Picaro-Academic-Guide

The Blended English Learning Adventure

Academic Guide

Exclusively distributed by
Hachette Antoine S.A.L. in the MENA region

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Academic1G- u4ide

1 What is Picaro?
2 Learning Methodology

- Overview
- Blended Learning
- Gamification

3 Content

- Progress Map
- Curriculum Overview
- Course Structure

4 Components

- Learning Books
- Teacher’s Books
- Online Games
- Online Learning Management System (LMS)
- Picaro Phonics

5 Assessment and Standards

- Cambridge English Language Assessment
- Picaro Assessment
- The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

6 Picaro at Home and at School

- Picaro at School
- Picaro at Home

7 Technical Requirements
8 Appendix
9 Contact Details

1 What is Picaro? 1 What is Picaro?

Picaro is an interactive, multi-level language-
learning course tailored to the Cambridge English:
Young Learners (YLE) curriculum and the Common
European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Overview Young learners using Picaro in
Hungary.
Picaro offers a comprehensive English curriculum for
children aged 6 – 12 with over 400 hours of tuition. Young learners using Picaro activity
It provides step-by-step instruction for teaching 1175 books in Thailand.
English words from the Cambridge English: Young
Learners curriculum.

Picaro consists of an online LMS, online games,
teacher’s books, student’s books, workbooks,
storybooks, songs and phonics materials designed
to support learning in a range of different settings. It
recognises the diverse and increasingly digital needs
of the international classroom.

Picaro has been developed by experts in education
and entertainment: Cambridge English Language
Assessment, Kaplan International English and Fox
International Channels’ Baby TV, so you can be
assured children will have fun while they learn a new
language.

1 www.picaroworld.com

StudeBnoto’ks 2 Workbook TeacBhoeor’ks 2

1 StoryBook_U2_PR_Final.pdf 1 06/12/2013 18:28 1 What is Picaro?

Read at Home with

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Picaro helps develop: ‘(Kids) really like the game and
will behave well to receive game
L istening, speaking, reading and writing skills play time as a reward.’
Cambridge Young Learner test skills - Italy, GGS Scuole
Computer skills
P roblem-solving skills
C ollaborative learning skills
Independent study skills

Components:

Online Learning Teacher’s Online
Games Books Books LMS

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2 Learning Methodology 2 Learning Methodology

Picaro offers a blended approach to learning and
teaching by providing a wealth of online and printed
materials. Online, gamification motivates children to
learn independently through play. Offline, Picaro’s
context-led, collaborative approach to learning, and
its focus on the development of early study skills, fully
supports children in their first steps into English.

Overview Blended Learning

Each Picaro topic is organised into three key stages: Blended Learning is the combination of online and
Presentation, Practice and Consolidation. Added printed resources, providing comprehensive tools for
to this, every fourth topic is a review topic in which today’s classroom.
the content of the last three topics is revisited and
recycled. The benefits of Blended Learning include:

Online, new language is continuously introduced to 1 A seamless link between home-based and class-
suit the learning needs and abilities of each child. based learning
Once a child completes a unit, a new unit with lots of
new topics and games is introduced. 2 The accommodation of a range of learning
preferences
Games are quick, fun and exciting. Each game
encourages replayability and always presents 3 Stress-free assessment and progress checks
something new to strive for. The duration of a game
is dictated by its learning goals. For example, a game 4 The development of a range of IT skills
that practises spelling will move at a slower pace than
a vocabulary revision game. 5 Self-guided and personalised progression
alongside quick, targeted feedback

6 Increased levels of motivation and engagement in
learning

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Gamification 2 Learning Methodology

Gamification is the method of motivating people to Scoring
complete tasks by turning these tasks into fun, exciting counters
or rewarding games. For example, asking children to turn
cards to find matching pairs shifts the focus from study to These allow
play, so that children learn successfully and effortlessly. children to
check their
PresentationPicaro uses this in a familiar space for young people cumulative
progress at a
– online gaming – to motivate and encourage young
learners. glance.

PicParoraRecwtaridcSeystem www.picaroworld.com 4
ConsolidationPicaro’s reward system gives players instant feedback

that both encourages them to keep coming back and also
makes it clear how to get better scores.
There are several reward systems in Picaro, which are all
presented within the ‘Heads Up Display’.
Each of these systems will react in different ways and
gives the player clarity on every click, ensuring they
always know what they are doing, what they should be
doing and how well they are doing it.

Mr Picaro

Mr Picaro gives the player guidance, encouragement
and support throughout the game.

The map

This is how players
navigate the units
and topics that they
have unlocked so far
in the game.

