands are:•••Reading
Writing••

Listening
Speaking

Use of English

The curriculum provides a comprehensive set of progressive
learning objectives for learners of English as a SecondLanguage. These are based on the Council of Europe’s
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which isused widely both within and beyond Europe to map learners’
progression in English. The framing of learning objectives
as a progressive can-do sequence should encourage the useof learning-centred, activity-based approaches by teachers
in the implementation of the curriculum frameworks.

Our Cambridge Primary English as a Second Language
curriculum framework was created by our sisterorganisation Cambridge Assessment English, theworld’s leading provider of qualifications for learnersand teachers of English.

The Cambridge Primary English as a Second Language
curriculum framework provides a solid foundation for thenext stages of education, such as Cambridge Lower Secondary.
Below and on the following pages, you will find examples
from the Speaking strand for stages 1, 3 and 5 of theCambridge Primary English as a Second Language curriculum.

Stage 1
Strand: Speaking•Make and respond to basic statements related topersonal information.

•Ask questions in order to find out about a limited rangeof personal information and classroom routines.

•Use a limited range of basic words, phrases and sentences
related to classroom objects, activities and routines.

•Respond to basic questions on classroom anddaily routines.

••

Use words and phrases to describe people and objects.
Contribute suitable words and phrases to pair, groupand whole-class exchanges.

•Take turns when speaking with others in a limited rangeof short, basic exchanges.

•Express basic likes and dislikes.

Cambridge Primary English as a Second Language – Curriculum outline

Stage 3
Strand: Speaking

Stage 5Strand: Speaking•

Provide basic information about themselves at sentencelevel on a limited range of general topics.

•Provide basic information about themselves and others
at discourse level on a range of general topics.

•Ask questions to find out general information on a limited
range of general and curricular topics.

•Ask questions to find out general information on a range
of general and curricular topics.

•

Give an opinion at sentence level on a limited range ofgeneral and curricular topics.

•

Give an opinion at discourse level on an increasing range
of general and curricular topics.

•Use basic vocabulary for an increasing range of generaland curricular topics.

••

Organise talk at sentence level using basic connectors
on a limited range of general and curricular topics.

Respond, with limited flexibility, at both sentence anddiscourse level to unexpected comments on a range ofgeneral and curricular topics.

••

Communicate meaning clearly using phrases and simple
sentences during pair, group and whole-class exchanges.

Organise talk at discourse level using appropriate
connectors on a range of general and curricular topics.

••

Keep interaction going in short, basic exchanges ona limited range of general and curricular topics.

Communicate meaning clearly at sentence and discourse
level during pair, group and whole-class exchanges.

••

Relate basic stories and events on a growing range ofgeneral and curricular topics.

Keep interaction going in longer exchanges on a range
of general and curricular topics.

•Relate some extended stories and events on a limited
range of general and curricular topics.

How can I access the full curriculum framework?
Only schools offering Cambridge Primary can access the full curriculum framework.

•If you are a Cambridge Primary school, you can download the full curriculum framework from our passwordprotected Cambridge Primary support site.

•If you are a Cambridge school and would like to offer Cambridge Primary, complete and return our Additional
Qualification Types form.

•If you are not a Cambridge school and would like to find out more about Cambridge Primary, complete our Expressionof Interest form at www.cambridgeinternational.org/join

Learn more! For details of Cambridge Primary, go to www.cambridgeinternational.org/primaryor contact our Customer Services team at info@cambridgeinternational.org or call them on +44 1223 553554.

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Copyright © UCLES April 2019