Defining the general examination and certification requirements, language examination standards and recommendations for renewing and modernizing:

Transcription

1 Defining the general examination and certification requirements, language examination standards and recommendations for renewing and modernizing: 1. The English for Business (EFB) qualifications of LCCI International Qualifications LCCI International Qualifications are awarded by Pearson Education Ltd. An accredited Awarding Body providing vocational and professional qualifications around the world. Pearson is accredited by the UK qualifications regulator, the Office of Qualifications and s Regulation (Ofqual), and many regulatory bodies and Ministries of Education around the world recognise LCCI International Qualifications. The English for Business (EFB) qualifications are aligned to the Common European Framework (CEF) and used worldwide by employers and universities as evidence of language proficiency. LCCI IQ examinations can be sat at registered LCCI Centres, all oder the world. Compared to other language certificates for example the Cambridge English Language Assessment which is widely reconised LCCI qualifications have a practical approach and work job related. LCCI offers both a written (mandatory) and an oral examination (optional). A LCCI language certificate is valid a life time. The language tests TOIEC, TOEFL, IELTS an BULAT assess the language proficiency of a candidate and the scores are usually applied in university admission procedures. The scores of the respective tests are only valid for two years. Levels and examination requirements of LCCI are described below. Generally an examination is passed if the candidate accomplishes at least 50% of the marks. If the candidates score over 50 marks they pass with credit. 75 % and more are a passed with distinction. Should candidates fail the examination they are allowed to retry. EFB Preliminary Level (A2) This qualification is intended for candidates who have achieved a fundamental understanding of English in a business context and who have the ability to use the language in a practical way at a very basic level. The qualification consists of a mandatory reading and writing exam and optional speaking and listening exams. The qualification s aims are to enable candidates to develop their basic linguistic ability, in a predictable business English context, in order to: identify basic data, facts and instructions produce basic, formulaic text listen and understand short, basic, business-related English conversations and announcements understand basic, spoken and recorded business English participate in short conversations in routine contexts. Basic office or place of work descriptions Basic jobs and roles in a work context

2 Basic social language within a business context Basic work or business-related instructions and directions Simple numerical information Standard business or work-related messages Reading and Writing compulsory: Candidates are assessed by means of a 90 minute examination paper covering all of the above syllabus topics. Speaking optional: Candidates are assessed by an 11 minute examination, including 5 minutes preparation time. Part 1 consists of a warm up conversation during which the candidate will be asked about, for example, study and work ambitions for the future. Part 2 requires the candidate to participate in a discussion of a topic selected by the examiner. EFB Level 1 (B1) This qualification is intended for candidates who have achieved a sound basic understanding of English in a business context, gained either through previous learning or employment or both, and who have the ability to use the language at a basic functional level. The qualification consists of a mandatory reading and writing exam and optional speaking and listening exams. The aims of this qualification are to enable candidates to develop the ability to: read and understand basic business-related English texts write basic English for simple, brief business communications understand simple, spoken and recorded business English participate in short conversations Composing a simple business letter or memo Basic business reading comprehension Business information processing Business text and data reformulation Reading and Writing compulsory: Candidates are assessed via a 2 hour examination consisting of four questions which correspond to the four syllabus topics listed above. Question 1 (30 marks) involves the composition of a letter or memo, based on given information. Question 2 (30 marks) involves understanding and responding to a passage of business-related prose of about 300 words. Question 3 (20 marks) involves a read and think comprehension test, based on some graphic or numerical display, requiring very short answers. Question 4, (20 marks), involves a read and write reformulation task using data to complete forms or diagrams. Speaking optional: Candidates are assessed by a 12 minute examination, including 5 minutes preparation time. Part 1 consists of a warm up conversation during which the candidate will be asked about, for example, study and work ambitions for the future. Part 2 requires the candidate to participate in a discussion of a topic selected by the examiner.

3 EFB Level 2 (B2) This qualification is intended for candidates who have achieved a sound understanding of English in a business context, gained either through previous learning or employment or both, and who are able to communicate in a familiar business situation effectively, and with only minimal assistance or supervision. The qualification consists of a mandatory reading and writing exam and optional speaking and listening tests. The aims of the qualification are to enable candidates to develop the ability to: write apt and accurate English suited to the stated purpose understand and write English using formats that are current and common in business communication adopt the tone, form, layout, content and composition appropriate to the requirements of a given situation understand spoken and recorded Business English at the defined level participate in conversations. Business letters, Company leaflets, Business reports, Business-related articles, Lists and/or structured notes, Memos, Company notices Reading and Writing compulsory: Candidates are assessed via a 2.5 hour examination consisting of three questions. Question 1 (40 marks) involves an extended writing task requiring candidates to produce a memorandum, an article, a report, etc, on a choice of role-related topics drawn from business and economic life. Candidates have to answer one question from a choice of three. Question 2 (30 marks) involves a letter writing task, where the stimulus is in the form of an incoming business letter. Question 3 (30 marks) is a reformulation task requiring candidates to expand, reduce or selectively rewrite a passage of English for some defined purpose within a given role. Speaking - optional Candidates are assessed by a 13 minute examination. Part 1 consists of a warm up conversation during which the candidate will be asked about, for example, study and work ambitions for the future. Part 2 requires the candidate to participate in a discussion of a topic selected by the examiner. EFB Level 3 (C1) This qualification is intended for candidates who have achieved a sound understanding of English in a business context, equivalent to Council of Europe B1 (Threshold) level, gained either through previous learning or employment or both. This qualification is intended for candidates who have reached a standard in English usage which will enable them to write acceptable English without employer embarrassment. The qualification consists of a mandatory reading and writing exam and optional speaking and listening exams. The aims of this qualification are to enable candidates to develop the ability to: understand and write English used in a variety of ways within a range of business contexts employ appropriate business formats and styles to produce a range of business

