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

• 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

• 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 workBEC – Business English Certificate

• 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• 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

A1 A2

B

Independent user

B1 B2

A

Proficient user

C1 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 SpeakingCAN 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)

Reading and WritingCAN 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

CEFR levels

Explanation of scores

Can do statements

Reverse of BEC Certificate

Candidate Information

CEFR Level

Candidate Grade

Exam information

Front of BEC Certificate

Reference NoTo be quoted on all correspondence

Business English CertificatesENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGEStatement of results

Session March 2002

Candidate Name

Place of entry

QualificationBusiness English Certificate- Vantage PAPER PROFILE Score xx Result B Pass

Exceptional

Good

Borderline

Weak

Listening

Reading

Speaking

Writing

It will give you the knowledge and skills to work in English

• 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)

Vantage Reading5 tasksvariety of ‘input’ and ‘output’tests different types of reading1hr

Higher Reading6 tasksvariety of ‘input’ and ‘output’tests different types of reading1hr

Example of BEC Preliminary Reading

BEC WritingPreliminary Reading and Writing 1 hour 30 minsPart 1Internal company communicationPart 2 Piece of business correspondence

Vantage Writing 45 MinsPart 1Internal company communicationPart 2 Piece of business correspondence, report or proposal

Higher Writing 1 hour 10 minsPart 1Report based on graphic inputPart 2 Report or proposal or correspondence(candidate chooses)

Example of BEC Vantage Writing

BEC Listening

Preliminary Listeninginstructions printed and on CDall texts heard twice4 tasks30 minutes listening10 minutes ‘transfer time’

Vantage Listeninginstructions printed and on CDall texts heard twice3 tasks 30 minutes Listening10 minutes ‘transfer time’

Higher Listeninginstructions printed and on CDall texts heard twice3 tasks 30 minutes listening10 minutes ‘transfer time’

Example of BEC Higher Listening

BEC SpeakingPreliminary SpeakingPart 1 Conversation with interlocutorPart 2 Mini-presentation

Part 3Two-way conversationFurther prompting from interlocutor12mins

Vantage SpeakingPart 1 Conversation with interlocutorPart 2 Mini-presentationPart 3Two-way conversation between candidatesFurther prompting from interlocutor14mins

Higher SpeakingPart 1 Conversation with interlocutorPart 2 Mini-presentation

Part 3 Two-way discussion between candidatesFurther prompting from interlocutor16mins

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 myjourney 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 AstraZenecaNestlé PricewaterhouseCoopersSiemens Johnson & JohnsonCoca-Cola MotorolaIBM KPMGBP Amoco MicrosoftHSBC KLMShell DHLWHO AirbusErnst and Young P&GWorld Bank

For more recognition information visit: www.CambridgeESOL.org/recogntion/search.php

University of CambridgeESOL Examinations

1 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 2EU, UKTel: +44 1223 553997Fax: +44 1223 460278

E-mail: ESOLhelpdesk@ucles.org.uk

Keep up-to-date with what's new via the Cambridge ESOL website:

www.CambridgeESOL.orgwww.CambridgeESOL.org www.CambridgeESOL.cnwww.CambridgeESOL.cn