3 Content 3 Content

Picaro’s comprehensive curriculum allows for easy
integration into any English course around the
world. It is structured according to the Cambridge
English: Young Learners curriculum and it can be
used for any child’s first steps into English.
No previous knowledge of English is required.

Progress Map Units 1-4 in Picaro are aligned with Pre- Starters
Units 5-8 in Picaro are aligned with Starters
If children play all of the games in Unit 1-16 of Picaro Units 9-12 in Picaro are aligned with Movers
World, they will have been introduced to all of the Units 13-16 in Picaro are aligned with Flyers
language in the Cambridge English: Young Learners tests.

1000

900

800

700 Cumulative vocabulary count

600

500

Number of words 400

300

200

100

0

1Unit 2Unit 3Unit 4Unit 5Unit 6Unit 7Unit 8Unit 9Unit 1Un0it 1Un1it 1Un2it 1Un3it 1Un4it 1Un5it 1Un6it

Pre-Starters Starters Movers Flyers

Picaro Unit/Level

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Curriculum Overview

Picaro Units 1-4 : Pre- Starters Topics
Picaro Units 5-8 : Starters Topics

Vocabulary Topics the home toys 3 Content
numbers 1-20 transport
animals places and directions weather
the body and the face school the world around us
clothes sports and leisure
colours time
family and friends
food and drink

Starters Grammar and Structures List Q uestion words
H ave + obj + inf
Nouns -ing forms as nouns
Singular and plural including irregular plural forms, L et’s
countable and uncountable and names L ike + v + ing
T here is/there are
Adjectives W ould like + n or v
Including possessive adjectives H appy Birthday
H ere you are
D eterminers M e too
S o do I
Pronouns S tory about +ing
Including demonstrative, personal and possessive, W hat (a/an) +adj +n
interrogative pronouns and ‘one’ W hat now?

V erbs
(Positive, negative, question, imperative and short
answer)

- Present simple
- Present continuous
- Can for ability
- Can for requests/permission
- Have (got) for possessions

A dverbs

C onjunctions

P repositions of place

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Picaro Units 9-12 : Movers Topics

3 Content Vocabulary Topics

(Topics new at this unit are in bold)

animals health time
the body and the face the home toys
clothes transport
colours numbers 1-100 weather
family and friends places and directions work
food and drink school the world around us
sports and leisure

Movers Grammar and Structures List P repositions of time
Q uestion words
I ndirect objects Relative clauses
Comparative and superlative adjectives W hat is/was the weather like?
V erbs What’s the matter?
(Positive, negative, question, imperative and short How/what about + noun or ing
answer forms, including contractions) W hen clauses (not with future meaning)
- Past simple regular and irregular forms Go for a + noun
- Verb + infinitive B e called + noun
- Verb + ing B e good at + noun
- Infinitive of purpose I think/know …
- Want/ask someone to do something
- Must for obligation
- Have (got) to/had to
- Shall for offers
- Could (past form of can)
A dverbs
Comparative and superlative adverbs
C onjunctions

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Picaro Units 13-16 : Flyers Topics

Vocabulary Topics 3 Content

(Topics new at this unit are in bold)

animals the home toys
the body and the face transport
clothes materials weather
colours work
family and friends numbers 1-1000 the world around us
food and drink places and directions
health school
sports and leisure
time

Flyers Grammar and Structures List Where clauses
Before/after clauses (not with future reference)
V erbs Be/look/sound/feel/taste/smell/like
(positive, negative, question, imperative and short Make somebody something + adjective
answer forms, including contractions) W hat time....?
W hat else/next?
- Present perfect S ee you soon/later/tomorrow/etc.
- Be going to B e made of
- Will
- Might
- May
- Shall for suggestions
- Could
- Should

T ag questions

A dverbs

C onjunctions

I f clauses (in zero conditionals)

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3 Content Course Structure

Picaro offers many hours of interactive playing
and learning, designed to introduce children to
different sets of vocabulary and language skills
gradually. At the beginning, children will receive
audio information and instructions.
Later, information and instructions take the form
of text as their reading and writing skills develop.

Level Unit Number Child age Cambridge Young Number of hours to
of topics Learners Test complete each level
1 1-2
2 3-4 40 6 - 7 Pre-Starters Between 60 – 80

40 7 - 8 Pre-Starters Between 60 – 80

3 5-6 40 8 - 9 Starters Between 60 – 80
4 7-8 Between 60 – 80
40 9 - 10 Starters

5 9 - 12 80 10 - 11 Movers Between 80 – 120
6 13 - 16 80 11 - 12 Flyers Between 80 – 120

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How do children progress? 3 Content

Pass marks for each game are set individually
depending on the:

T ype of game

Language covered

L earning objective

Teachers can follow the Picaro curriculum or
select individual topics to fit with their school’s
curriculum.