4 documents for different audiences and purposes understand spoken and recorded Business English at the defined level participate in conversations and discussions make an oral presentation on a business-related topic Composing a business letter Drafting an internal company report Business-related text comprehension Business-related text and data conversion and reformulation Reading and Writing compulsory Candidates are assessed via a 3 hour examination consisting of four questions, each worth 25 marks. Question 1 involves the composition of a letter, the stimulus for which will be an incoming letter, or the employer s instructions, or both. Question 2 involves the drafting of an internal report based on raw data given in the form of graphs, notes, press cuttings, charts, tables, etc. Question 3 involves a comprehension task in which candidates will be asked to show an understanding of information given for a defined purpose. Question 4 is a conversion task involving the reformulation of a message for some defined purpose. Speaking optional: Candidates are assessed by a 15 minute examination. Part 1 consists of a warm up conversation during which the candidate will be asked about, for example, study and work ambitions for the future. Part 2 requires the candidate to participate in a discussion of the topic selected by the examiner.

5 2. telc Deutsch Prüfung What is telc (the european language certificate)? telc GmbH is a non-profit subsidiary of the German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband e.v.). It is part of a long tradition of formal and organisational promotion of multilingualism in Europe. telc's specific contribution began in 1968 with the VHS Certificate in English (Volkshochschul-Zertifikat Englisch), the first standardised foreign language test in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. Since then telc GmbH has greatly influenced standardised language test development in Europe. Today telc offers about 70 general and work-oriented language tests in ten languages, all aligned to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The examinations can be taken worldwide in more than 20 countries through licensed telc partners. What is the value of a telc Certificate? telc examinations are based on the task-oriented approach central to the CEFR and are designed to test the skills of reading, listening, writing and speaking. These examinations are standardised. telc GmbH is a full member of ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe, an organisation of internationally recognised test providers. Public and private educational institutions in Germany and throughout the world utilise telc Certificates as a method of qualification. Additionally, many employers use them when choosing personnel. All telc Certificates include a detailed and comprehensive description of the foreign language competencies achieved. Compared to language tests of Goethe Institut or Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF) telc certificates have a practical approach to their qualifications and do not primarily focus on qualifying for university entrance in Germany. telc also offers German for business certificates as well as for individuals applying for German citizenship, as the telc Deutsch B1 is recognised as proof of sufficient language competence for a German citizenship application. A telc language examination is passed with at least 60% of the credit points in both the written and the oral exams. With 60% and more points the candidates pass ausreichend (sufficient), 70% and more points score befriedigend (satisfactory), 80% and more points score gut (good) and 90% and mor points score sehr gut (very good). Should the candidate fail an examination, the telc examinations can be repeated as often as the candidates wish. Levels and s telc Deutsch B1 : At level B1 students communicate in a simple and connected way in everyday situations, while travelling and when talking about topics that are of personal interest. They can describe experiences, hopes and ambitions and give reasons for opinions. On the whole they can use the most important grammatical structures correctly. : The exam consists of a written and an oral part. The written exam lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. Before the oral exam you have 20 minutes preparation time. The oral exam can take place on the day of the written exam or on another day.

6 telc Deutsch B2 : At level B2 the students can express themselves clearly and explicitly and also successfully discuss and negotiate. They have a large command of the vocabulary needed for their respective field of specialisation and for most general topics. Their usage of grammar is sound. : The exam consists of a written and an oral part. The written exam lasts 2 hours and 20 minutes. Before the oral exam you have 20 minutes preparation time. The oral exam can take place on the day of the written exam or on another day. Deutsch im Berufsleben (German for business): The Deutsch Beruf certificates are available at levels A2+, B1+ and B2. They show that the candidate can use the German language successfully during the course of a normal business day. The aims and examination procedures for Deutsch im Beruf are as follows: B1+ Beruf You can communicate in a simple and connected way in everyday situations related to your job. You can talk about your responsibilities, your firm and its products. On the whole you can use the most important grammatical structures correctly. The exam consists of a written and an oral part. The written exam lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. Before the oral exam you have 20 minutes preparation time. The oral exam can take place on the day of the written exam or on another day. B2+ Beruf : At level B2+ students can express themselves clearly and explicitly and also successfully discuss and negotiate. They can understand texts on both familiar and unfamiliar topics. They have a good range of vocabulary, and can produce formal business letters, reports and minutes. The usage of grammar is sound. : The exam consists of a written and an oral part. The written exam lasts 3 hours. Before the oral exam you have 20 minutes preparation time. The oral exam can take place on the day of the written exam or on another day.