DOMAX specialises in the assessment of English for YLS in a motivating and supportive environment that promotes academic achievement and personal growth for young learners ages 5 plus. Our mission is to guarantee high standards of language assessment to all children starting at a young age.

The TLAC (Teaching Learning and Assessment Committee) works with a dedicated research team that avails itself of the collaboration of teachers, child carers, school directors, teacher trainers, content writers and many more academic staff to carry out research, observation, and study in the field of language acquisition and assessment for YLs.

The Young Learner Qualifications are carefully graded and sequenced to meet the age-specific needs and cognitive skills of learners. The suite of YL qualifications represents a long-term project that accompanies children through their language learning pathway from Junior Academy examinations to the JTEC suite of exams for Juniors ages 12 plus.

The Junior Academy Qualifications are based on a progressive level framework specifically designed for Young learners to assist children in their language growth and provide assessment of all round language skills.

The Young Learner framework, the Core Curriculum, is organised on the basis of 6 levels which identify the skills and knowledge learners achieve every step of the way. Clear guidelines, descriptors, and outcomes assist learners in achieving CEFR A1 competency at level 5 through the Stargate English Diploma Qualification. Every Core Curriculum level caters to language and cognitive development of the child and is collated to the CEFR. 

All Young Learner Qualifications are based on a “communicative language teaching and testing” approach; the examinations assess productive and receptive skills and language systems (like vocabulary, phonology, and functional English). Furthermore, communicative abilities including speaking, reading, writing, listening are thoroughly assessed starting at Core Curriculum level 1. 

The Young Learner Qualifications aim at motivating, encouraging, and rewarding learners to support progression through assessment levels by means of a positive encouraging scoring policy. The Junior Academy Core Curriculum level examinations (including Stargate Junior English Diploma) assess candidates based on their performance and award a cumulative mark out of 100 for overall achievement. Candidates receive a detailed score report with a breakdown of performance in each area.  Examination results support positive feedback and encouragement for progression. All candidates receive an examination certificate, which indicates the overall assessment score and the breakdown of achievements, thus, a no fail policy is implemented.

Earning a DOMAX certificate is a rewarding experience. Learners making progress with English, need a way to recognise their success and reassurance that they are on the right track.

ESOL International exams for Young Learners offer:

● Motivation and inspiration, working from a carefully structured syllabus towards a definite goal

● A measure of personal progress 

● An objective guide to improve language skills

● Assessment by a certified and experienced examiner

● Progression opportunities and a real sense of achievement

The table below shows the progression through the ESOL International Qualifications for Young Learners from Core Curriculum levels to the CEFR. The Junior Academy suite of qualifications ages 5 plus prepares learners for the JTEC suite for ages 12 plus. The table below provides indication of minimum recommended TQT and GLH for achieving each level, this may vary based on the learner’s age and course objectives.

(6) GLH indicate the recommended contact hours to complete one given level; the GLH are intended for a small group course ; individual learners may require less hours based on their entry level; large groups may require more hours.