Successful completion of all the activities in
an online topic is required to pass the unit and
move onto the next. Once a topic is completed,
it can be repeated at any time. As the student
completes each topic, they will unlock the next;
when they complete all of the topics in one unit
they will unlock the next unit.

2-4 1 3 Downloadables
and Other
Pages of Lesson Online Additional
Learning Plan Games Resources

Books

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4 Course Components 4 Course Components Young learners using Picaro activity
books in Thailand.
Learning Books reinforce and
extend classroom learning, while
also promoting cooperative work.
Graded tasks in the books range from
pre-reading to reading and writing
activities.

Picaro Learning Books comprise 16 Student’s StudeBnoto’sk 2 Workbook
Books, Workbooks and Storybooks. They
contain the same visual and learning content TeacBhoeor’ks 2
as the online games. They develop listening,
speaking reading and writing skills through
colourful, engaging and meaningful contexts.

2

Unit 1-4 Student’s Books StudeBnoto’ks 1 StudeBnoto’ks 2 StudeBnoto’ks 3 StudBeonto’ks 4

The Unit 1-4 Student’s Books, provide short, fun
book-based activities to be used as part of play-
based learning for young children. These books
contain sticker inserts and board games that
provide teachers and parents with fun group
and individual activities to use with their class.
At this level, children are not expected to sit and
focus on books for more than a few minutes
at a time and the content of the activity books
reflects this.

In the classroom, teachers and parents can
use the activities alongside the lessons in the
Teacher’s Book or as self-study, early finisher
tasks or homework.

For young learners using Picaro at home,
they can be used for self study with as much
involvement from parents as they wish to give.

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Unit 5-16 Student’s Books 4 Course Components

The Unit 5-16 Student’s Books, provide a
series of activities for children to complete in
sequence during class time. Each topic begins
with a cartoon or story which provides a firm
and relevant context in which new language
can be learned.

Workbooks

Picaro Workbooks provide extensive reading
and writing practice as well as a grammar
review and picture dictionary. As in the
student’s books, the majority of task types
mirror those in the Cambridge Young Learner
tests. These books can easily be used at home
as well as school.

Storybooks StoryBook_Cover5_6_CS5.pdf 1 09/12/2013 15:44 StoryBook_Cover_Final.pdf 7 13/09/2013 14:49 StoryBook_Cover13_15.pdf 1 09/12/2013 15:39

Picaro storybooks are original stories that Read at Home with Read at Home with Read at Home with
allow parents and teachers to support children
in their first steps into English literacy. They C CC
contain activities which enrich the reading M MM
experience at home as well as providing links Y YY
into classroom learning. Each storybook is set CM CM CM
on one of Picaro Galaxy’s planets and features MY MY MY
the language, avatars and characters the CY CY CY
children encounter there. CMY CMY CMY
K KK

U5nit U9nit U1n3it

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4 Course Components Teacher’s Books

The Teacher’s Books provide a range of classroom
activities and tips for each of the 20 topics
contained within each of Picaro’s 16 units. Their aim
is to support teachers in using all the components of
the Picaro course to maximum effect.

The Unit 1-4 Teacher’s Books provide a range of
activities for the play-based classroom. Each topic
contains a range of activities that teachers can use to
promote language practice with notes on how best to
exploit the activity books and online games in class.
The Unit 5-16 Teacher’s Books provide extensive notes
on how to use the Student’s Books. They highlight
opportunities for collaborative learning and promote
young learners’ autonomy with suggestions on how
to place children at the centre of decision-making and
feedback sessions.
The Teacher’s Books also offer tips to help teachers
personalise learning for their students.
Picaro Teacher’s Books have been designed with new
and experienced teachers in mind. They navigate
the full range of course components and provide
structured plans for each topic, which can be adapted,
selected from or followed to the letter as required.

Teacher with students doing an activity
from Teacher’s Books in Hungary.

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The Teacher’s Books contain curriculum maps, 4 Course Components
detailed lesson plans, teaching tips, links
to resources in the online LMS (including
assessment sheets) and unit specific
dictionaries, all of which provide a clear guide to
using Picaro as part of a fully blended classroom
experience.
We have designed our Teacher’s Books to be as
flexible as possible, to account for differences
in:

Teaching time
Technology
Methodology
Resources

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4 Course Components Online Course

Structured practice, frequent review, the
opportunity for self-guided study and regular
rewards and praise ensure children have
the best possible start in developing lasting
language skills. Picaro’s fun, interactive and
engaging games mean that children learn
without even realising they are studying.

