BEC

Business English Certificate

English for your future:

The Business English Certificates (BEC) are internationally recognised qualifications that show employers your skills for using English in the workplace. BEC is an ideal English language exam if you are preparing for a career in business. There are three different levels of BEC: BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC Higher. More than ever, a good knowledge of English is needed to succeed in international business and commerce. If you can show you have relevant language skills, you'll have a great advantage in the jobs market and much greater flexibility if you want to work abroad. BEC can help you show that you have learned English to an appropriate standard and can use it in a business context. The BEC exams are aligned with Levels B1 to C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages — an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. The framework uses six levels to describe language ability,from A1 to C2. 'Can Do' statements have been used to describe these levels in terms of real skills with language, such as being able to write a report, or take a telephone message. This means that preparing for BEC will help you develop real-life skills and the confidence to use them. BEC is also linked with the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's National Standards for Literacy, within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).


Three Levels of Exams:

BEC PRELIMINARY

Intermediate = B1 (Common European Framework)
Cambridge English: Business Preliminary is also known as the Business English Certificate (BEC) Preliminary. It is the first in a series of three Cambridge English Business Certificates. This qualification shows employers that you can communicate in English in practical everyday business situations. You should take this exam if you want to improve your English for your career. Studying for the BEC Preliminary will give a good foundation Language.

Tips to take this exam:
Follow,
short telephone conversations (or) general business discussions
business tasks such as ordering or answering general enquiries
write brief factual business letters or emails.

BEC VANTAGE

Upper Intermediate = B2 (Common European Framework)
Business Vantage is also known as the Business English Certificate Vantage (BEC Vantage). This is second in the series and shows that you can communicate in English in a business environment but is focused on English for business. You should take this exam for you to work in an English-speaking business environment. Studying for the BEC Vantage will develop your confidence and communication skills you need to succeed in international business contexts.

Tips to take this exam:
understand the business reports and letters
your opinion or discussion about factual issues
short presentation, and write a brief proposal.

BEC HIGHER

Advanced = C1 (Common European Framework)
Business Vantage is also known as the Business English Certificate Vantage (BEC Higher). This is last in the series shows that you can communicate confidently in English in a business environment but is focused on English for business.You should take this exam to develop your professional skills,this can show that you are effective in a demanding English-speaking business environment

Tips to take this exam:
take part in business meetings, expressing your opinions and arguing your point
knowledge in business reports and correspondence
must have efficient written communicative skills.

Test Structure

LISTENING
Level of Exam Time Marks (% of total)
Bec Preliminary 40 minutes 25 %
Bec Vantage 40 minutes 25 %
Bec Higher 40 minutes 25 %
READING
Level of Exam Time Marks (% of total)
Bec Preliminary 1 hr 30 minutes 50 %
Bec Vantage 1 hour 25 %
Bec Higher 1 hour 25 %
WRITING
Level of Exam Time Marks (% of total)
Bec Preliminary 1 hr 30 minutes 50 %
Bec Vantage 45 minutes 25 %
Bec Higher 1 Hour 10 Minutes 25 %
SPEAKING
Level of Exam Time Marks (% of total)
Bec Preliminary 12 minutes 25 %
Bec Vantage 14 minutes 25 %
Bec Higher 16 minutes 25 %
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