SpeakUP partners with British Council Sri Lanka for Cambridge exams

SpeakUP students in the Jr and Teen programmes can now sit their Cambridge English examinations through British Council Sri Lanka. Here is what this partnership means and how it works.

We are pleased to announce that SpeakUP has formalised its partnership with British Council Sri Lanka — the world's most trusted provider of Cambridge English qualifications. This means that students completing SpeakUP Jr and SpeakUP Teen programmes now have a direct, supported pathway to sit internationally recognised Cambridge exams.

What this means for SpeakUP Jr students

SpeakUP Jr prepares children aged 5 to 11 for the Cambridge Young Learners English (YLE) examinations — Starters, Movers and Flyers. These exams are recognised by schools, universities and employers worldwide as proof of a child's English level.

Through our partnership with British Council Sri Lanka, parents can now book their child's Cambridge YLE exam directly through SpeakUP. We handle the registration, preparation and support — British Council Sri Lanka administers the exam.

What this means for SpeakUP Teen students

SpeakUP Teen prepares students aged 12 to 16 for Cambridge Key English Test (KET), Preliminary English Test (PET) and First Certificate in English (FCE). These qualifications are accepted by universities and employers globally and align with CEFR levels A2, B1 and B2 respectively.

"A Cambridge English certificate from British Council is something a Sri Lankan student can carry anywhere in the world — and it will be recognised." — SpeakUP Academic Director

How the Cambridge exam pathway works

Every SpeakUP Jr and Teen student is assessed for Cambridge readiness during their programme. When your child's coach confirms they are ready, we help you register for the appropriate exam through British Council Sri Lanka. Exam fees are separate from the SpeakUP programme fee and are paid directly to British Council Sri Lanka.

Your child's SpeakUP coach will continue to support exam preparation through the final weeks of the programme — with targeted practice sessions aligned to the specific Cambridge exam format.

Why this matters

Many online English courses in Sri Lanka offer certificates — but most of those certificates carry very little weight with universities or employers outside Sri Lanka. A Cambridge English qualification from British Council Sri Lanka is different. It is internationally standardised, externally assessed, and recognised in over 130 countries.

For parents investing in their child's English education, this partnership means the effort your child puts in leads to something tangible and globally recognised — not just a completion certificate.