The online course is presented to children as Picaro Picaro’s online course features the voices of native
Galaxy, comprising 16 planets, each with a different speakers in a range of fun, fantasy and everyday
theme. Children use avatars to explore each planet in contexts. Vocabulary is presented as single words,
turn, unlocking and playing the games in sequence short phrases and full-sentences to suit the needs and
as they do so. Teachers are able to control children’s abilities of the children as they progress through the
game-play via the online learning management system course.
(LMS) by selecting the games that children are able to
play according to the learning that is taking place in The online games provide the perfect opportunity
their classroom. for highly-motivated learning through play.
Children’s motivation is further increased by
Picaro Galaxy is an imaginary place full of friendly the fact they are guiding their own learning.
characters that children will love and places that will In addition, teachers and parents can assess
spark their creativity. Against this backdrop, the games each child’s learning accurately without the
feature real-world scenarios and everyday objects need for traditional test methods via the LMS.
that provide children with meaningful links to support
successful language learning.

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Visiting Picaro Galaxy

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 4 Course Components

Select your Avatar Hear your Quest Enter Picaro Play Language Games

There are 3 games dedicated to each topic in the ‘They really enjoy the
Picaro curriculum. The first game presents the new graphics, which are
language, the second provides practice with the new colourful and cute...
language and the third checks that children fully they like replaying
understand the new language. Each game can be games up to three or
played as many times as each child requires. four times.’
- Italy, GGS Scuole
Early Picaro games require no previous knowledge of
English and they increase steadily in challenge as the
course progresses. Game types match the task types
in the Cambridge Young Learners tests.

Motivation is maintained by the use of positive
spoken and visual feedback for each success
the child achieves at each stage of game-play.
Unsuccessful attempts generate encouragement to
continue and try again. In this way, children are sure of
their progress and their next steps to success on their
language-learning journey.

1Game 2Game 3Game

TICKETS T

PPrPerreseessenentnattataitotioinonnTICKETSTICKETS PPrParracactcitcticeicee CCoCononsnossoloidlildiadataitotioinonn

TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS

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4 Course Components Online Learning Management System (LMS)

Picaro’s Online Learning Management
System (LMS) allows teachers and parents
to track student progress, tailor a learning
pathway and download extra learning
resources.

What does the LMS provide? Language Information:
Scorecards Grammar glossary
Full word-list
Picaro’s Online Learning Management System Dictionary
(LMS) provides detailed reporting for every enrolled Audio samples
student. A scorecard is generated for each student,
which shows each child’s:

Star reward total
Overall accuracy
Time spent on the topic
Number of attempts at the topic
Latest attempt at the topic

Ranking

Using the LMS, teachers can view how well each
child is performing compared with others in the
class. They can also compare their own class average
with other classes in the school undertaking the
same level of study.
Rankings are calculated based on performance
accuracy.

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Access Control learn 4 Course Components

Within the LMS, teachers can choose to lock and fun
unlock units according to their students’ level of fun
English. Teachers can also lock and unlock topics so
that Picaro fits in with what they are doing in class. fun fun
fun
Downloadable resources

There are numerous resources available on the LMS:

Flashcards There is a set of flashcards available to
support the content of each unit.

Extension Worksheets There is an additional
worksheet available for each of the 20 topics in
each unit. These allow teachers to offer confident
learners additional challenges.

Make-It Activities The templates for the Make-It
Activities in Units 1-4 can be found on the LMS.

learn 19Moving on

a bus driver

20 When Grandma was young learn

Topic Practise telling the story. went nineteeen

ate had made walked 3

33 nineteen Moving on

20learn
2 Monkeyslearn Moving on
a cook
Topic 13 Up the mountain
3 w Complete the crossword.
Across224321....ALtNanivoinetomusinltoeseauidpnpeinlaagccetaivfkoietryaawsphinogrtcatimme
3 Down are anitmwaelnsty

ayst 1. Climbing a mountain is... ingciext
2. pot

3. gryhun

5. tenedfrigh 2 4. Find that you don’t know where you are etg stlo Monkeys artewaennitmyals Moving on
6. tombot 5. ystrith

2 Moving on

6. Needing sleep edtir
7. pam
Moving On: Unit 10
learn
7. OK htrig lla fesa fun
8. Not frightened Horses
are animals.
1w 1 8. OK [nefi]
2
3 x g
4u 3 2t
a
t

5 g 5 4
t e

7 8 6 o 6
7a i t e

8 a Horses are animals Moving on

Moving On 2 : Unit 12

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Picaro Phonics

4 Course Components Picaro Phonics starts by introducing the
most common sounds for each letter of the
alphabet and goes on to develop students’
early reading skills. Students also learn how to
write each letter of the alphabet, spell a range
of common words and form simple sentences.
Our approach to phonics is fun and meaningful,
with strong visual contexts for learning new
sounds and letters.

