UK EXAMINATIONS
GENERAL ENGLISHCAMBRIDGE EXAMINATIONS / QUALIFICATIONS LEVEL
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| 1 | The Preliminary English Test (PET) | Mid March Mid May Late November |
Lower Intermediate |
| 2 | The First Certificate (CFC or FCE) | Mid June Mid December |
Upper Intermediate |
| 3 | Advanced (CAE) | Mid June Mid December |
In the middle of the Advanced Range |
| 4 | Proficiency (CPE) | Mid June Mid December |
Upper Advanced (near native speaker level) |
THE OXFORD - ARELS EXAMINATIONS
| 1 | Oxford Preliminary (and Junior counterpart for candidates under 16) | Reading and Writing | Mid March Mid May Late November |
Lower Intermediate / Intermediate |
| 2 | Oxford Higher | Reading and Writing | Mid March Mid May Late November |
Upper Intermediate - Lower Advanced |
| 3 | ARELS Preliminary | Listening and Speaking | Mid March Mid May Late November and on demand |
Lower Intermediate - Intermediate |
| 4 | ARELS Higher | Listening and Speaking | Mid March Mid May Late November and on demand |
Upper Intermediate / Lower Advanced |
| 5 | ARELS Diploma | Listening and Speaking | Mid May Late November and on demand |
Upper advanced (near native speaker level) |
NB For a rounded qualification incorporating all four main skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) the candidates should "complement" the ARELS and Oxford Examinations at the appropriate level. This may seem cumbersome; but it is also flexible: Should a candidate for example not be sufficiently strong in Reading and Writing (s)he will still have a qualification in listening and speaking or vice-versa.
EXAMINATIONS IN ENGLISH FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES
The Oxford International Business English Certificate
| a | First | All | Mid March Mid May Late November On demand at special rates |
In terms of General English:- Lower Intermediate / Intermediate |
| b | Executive | All | Mid March Mid May Late November On demand at special rates |
Advanced NB Success in this examination is accepted as a linguistic entry qualification for appropriate courses by many UK Universities |
USA
| Test of English for International Commerce (TOEIC) general Business English (an assessment of attainment rather than a pass / fail test) | Listening and Reading Multiple choice format | On demand at 2/4 weeks notice: result is available within 3 days | Variable: TOEIC is an assessment of existing proficiency rather than a pass / fail test. But there would be little point in taking it before the candidate was well into intermediate level. |
US GENERAL ENGLISH
EXAMINATIONS / QUALIFICATIONS
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (to EFL) | Listening Reading Grammatical Structure (Multiple choice format) |
Early August Late October Early December Mid February and May |
Upper Intermediate |
| Test of Written English (TWE) | Written - short essay | as above - the TWE has to combined with the TOEFL: You cannot register for the TWE only | Upper Intermediate |
Test of Spoken English (TSE) Divided into:
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Speaking Listening Reading (to an extent) |
12 times possible to select date per month and year NB The TSE is separate from the TOEFL but is often taken concurrently to gain a rounded qualification. |
Upper Intermediate |
These examinations are accepted as the EFL entry qualifications for 2,400 Colleges and Universities in the USA and Canada.
NB The Cambridge Oxford / ARELS suites (UK) and the TOEFL suite (US) can be taken at Centres world-wide. The ETC will furnish a candidate who cannot take such examinations in Oxford with details of the appropriate Centre(s) in his own country.
ESP (BUSINESS ENGLISH)
The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCIEB) Examination Board offers many at 3 or 4 levels from preliminary to Advanced. Obviously at the Preliminary level (lower intermediate) the specialist content will be relatively restricted.
| Spoken English for Industry and Commerce (SEFIC) | Speaking / Listening Optional telephone and liaison interpreting tests |
on demand | 4: elementary (survival) to near native speaker |
| English for Business (EFB) | Writing Reading -tasks based on real business activity |
on demand | 3 |
| English for Commerce (EFC) | Writing Reading formats-traditional essay, comprehension summary |
on demand | 3 |
| NB Both EFB and EFC are accepted as the EFL entry requirement for many Universities in the UK and world-wide. Hence for non-native speakers they have a short oral test at levels 2 & 3 | |||
| Practical Business English (PBE) | Reading / Grammatical structures. Format - multiple choice designed to test candidates ability to survive in an environment where business is being done in English. |
On demand | Intermediate Upper intermediate |
| Communication Use of English | Writing: stress is on the quality of written communication in Business | On demand | 3: intermediate to advanced |
ESP (Tourism)
LCCIEB Examinations / Qualifications Cont.
English for Tourism
| Spoken English for the Tourism Industry (SEFTI) | Talking / Listening Modelled on SEFIC but all materials relate to Tourism |
on demand | Preliminary and threshold |
| Written English for Tourism | Writing / Reading | on demand | First level - intermediate for desk and reception staff Second level Upper Intermediate Lower Advanced for planners, administrators, Managers |
| English for the Tourism Industry (EFTI) | A comprehensive qualification for those who have successfully passed both the above at the same level | on demand |
Teachers of Business English
- Diploma (Dip TEB) Teaching English for Business
- Certificate (Cert TEB)
NB. The higher levels of L.C.C.I. suites are designed to be taken by native as well as non-native speakers of English. This in itself reflects extra credit on a successful candidate whois a non-native speaker.
The International English Language Testing System (I.E.L.T.S.)
Sponsors: The University of Cambridge local Examinations Syndicate (U.C.L.E.S.), The British Council and I.D.P. Education Australia.| a. Academic Reading and Writing Modules - assessment of fitness to enter an English speaking University | All | Practically on demand: but the programmes of different test centres vary slightly | Candidates will be graded at Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Lower Advanced, Upper Advanced (or equivalent) according to their performance). |
| b. With General Training, Reading and Writing Modules designed for those who wish to enter an English speaking Secondary School, or to take work-experience or non-University training in the medium of English | Basic linguistic survival skills | as above | Intermediate. Good candidates may be graded Upper Intermediate |
Oxford, OX13 6PE, England
Telephone 44 (0) 1865 391193, Fax 44 (0) 1865 391186
Email enquiries@tetco.co.uk