Making an impact in the
Global Job Market
What are some of the Challenges facing
graduates in their search for work?
• The current economic climate
• Companies cutting back on recruitment
• Fierce competition for jobs
• More graduates entering job market every year
How can you maximise your chances of success
in the global job market?
• Work experience
• Excellent CV
• Confidence and personal presentation
• Professional qualifications
• A second language - English
The importance of a formal English language
qualification
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A qualification from a world-renowned examinations body
Relevant to the world of work
Linked to a recognised, international scale (CEFR)
Proof of your ability in the four skills of English
It will give you the knowledge and skills to work in English
A qualification from a world-renowned
examinations body
Cambridge ESOL
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Part of the University of Cambridge
Recognised world leader in language assessment
Have been offering exams for learners since 1913
Exams Recognised all over the world
Taken by more than 2 million people a year
Wide range of products in both general and business
English
Relevant to the world of work
BEC – Business English Certificate
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Internationally recognised, certificated examinations
Available at three levels (A2-C1)
Paper based and computer based options available
Designed for those working, or preparing to work, in
international business
• Does not assume specialist business knowledge
• Sets materials and tasks in the context of international
business and in typical work situations
• Tests candidates’ ability to communicate for essential
business needs
What does BEC involve?
Preliminary
Vantage
Higher
Reading
7 parts/45 items
5 parts/45 items
1 hour
6 parts/52 items
1 hour
Writing
2 tasks
1 hour 30 mins
(Reading and
Writing)
2 tasks
45 mins
2 tasks
1 hour 10 mins
Listening
4 parts/30 items
about 40 mins
3 parts/30 items
about 40 mins
3 parts/30 items
about 40 mins
Speaking
3 parts
12 mins
3 parts
14 mins
3 parts
16 mins
Delivering Excellence
• Test Development
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Consultation
Academic and practical research
Trialling and analysis
Liaison with publishers and schools
• Quality Assurance
• Test Validation
• Pretesting
• Test technology
• Integrity and security
Cambridge ESOL and the CEFR (Common
European Framework of Reference )
• A system for defining language learning, teaching and
assessment
• It is comprehensive, transparent and coherent
• Used by Cambridge ESOL to map language
assessments to a recognised, international standard
The Council of Europe Framework of Reference
for Languages
A
Elementary user
B
Independent user
A
Proficient user
A1
B1
C1
A2
B2
C2
What level is the exam?
Cambridge ESOL and ALTE (The Association of
Language Testers of Europe)
• A group of leading language testing organisations in
Europe
• Members have developed a series of Can Do statements
for each CEFR level
• Statements describe what language users can typically do
with the language at different levels
‘Can Do’ Summary
Typical candidates at B1 level (BEC Preliminary)
Listening and Speaking
Reading and Writing
CAN follow a simple
presentation/demonstration.
CAN deal with predictable requests
from a visitor.
CAN offer advice to clients within
own job area on simple matters.
CAN state routine requirements
(e.g. asking for typing to be done)
CAN understand the general meaning
of non-routine letters within own work
area.
CAN understand short reports of a
predictable nature.
CAN make notes on routine matters,
such as taking/placing orders.
CAN write straightforward, routine
letters of a factual nature
Reverse of BEC Certificate
CEFR levels
Explanation of scores
Can do statements
Front of BEC Certificate
Candidate Information
Candidate Grade
CEFR Level
Exam information
Business English Certificates
ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Statement of results
Session March
2002
Candidate Name
Reference No
To be quoted on all
correspondence
Place of entry
Qualification
Business English Certificate- Vantage
PAPER PROFILE
Score xx
Result B
Exceptional
Speaking
Good
Borderline
Weak
Pass
Writing
Reading
Listening
It will give you the knowledge and skills to work
in English
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Giving Presentations
Attending meetings
Report writing
Telephone Skills
Socialising and networking
Negotiating
Problem solving
Decision making
BEC Reading
Preliminary Reading and writing
7 tasks (in reading section)
variety of ‘input’ and ‘output’
tests different types of reading
1hr 30mins (both reading and writing)
Higher Reading
6 tasks
variety of ‘input’ and ‘output’
tests different types of reading
1hr
Vantage Reading
5 tasks
variety of ‘input’ and ‘output’
tests different types of reading
1hr
Example of BEC Preliminary Reading
BEC Writing
Preliminary Reading and Writing
1 hour 30 mins
Part 1
Internal company communication
Part 2
Piece of business correspondence
Vantage Writing
45 Mins
Part 1
Internal company communication
Part 2
Piece of business correspondence, report or proposal
Higher Writing
Part 1
Report based on graphic input
Part 2
Report or proposal or correspondence
(candidate chooses)
1 hour 10 mins
Example of BEC
Vantage Writing
BEC Listening
Preliminary Listening
instructions printed and on CD
all texts heard twice
4 tasks
30 minutes listening
10 minutes ‘transfer time’
Higher Listening
instructions printed and on CD
all texts heard twice
3 tasks
30 minutes listening
10 minutes ‘transfer time’
Vantage Listening
instructions printed and on CD
all texts heard twice
3 tasks
30 minutes Listening
10 minutes ‘transfer time’
Example of BEC Higher
Listening
BEC Speaking
Preliminary Speaking
Part 1 Conversation with interlocutor
Part 2 Mini-presentation
Part 3
Two-way conversation
Further prompting from interlocutor
12mins
Higher Speaking
Part 1 Conversation with interlocutor
Part 2 Mini-presentation
Part 3
Two-way discussion between candidates
Further prompting from interlocutor
16mins
Vantage Speaking
Part 1 Conversation with
interlocutor
Part 2 Mini-presentation
Part 3
Two-way conversation between
candidates
Further prompting from interlocutor
14mins
Example of BEC Vantage Speaking
What support is available for Students?
• A range of published material
• Past papers and examination reports
• Online support
• Candidate website: www.candidates.cambridgeesol.org
• ESOL website: www.cambridgeesol.org/index.html
BULATS Candidate Support Website
What our customers say about BEC
‘Working in a marketing department of a foreign company requires very good business
communication skills in English, both in written and oral form. The BEC Vantage exam has
helped me to standardize my business English and reach to an international business
communication level. If my time allows, in the near future, I will take part in BEC Higher
exam.’
Phan Thu Ha – Former BEC student from Vietnam
‘Before I started the BEC English Course I had a lot of "adventure" on my
journey learning English. Passing BEC Preliminary gave me the safety that I was looking for
to use this language in my professional life. In my opinion,
BEC is the best way to learn Business English".
Giovanni Coradin – BEC student from Brazil
“The BEC preparation and exam really helped polish my workplace English skills.”
Yousef Khalid Al Badoor – BEC Student from Dubai
More than 8,500 employers, universities and government
bodies around the world recognise Cambridge ESOL
qualifications, including…
BMW
Nestlé
Siemens
Coca-Cola
IBM
BP Amoco
HSBC
Shell
WHO
Ernst and Young
World Bank
AstraZeneca
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Johnson & Johnson
Motorola
KPMG
Microsoft
KLM
DHL
Airbus
P&G
For more recognition information visit:
www.CambridgeESOL.org/recogntion/search.php
University of Cambridge
ESOL Examinations
1 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 2EU, UK
Tel: +44 1223 553997
Fax: +44 1223 460278
E-mail: ESOLhelpdesk@ucles.org.uk
Keep up-to-date with what's new via the Cambridge
ESOL website:
www.CambridgeESOL.org
www.CambridgeESOL.cn