Course structure

There is one module of Picaro Phonics to every four topics of the Picaro programme, which allows for plenty of
repetition and practice of the range of letters and sounds covered in each section of the course. Each phonics
lesson should only last for about 15 minutes. The content of each module should be practised over a number of
15 minute lessons in order for students to learn it effectively.

Picaro Early Phonics can be completed over the course of one 30-week academic year with students learning
one letter sound per week.

Cambridge Name Picaro Units Coverage
Levels
Picaro Early Phonics Reading: The letter sounds and letter names of the
Pre-level 1 30 modules alphabet
Pre-Starting Out 1 Writing: Shape-making and letter-writing
Picaro Picaro Units
Level 1 Phonics A 1-2 Reading: Letter sounds and common digraphs,
Pre-Starting Out A 20 modules 40 topics blending and segmenting letter sounds to make
CVC words
Level 2 Picaro Picaro Units Writing: CVC words
Pre-Starting Out B Phonics B 3-4 Reading: Letter sounds and more digraphs,
20 modules 40 topics blending and segmenting letter sounds to make CVC
Level 3 and CVCC words
Moving On Picaro Picaro Units Writing: CVC and CVCC words
Phonics C 5-6
Level 4 20 modules 40 topics Reading: Split digraphs, tricky words, homonyms
Flying High and homophones
Picaro Picaro Units Writing: Tricky words
Phonics D 7-8
20 modules 40 topics Reading: Applying phonic skills to read text fluently
Writing: Applying phonic skills to write text
independently

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Course coverage

Picaro Early Phonics is theme-based and its writing Picaro Phonics B introduces a wider range of CVC 4 Course Components
practice workbook is organised alphabetically to words and new word structures. By the end of Picaro
allow for flexibility of use in the classroom. By the end Phonics B, students should be able to read and write
of Picaro Early Phonics, students should be able to a wide range of phonically decodable words as well as
recognise, read and begin to form most of the letters several ‘tricky words’.
of the alphabet.
Picaro Phonics C introduces a range of letter groupings
Picaro Phonics A introduces the most common letter so that students can start to read an increasing
sounds in a sequence, which allows students to start number of words. By the end of Picaro Phonics C,
reading a large number of simple words quickly and students should be able to recognise, read and write a
effectively. By the end of Picaro Phonics A, students wide range of phonically decodable and tricky words.
should be able to read and write all of the letters of They should be starting to form simple sentences with
the alphabet and a small range of consonant-vowel- support.
consonant (CVC) words.
Picaro Phonics D introduces groups of letters with
Course components different spellings and the same sounds (homonyms).
It includes some revision of previously learnt letter
Picaro Early Phonics Picaro Phonics A-D groupings as well as some new letter groupings. By the
end of Picaro Phonics D, students should be able to
read and write a range of words and sentences.

1 Workbook 1 Workbook

1 Handbook 1 Handbook

150 Flashcards 80 Flashcards

30 Learning scenes 20 Learning scenes

1 Quiz Box 1 Quiz Box

How to use the components

The Handbook contains all of the information you The Quiz Box comprises 60 questions in a box that you
need to prepare for each phonics session. It provides can use at any point throughout your English lessons
a sample lesson structure and a range of different to review and test the phonics that the students have
activities you can use to practise phonics in the learnt.
classroom.
The Writing Practice Workbook provides a wealth of
Learning Scenes and flashcards are the main review activities with a strong writing focus for when
components of the phonics lessons. There are one students are confident reading all of the letter sounds
Learning Scene and five flashcards for each module. for each module.
They provide all of the letter sounds the students
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practise reading these letter sounds.

5 Assessment and Standards 5 Assessment and Standards

Picaro prepares children for the Cambridge English:
Young Learners tests - the world leader in English
language assessment. The tests come in three
stages: Starters, Movers and Flyers.
Picaro covers A1-A2 of the Common European
Framework of Reference.

