Young Learners English Tests (YLE) - Handbook for Teachers - Starters, Movers and Flyers

Sep 30, 2026

Handbook for teachers of Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE), explaining the purpose and structure of the Starters, Movers and Flyers assessments. It outlines the aims of the tests, how they form a bridge from beginner to basic user level (A2), and how topics and vocabulary reflect commonly used classroom materials. It also presents the exam format with listening, reading & writing, and speaking timings and task numbers across the three levels, plus guidance sections for preparation and support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages69

Reading Time2 h 54 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Introduction to Cambridge English: Young Learners

Who is Cambridge English: Young Learners for?

What level are the tests?

Special circumstances

Support

Exam sessions

Further information

The three syllabuses

Can Do summary

Starters

Listening

Reading & Writing

Speaking

Topics

Grammar and structures list

Alphabetic vocabulary list

Movers

Listening

Reading & Writing

Speaking

Topics

Grammar and structures list

Alphabetic vocabulary list

Flyers

Listening

Reading & Writing

Speaking

Topics

Grammar and structures list

Alphabetic vocabulary list

Combined Lists

Starters and Movers combined alphabetic vocabulary list

Starters, Movers and Flyers combined alphabetic vocabulary list

Starters, Movers and Flyers combined thematic vocabulary list

Starters, Movers and Flyers combined grammatical vocabulary list

Young Learners Young Learners English Tests (YLE) Handbook for Teachers Starters Movers Flyers The three levels Cambridge English: Young Learners consists of three key levels of assessment: Starters, Movers and Flyers. The aims of the tests are to: ʺ sample relevant and meaningful language use ʺ measure accurately and fairly ʺ present a positive ﬁrst impression of international tests ʺ promote effective learning and teaching ʺ encourage future learning and teaching. The three tests together form a bridge to take children learning English as a second language from beginner to basic user level (A2) . A wide range of text books and teaching materials which are used in classrooms with young learners throughout the world are reviewed as part of the ongoing test development process. The tests reﬂect the main content areas which frequently occur in these materials (topic, vocabulary, etc. ) as does the presentation of the test material. Both text and pictures are presented in a clear and attractive way, taking into account the age and background of the intended candidates. The table below indicates the common characteristics and variations in the different levels of the tests. | Overall length | Number of tasks/parts | Number of items | | --- | --- | --- | Starters | Listening | approx 20 mins | 4 | 20 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Reading & Writing | 20 mins | 5 | 25 | | Speaking | 3–5 mins | 5 | – | | Total | total approx 45 mins | | | Movers | Listening | approx 25 mins | 5 | 25 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Reading & Writing | 30 mins | 6 | 40 | | Speaking | 5–7 mins | 4 | – | | Total | total approx 65 mins | | | Flyers | Listening | approx 25 mins | 5 | 25 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Reading & Writing | 40 mins | 7 | 50 | | Speaking | 7–9 mins | 4 | – | | Total | total approx 75 mins | | | CONTENTS | Preface
This handbook contains the speciﬁcations for all three levels of Cambridge English: Young Learners – Starters, Movers and Flyers. It is designed for use by teachers who are preparing candidates for the tests, or who are considering doing so. | | | --- | --- | | For further information on any of the Cambridge English examinations and teaching qualiﬁcations, or if you need further copies of this handbook, please email [ESOLinfo@CambridgeESOL.org](ESOLinfo@CambridgeESOL.org) | | Contents About Cambridge ESOL 2 The world’s most valuable range of English qualifications 2 Key features of Cambridge English exams 2 Proven quality 2 Introduction to Cambridge English: Young Learners 3 Who is Cambridge English: Young Learners for? 3 What level are the tests? 3 Special circumstances 3 Support 4 Exam sessions 4 Further information 4 The three syllabuses 4 Can Do summary 5 Starters 6 Listening 6 Reading & Writing 9 Speaking 11 Topics 12 Grammar and structures list 13 Alphabetic vocabulary list 15 Movers 19 Listening 19 Reading & Writing 21 Speaking 23 Topics 24 Grammar and structures list 25 Alphabetic vocabulary list 27 Flyers 31 Listening 31 Reading & Writing 33 Speaking 35 Topics 36 Grammar and structures list 37 Alphabetic vocabulary list 39 Combined Lists 43 Starters and Movers combined alphabetic vocabulary list 43 Starters, Movers and Flyers combined alphabetic vocabulary list 48 Starters, Movers and Flyers combined thematic vocabulary list 55 Starters, Movers and Flyers combined grammatical vocabulary list 61 CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: YOUNG LEARNERS HANDBOOK FOR TEACHERS 1 About Cambridge ESOL Cambridge English: Young Learners, also known as Cambridge Young Learners English (YLE), is developed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), a not-for-proﬁt department of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge ESOL is one of three major exam boards which form the Cambridge Assessment group (Cambridge Assessment) . More than 8 million Cambridge Assessment exams are taken in over

FAQs

What are the aims of the Young Learners English Tests (YLE)?

The tests aim to sample relevant and meaningful language use, measure accurately and fairly, create a positive first impression, promote effective learning and teaching, and encourage future learning.

How do the three YLE levels connect in terms of learner progression?

Taken together, Starters, Movers and Flyers provide a bridge for children learning English as a second language, moving from beginner toward a basic user level (A2).

What is the overall format and approximate duration of each level’s test?

Starters lasts about 45 minutes, Movers about 65 minutes, and Flyers about 75 minutes, each combining listening, reading & writing, and speaking, with speaking duration and task counts varying by level.

Sep 30, 2026

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