Making an impact in the Global Job Market

1. Making an impact in the Global Job Market

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Relevant to the world of work BEC – 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

7. What does BEC involve?

8. 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

9. 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

10. The Council of Europe Framework of Reference for Languages A Elementary user A1 A2 B Independent user B1 B2 A Proficient user C1 C2

11. What level is the exam?

12. 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

13. ‘Can Do’ SummaryTypical candidates at B1 level (BEC Preliminary) Listening and Speaking 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) Reading and Writing 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

14. Reverse of BEC Certificate CEFR levels Explanation of scores Can do statements

15. Front of BEC Certificate Candidate Information Candidate Grade CEFR Level Exam information

16. 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 PROFILEScore xxResult B Pass Exceptional Speaking Good Writing Listening Borderline Reading Weak

17. 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

18. 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 Reading 5 tasksvariety of ‘input’ and ‘output’tests different types of reading 1hr Higher Reading 6 tasksvariety of ‘input’ and ‘output’tests different types of reading 1hr

19. Example of BEC Preliminary Reading

20. 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 1 hour 10 mins Part 1 Report based on graphic inputPart 2 Report or proposal or correspondence(candidate chooses)

21. Example of BEC Vantage Writing

22. BEC Listening Preliminary Listening instructions printed and on CD all texts heard twice 4 tasks 30 minutes listening 10 minutes ‘transfer time’ Vantage Listening instructions printed and on CDall texts heard twice 3 tasks 30 minutes Listening10 minutes ‘transfer time’ Higher Listening instructions printed and on CDall texts heard twice 3 tasks 30 minutes listening10 minutes ‘transfer time’

23. Example of BEC Higher Listening

24. BEC Speaking Preliminary Speaking Part 1 Conversation with interlocutor Part 2 Mini-presentation Part 3 Two-way conversation Further prompting from interlocutor 12mins Vantage Speaking Part 1 Conversation with interlocutor Part 2 Mini-presentation Part 3 Two-way conversation between candidates Further prompting from interlocutor 14mins Higher Speaking Part 1 Conversation with interlocutorPart 2 Mini-presentation Part 3 Two-way discussion between candidates Further prompting from interlocutor 16mins

25. Example of BEC Vantage Speaking

26. 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

27. BULATS Candidate Support Website

28. 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

29. More than 8,500 employers, universities and government bodies around the world recognise Cambridge ESOL qualifications, including… BMW AstraZeneca Nestlé PricewaterhouseCoopers Siemens Johnson & Johnson Coca-Cola Motorola IBM KPMG BP Amoco Microsoft HSBC KLM Shell DHL WHO Airbus Ernst and Young P&G World Bank For more recognition information visit: www.CambridgeESOL.org/recogntion/search.php

30. 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