Cambridge English Language Assessment

Cambridge English Language Assessment has PDiicaagrnooUstniictsP1latcoe4mSetnatrtTeersst
developed a system of tests designed for young
learners. (SVPtaiacrariatreonrtUs1nD) iitasg1ntoos4tic Placement Test STteusdt ePnatp’es rname
Score out of 5.
Cambridge English: Young Learners is a reliable and Name ................................................................................................................................. Reading and writing
consistent tool for measuring a child’s progress in Task 6: Look and tick 4 or cross 8. train robot
listening, speaking, reading and writing. The tests are School ................................................................................................................................. Score out of 5.
designed to make learning fun and children are given car ball teddy
the incentive of earning ‘shields’ that record their Date .................................................................................................................................
progress.
Task 7: Trace the words.
There are three levels for children to work through:
Starters, Movers and Flyers. garden road farm

Once children gain the Flyers award, they are well- Task 8: Complete the words. lake park
placed to study for Cambridge English: Key (KET) or Score out of 10.
Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET), qualifications
that will be of great value for further study or in the _rm _eg _ody
workplace.
_ead _and
Attaining each certificate is a step that leads naturally
onto taking a more challenging test. Cambridge English ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
exams test candidates on what they know, rather
than penalising them for what they don’t know; as a
result learning is a positive and confidence-building
experience.

Cambridge English Language Assessment certificates
are recognised by thousands of educational
organisations, employers, government agencies,
immigration authorities and professional bodies all
over the world.

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Taking the Young Learners Test ‘The connections between the 5 Assessment and Standards
exam content or activity type and
Picaro prepares children to take the Cambridge the game are especially good.’
English: Young Learners Starters, Movers and Flyers - Czech Republic, AKCENT school
tests. The tests must be taken at an authorised test
centre, where an extra fee should be paid directly to
the establishment.
There are more than 2700 Cambridge English
examination centres around the world in 130
countries. You can find your nearest examination
centre on this website:
http://cambridgeesol-centres.org/centres/index.do

Cambridge English

A range of exams to meet different needs

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55 Assessment and Standards Picaro Assessment

Picaro helps teachers and parents by providing
a constant record of student progress.
In addition to the stars they collect online, as
students progress they can also receive the
‘Picaro Diploma’, which is downloadable from
the LMS.

Assessment and monitoring Picaro Diploma

Picaro provides downloadable assessment sheets, Children receive Picaro certificates after each level
which allow detailed tracking of individuals or has been successfully completed. They receive a
groups of children against its learning objectives. printable award from Picaro to motivate them to
These can be used alongside the Picaro LMS to chart continue learning.
what children have accomplished and what they need
to practise. This detailed level of continual assessment
means that there is no need for spot checks of
children’s progress.

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The Common European Framework of Reference PICARO UNITS

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is a guideline that sets 5 Assessment and Standards
standards of language proficiency and recognises, as well as describes, the
achievements of foreign language learners on an international level. It provides
a basis for the mutual recognition of language qualifications, thus facilitating
educational and occupational mobility.

The Common European Framework of Units in Picaro correspond with the
Reference (CEFR) Cambridge English: Young Learners
curriculum and the CEFR as follows:
A Basic Speaker
A1 Beginner Picaro Cambridge English: CEFR
A2 Elementary Young Learners
B Independent Speaker Units 1-8 Pre - A1
B1 Intermediate Starters
B2 Upper Intermediate
C Proficient Speaker Units 9-12 Movers A1
C1 Advanced
C2 Mastery Units 13-16 Flyers A2

Children who do well in the Cambridge English: The following picture maps the Picaro content against the
Movers test should be at the equivalent of Level A1 Cambridge English: Young Learners curriculum and the
(Beginner), a firm foundation for skilled language Common European Framework of Reference
proficiency.
16
Children who go on to do well in the Cambridge
English: Flyers test should be at the equivalent of 14
Level A2 (Elementary), equivalent to the level of
the Cambridge English: Key (KET) exam. This is an 12
effective first step in preparation for other Cambridge
English examinations, such as the Cambridge English: 10
Preliminary (PET), designed for young people and
adults. 8

6

4

2 A1 A2
A1 (CEFR LEVEL)
(CEFR LEVEL)
(CEFR LEVEL)
01

Starters Flyers

Movers

CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: YOUNG LEARNERS LEVELS

www.picaroworld.com 24

6 Picaro at Home and at School 6 Picaro at Home and at School

Picaro at School

Picaro takes the hassle out of teaching English in the
classroom. Its ease-of-use and extensive reporting functionality
ensures teachers have a simple, step-by-step guide to teaching
English.

