Cambridge English A1 Starters (YLE Starters) – Course Overview for Parents
What Is A1 YLE Starters?
Cambridge English: A1 Starters (YLE Starters) is the first step in the Cambridge English pathway.
It’s designed for children who are just beginning to learn English and helps them gain confidence through games, songs, and simple communication.
At this level, children start to understand and use basic English words and phrases about familiar topics. The focus is on confidence, enjoyment, and gentle language learning.
What Students Learn
Vocabulary Topics
Children learn everyday words and expressions related to:
- Family, home, and school
- Toys, animals, and colours
- Food and drink
- Clothes and body parts
- Numbers, days, and weather
- Simple actions and routines
Grammar Coverage
Children begin to understand and use:
- Simple present tense (I like apples. / She has a cat.)
- Basic plurals and possessives
- Common prepositions (in, on, under, next to)
- Simple adjectives (big, small, happy)
- Basic questions and answers (What’s this? It’s a book.)
Skill Development
- Listening: Recognising words and short phrases.
- Speaking: Naming objects, answering simple questions, short interactions.
- Reading: Matching words with pictures, reading short sentences.
- Writing: Copying words, filling in missing letters, writing short answers.
Exam Expectations (Optional)
If your child takes the A1 Starters test, it includes:
- Listening: Recognising simple words and information.
- Reading and Writing: Basic sentence understanding, matching, and simple writing.
- Speaking: Talking with an examiner using pictures and short answers.
Children receive a Cambridge certificate showing their progress — there is no pass or fail.
Please note, I do not personally offer Cambridge English exams, and I only offer the course content to prepare for these tests.
Prior Knowledge Needed
No previous English experience is required — A1 Starters is the perfect introduction to English learning.
If you’re unsure whether your child should begin at Starters or a higher level, you can book a short levelling session with me to find the best starting point.
You can find out more information about the next level course here, known as YLE Movers.
Why Choose This Course?
A fun, confidence-building introduction to English
Lots of games, songs, and interactive activities
Builds strong foundations for future Cambridge levels
Individual or small-group lessons available
The Growing Way Tuition 