Firstly, a big thank you for everything you do to support your learners. We hope the tips, resources and activities we’ve shared have helped inspire your teaching. Let’s look back at some of your favourite content from the year:
1. Speakingguides for teachers
With practical tips and real examples, the guides help you assess and develop learners’ speaking skills in preparation for their Speaking test. Simply click on ‘Teacher essentials’ to access the right level for your students.
With seven 10–20-minute exercises each for primary, lower secondary and upper secondary students, our classroom warmers encourage your learners to engage from the moment they enter the classroom.
3. Free photocopiable exam practice tasks Looking for extra exam task practice for your students? Download the free Exam Booster photocopiable exam resources for:
Watching classics like Home Alone, Love Actually and The Polar Express helps students improve listening, vocabulary and cultural understanding while enjoying the holiday magic.
They also provide examples of natural expressions that learners can use in everyday English.
Get ahead for January with a brand-new lesson plan about living in a city. Students practise listening, speaking and writing skills at B1–B2 level, and you can split the activities across two lessons or give out some of the tasks as homework.
The 2025 Cambridge Dictionary Word of the Year is 🥁 – parasocial. This word describes the one-sided connections people form with celebrities, fictional characters or even AI.
Use our classroom ideas pack to explore how this word can spark vocabulary, reading, writing and discussion activities in your English lessons. For example, why not try setting a writing task where students write a short fan message to a celebrity, character or AI?
From June 2026, the paper-based exam for A2 Key will be withdrawn. It will still be available as a digital exam. A2 Key for Schools will continue in both paper-based and digital formats. Find out more information at our support site.
Our next webinars 🗓️
The value of digital assessment for young learners
How can we make assessment a source of motivation for young learners, rather than just a checkpoint?
Register for this session and discover practical resources and classroom activities using digital assessment tools that inspire learners’ curiosity, build confidence and celebrate their achievements.
Tuesday 13 January, 11:00 (CET)
Thursday 15 January, 17:00 (CET)
Teaching speaking skills to primary learners
Register for this session to learn practical strategies for creating an engaging classroom environment and build your confidence to teach and assess speaking effectively.
Join us as we explore techniques for encouraging interaction through simple, structured activities, scaffolding language with prompts and visuals, and balancing fluency with accuracy.
Tuesday 27 January, 11:00 (CET)
Thursday 29 January, 17:00 (CET)
Thanks again for all your hard work this year. Look out for even more tips, activities and resources coming soon in 2026!
Best wishes
The Cambridge team – English
Cambridge University Press & Assessment, C/ José Abascal, 56 1º, 28003, Madrid, Spain
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