Picaro online games can be used on individual computers or
interactive whiteboards. They can be used as part of the day-to-
day teaching regimen or assigned as homework.

Picaro ensures teachers can:

Easily review student progress

Set and assess a wide range of homework tasks

Access a flexible curriculum that is able to provide a
framework for learning or support an existing curriculum

Access native-speaker pronunciation

Picaro supports teachers by providing a suite of engaging
resources that offer step-by-step instructions for teaching the
Cambridge English: Young Learner (YLE) curriculum.

Teachers Book

Teaching tips

• Start an image bank,
either in the form of a
scrap book or on your
IWB, to help review
recently acquired
language. This can be
used whenever you have
a spare few minutes to
review vocabulary.

EXAMPLE OF TEACHING TIPS

25 www.picaroworld.com

Picaro at Home 6 Picaro at Home and at School

Parents can now help their children learn English at
home using Picaro Online English.
Using the Picaro Online Learning Management System
(LMS), parents can view what their children have been
working on and their results. They can check children’s
progress and actively get involved in their learning.
Parents can access a range of printable materials
including worksheets, picture cards and assessment
forms. For parents who are not comfortable speaking
English, there are online resources including audio
clips of native-speaker pronunciation, as well as links
to online dictionaries.
All the materials and advice for parents are written
by teachers, many of whom are parents themselves.
They understand the difference between classroom
and home learning and the fact that parents may need
help too.

Student’s Book

www.picaroworld.com 26

7 Technical Requirements 7 Technical Requirements

Picaro is quick and easy to set up and use. With
just an internet connection and a web browser,
and now with added support for Android and iOS
tablets, anyone can start playing within minutes.
Picaro can be accessed in so many varied ways,
making it ideal for use at home and in class.
Your children can easily enjoy self-guided
learning wherever they are.

To ensure our users have the best possible experience Picaro will be available in HTML 5 from the end of 2016.

System requirements till the end of 2016 (Adobe Flash)

For the best experience, we recommend the following Minimum Tablet requirements
system requirements:
1024 x 600 pixel 7”
General System Requirements 1.2GHz, RAM 512 MB
Android 4.1
A dobe Flash Player 12+ | http://get.adobe.com/ iOS: 7.0
flashplayer/

S afari 6.0 or later, Mozilla Firefox 27.0 or later,
Google Chrome, Opera 11, Internet Explorer 8.0 or
later

Internet connection speed of at least 2Mb/s for
online game

Minimum PC requirements

M ac OS 10.6, Windows XP, Linux openSUSE 11.3
1 .8GHz processor

1024MB System RAM

16 Bit capable Sound card

128MB Graphics Card
Adobe Reader is recommended for previewing
downloadable PDF files
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

27 www.picaroworld.com

System requirements from the end of 2016 onwards (HTML 5) 7 Technical Requirements

For the best experience, we recommend the following Minimum Tablet requirements
system requirements:
1024 x 600 pixel 7”
General System Requirements 1.2GHz, RAM 1GB
Android 4.4
Adobe Flash Player not required anymore iOS: 7.0

S afari 9.0, Mozilla Firefox 40, Google Chrome 40,
Opera 35, Internet Explorer 10 or later
Internet connection speed of at least 2Mb/s for
online game

Minimum PC requirements

M ac OS 10.6, Windows XP, Linux openSUSE 11.3,
Ubuntu 12 or later.
1 .8GHz processor
2 GB System RAM
1 6 Bit capable Sound card
1 28MB Graphics Card with OpenGL support
Adobe Reader is recommended for previewing
downloadable PDF files
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Audio Support

At Levels 1 and 2, children are not expected to read
or write in English and so all instruction and feedback
is spoken. Text is an optional feature to reflect the
fact that, while most children will not be able to read
in English, some might be able to and may want that
extra challenge.

At Levels 3, 4, and 5, the games feature both audio
and text to promote the development of early literacy
skills.

At Level 6, where the development of reading and
writing skills are the main objective, audio support is
removed to provide optimum literacy practice.

www.picaroworld.com 28

8 Appendix

8 Appendix Cambridge English: Starters

The Cambridge English: Starters exam is the first
of the three Cambridge English: Young Learners
exams. It provides an effective introduction to public
examinations.

