Business English For Adults

Introduction to BEC

We are all too familiar with the decline in the standard of English among our working colleagues and the new entrants into the job market. Recent articles in the major print media likewise highlight the urgency to address the sharp decline.
In an era of rapid advancement in communication technology as well as globalisation and the internet economy, English stands out as the language of communication, education and commerce. Our government, in recognition of the importance of English in education, is constantly enhancing and monitoring the English language curriculum in schools.

In most businesses and organisations, English continues to be used as the primary medium of communication. Employees at all levels are required to read and understand documents, write memos, letters and reports, and conduct business meetings in the language. A good command of English will help in projecting the good image of the company, communicate the right message and help to elicit the required response. Very often when errors are committed, whether in spoken or written English, a poor impression may be formed of the employee and by extension, the employer.

Business English Certificates (BEC) Course

The Business English Course is available at three levels - Higher, Vantage and Preliminary leading to certificated examinations, which are designed primarily for individual learners who wish to obtain a business English qualification, and to enhance their Business English skills.

The course prepares the individual to use English in a business context and covers all the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. At all three levels, the ‘business’ aspect of the course is reflected in the vocabulary, the types of texts selected and the situations presented in the tasks.

The BEC suite of examinations is linked to the five ALTE*/Cambridge Levels and to the Council of Europe’s Framework for Modern Languages.

Recognition of BEC is increasing rapidly as a growing number of corporations use the examination as a focus for in-house training courses. Many universities in the UK recognise BEC Higher as a suitable entry requirement for international students to business-related and other courses of study.

*Association of Language Testers in Europe