The Cambridge English Young Learners (YLE) system’s first test, Pre A1 Starters, is designed for children in elementary school. By taking this exam and obtaining the Starters certificate (which corresponds to Pre A1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) children can begin to understand English from books, songs and movies. Even connect with friends from around the world.
Cambridge offers 9 easy English learning activities that cater to learners at the Starters level. Parents are encouraged to motivate their children to try out these activities specially designed by Cambridge.
1. Learning English through the song “At the Zoo”
Most children enjoy singing and having fun while learning. When parents/teachers use songs to teach English to children, it can have the following benefits:
- Motivate children to listen and sing along to English melodies.
- Help children quickly learn and remember new English words.
- Promote other learning activities and build confidence in children.
Simple English songs like “At the Zoo” can help children visually and easily learn and remember new words. The song video includes subtitles allowing children to sing along and enthusiastically practice their vocabulary.
“At the Zoo,” which features the well-known English children’s song “The Wheels on the Bus,” narrates the tale of a family who visits the zoo and names the animals there. The song’s lyrics include carefully chosen terms from Cambridge’s Pre A1 Starters English vocabulary list that are typical English words that kids would come across on the actual exam.
Recommended activities with the song:
- Look at the pictures and mark them with a checkmark or X next to the sentences.
- Read the provided sentence and write Yes/No according to the song’s content.
- Look at the picture, arrange the letters to form the correct word.
- Fill in the appropriate word in the blank space.
- Answer the question, writing only one word.
Parents can view details and download the PDF of these suggested activities for their children to complete HERE.
2. What is it? – Naming animals exercise
A vocabulary game using adorable illustrations to acquaint kids with the names of common English animals, such goats and giraffes. As soon as the youngster chooses an answer and hits the “submit” button, the answers will show up.
Children can complete the exercise HERE.
3. The body: Vocabulary about “The human body”
Children will look at given letters to write the correct words related to the “Human Body” theme. This exercise helps children practice spelling new words and supports the Reading & Speaking section of the Pre A1 Starters exam.
Children can complete the exercise HERE.
4. Where is the…?: Getting acquainted with illustrations of food & drinks
Children will look at given illustrations and identify whether it is food or a drink by clicking on the answer.
Children can complete the exercise HERE.
5. At the beach!: Vocabulary about “At the beach”
Children listen to audio and drag a picture onto its location in a larger image. This exercise enhances listening skills and the ability to follow directions.
Children can complete the exercise HERE.
6. Which is correct?: Listen and choose the correct answer
Children listen to the audio and answer questions by selecting one of the three given pictures.
Children can complete the exercise HERE.
7. A day with my family: Vocabulary about the family
Children listen to the audio and place a picture in the correct spot, within a larger picture. This exercise helps improve their ability to follow instructions, which’s a skill tested in the Speaking section of Pre A1 Starters.
Children can complete the exercise HERE.
8. This is a…: Vocabulary about household items
Children become familiar with vocabulary about common household items by viewing illustrations and selecting the correct answer.
Children can complete the exercise HERE.
9. Things in a classroom: Vocabulary about classroom objects
This activity helps children learn new words related to objects in a classroom.
Children can complete the exercise HERE.
If your child finds these suggested activities for Pre A1 Starters English level easy, it may indicate that they have a higher English level than Pre A1 Starters. In that case, parents should switch to activities suggested for higher levels like A1 Movers HERE or A2 Flyers HERE.