Paper Content Time
Reading and 5 parts/25 20 mins
Writing questions
Listening 4 parts/20 Approx. 20
questions mins
Speaking 5 parts Between 3-5
mins
Cambridge English: Young
Learners tests Reading and Writing

Cambridge English Language Assessment This test includes identifying objects and answering
developed Cambridge English: Young Learners short questions on picture stories with one–word
tests in recognition of the lifelong advantage answers, such as yes, no, true or false.
that learning English early brings. The tests help
children between the ages of 7 and 12 to begin Listening
working towards future opportunities for:
This test comprises listening for names and numbers
T ravelling and following simple instructions, such as placing
pictures in certain places on a drawing. It also includes
Studying abroad listening in order to identify people, objects and
colours as well as supplying one-word answers to
I nternational job prospects questions based on a conversation.

The tests are suitable for learners of all nationalities, Speaking
whatever their first language and cultural background.
They cover all four language skills – listening, This test involves following instructions and answering
speaking, reading and writing. questions about a scene, naming objects and
Once a student has taken the test, they receive answering personal questions about age, family,
an award with shields of commendation. school and friends.
Results are reported in a way designed to provide
positive encouragement to the learners. All candidates
who complete their test receive an award, which
focuses on what they can do (rather than what they
can’t do). After the Flyers exam, students can aim for
Cambridge English: Key (KET) or Cambridge English:
Preliminary (PET).

29 www.picaroworld.com

Cambridge English: Movers Cambridge English: Flyers 8 Appendix

The Cambridge English: Movers test is the next step The Cambridge English: Flyers test is the final test in
in the Cambridge English: Young Learners exams. this series. Children who achieve good results in this
Children who do well at Cambridge English: Movers test should be the equivalent of A2 in the Common
should be at the equivalent of A1 in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
European Framework of Reference.

Paper Content Time Paper Content Time
Reading and 6 parts/30 30 mins Reading and
Writing questions Writing 7 parts/50 questions 40 mins
Listening 5 parts/25 25mins Listening
questions Speaking 5 parts/25 questions 25mins
Speaking 4 parts Between 5-7 4 parts Between
mins 7-9 mins

Reading and Writing Reading and Writing

This test includes matching words to definitions, This test includes matching words and definitions,
matching statements to pictures, completing responding to questions with yes/no answers,
sentences and text as part of multiple choice matching spoken responses to statements, selecting
questions. Children’s knowledge of grammar is also the correct words in order to fill gaps in a text,
tested. completing sentences about a story, filling gaps in text
without a word list to choose from.
Listening
Listening
This test comprises listening for names and
descriptions, spellings and days of the week. It This test comprises listening for and matching verbs
assesses children’s ability to recognise past tense and names, listening for and noting single words and
verbs, listen for specific information and follow spoken numbers, listening and matching people to their voices
instructions. and listening for colours and other specific information
and carrying out instructions.
There is also a multiple choice question about
identifying speakers by distinctive age and different Speaking
gender. Pictures are also provided with questions on
identification, colouring in and naming different areas. This test requires children to identify and respond to
statements about the similarities and differences in
Speaking a picture, ask questions and respond to questions
with short answers, describe a series of pictures and
answer personal questions.

This test requires children to spot differences in
two pictures and select the odd one out in series of
pictures. Children are also asked questions about
school, family and friends.

www.picaroworld.com 30

Contact Details

98 Contact Details For more information please use the contact details below and we will endeavour to
answer your queries.

Exclusive Distributors in the MENA Region Carole Lahoud
Hachette Antoine S.A.L. Educational Representative
Sin el Fil Tel: +961 1 483 513 ext. 513

Horsh Tabet – 965 Forest Building +961 78 836 095
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +961 1 483 513
Fax: +961 1 510 501
E-mail: [email protected]

Lebanon
Michel Khoury
Educational Department Director
Tel:+961 1 483 513 (ext. 117)

+961 3 287 614
E-mail: [email protected]

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Jean Moubarak

Manager of Rafik al Kitab - Naufal
Tel: +966 55 787 259
E-mail: [email protected]

Other Countries
Oussama Fawaz
Commercial Director
Tel: +961 1 483 513 (ext. 510)

+961 71 927 827
E-mail: [email protected]

31 www.picaroworld.com

www.picaroworld.com 32

Picaro is a blended English language course for international primary school children.
Its combination of online and printed resources is aligned with the Cambridge English:
Young Learners curriculum and the Common European Framework of Reference
(CEFR). Picaro is supported by Cambridge English Language Assessment, Kaplan Inc,
EdTech Lobby and Fox International Channels’ BabyTV.

Exclusively distributed
by Hachette Antoine S.A.L.
in the MENA region

For more Information

For further details please contact us via one of the following methods.
[email protected]
facebook.com/HachetteAntoine
twitter.com/HachetteAntoine
+961 1 483 513

33 www.picaroworld.com