Pearson offers GenZ a fun way to learn English with the launch of tablet based test

LONDON, 21-Sep-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — Pearson, the digital education company, today announced the launch of English Benchmark Young Learners – a tablet based test that offers GenZ a fun way to interact and learn, on the devices they prefer to use.

English Benchmark Young Learners is aimed at 6-13 year olds in private language and primary schools and measures speaking, listening, reading and writing through fun and engaging tablet based assessments.

The test bridges a gap in the market for students between informal teacher marked tests and external high-stakes exams. It can be taken at any time, rather than being restricted by set test dates, only takes 20-40 minutes time to complete and delivers results near enough instantaneously through its patented automated scoring technology.

As such, this test gives parents insight into their children’s English ability and helps monitor their progress, without the expense or stress of formal exams. Crucially, it also enables teachers to personalise learning by targeting the right skills to improve their students’ future performance.

Benefits:

• Stress-free testing – Beautiful graphics and animations help students feel like they are playing a game instead of taking an English test.
• Tips for improvement – English Benchmark simplifies lesson planning by providing recommendations for what to teach, based on individual students’ performance.
• Informative reports – The scenes and objects within the test design will be familiar to young learners, and include a mix of accents and people. The question style reflects real-life English, asking students to listen and respond, instead of just completing multiple choice questions.
• Frees up teachers – Teachers can focus on lesson planning and content, rather than creating and marking tests.

Freya Thomas Monk, Pearson’s Vice-President of Assessment, English & Schools, said: “GenZ learners and their teachers are increasingly using digital devices as their preferred way of learning and teaching. English Benchmark Young Learners meets this need – it is a flexible, tablet based test that offers students a fun way to interact, making the test less formal and less stressful.

“More than this, the test bridges a gap in the market in linking exams to future learning and courseware needs. It is part of our new generation of assessment, for a new generation of learners.”

Teacher, Pin Lv, AIBE school, Shanghai said: “English Benchmark is very good for teachers and parents to understand children’s progress in listening, speaking, reading and writing, and it is also very convenient.”

Analia Perez, English Language Coordinator, Colegio Israelita Max Nordeau, Mendoza, Argentina, said: “The experience with English Benchmark has been very entertaining for the children because they perceived it as a game; therefore they did not experience anxiety or stress despite it being a test. It was a wonderful experience for us as an institution as well because it was our first time working with this type of tool that will help us grow and improve.”

Launched in China and Turkey this month, with pilots also taking place in Mexico and Argentina, it is planned to roll the product out more widely to other markets from 2019 onwards.

English Benchmark Young Learners has been developed using the Global Scale of English which ensures teachers and learners can easily move between courseware and tests. Information on English Benchmark Young Learners.

ENDS

About Pearson

Pearson is a global digital education company with expertise in educational content and assessment, and a range of teaching and learning services powered by technology. Our mission is to help people make progress through access to better learning. We believe that learning opens up opportunities, creating fulfilling careers and better lives. For more, visit www.pearson.com and follow us on Twitter @Pearson.

Media Contact

Kasia Reardon
kasia.reardon@pearson.com or 07702 512 312.

SOURCE:  Pearson