Contents Preface 1 Introduction to Cambridge ESOL 1 Background to BEC 3 Topic Areas 5 Exam Content: An Overview 6 Assessment 6 Grading and Results 7 Answer Sheets 7 Anchor Tests 8 Support for Teachers 8 Entering for BEC 8 A Detailed Guide to BEC Preliminary9 Reading and Writing 9 Listening 28 Speaking 37 A Detailed Guide to BEC Vantage41 Reading 41 Writing 49 Listening 57 Speaking 66 A Detailed Guide to BEC Higher69 Reading 69 Writing 79 Listening 89 Speaking 97 PREFACE This handbook is intended principally for teachers and course designers who are, or intend to become, involved in preparing candidates for the Cambridge Business English Certificates (BEC). There are separate handbooks for other Cambridge ESOL examinations. The introductory part of the handbook provides a general background to the Cambridge ESOL examinations and an overview of the work of Cambridge ESOL, including a description of current procedures for test production. It is hoped that this will be of interest both to those who are familiar with the Cambridge ESOL examinations, and to those who are coming to them for the first time. For further information on any of the Cambridge ESOL examinations, please contact: Cambridge ESOL Information 1 Hills Road Cambridge CB1 2EU United Kingdom Tel.+44 1223 553355 Fax.+44 1223 460278 e-mail ESOLucles.org.uk www.CambridgeESOL.org INTRODUCTION TO CAMBRIDGE ESOL University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) is a part of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which has provided examinations in English for speakers of other languages since 1913. Cambridge ESOL offers an extensive range of examinations, certificates and diplomas for learners and teachers of English. In 2003 over 1.2 million people took these examinations at centres in over 130 countries. Cambridge ESOL was formerly known as UCLES EFL. The title ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages was adopted in October 2002, reflecting the increasing diversity of the candidature. Cambridge ESOL examinations can be taken by anyone whose first language is not English. They are suitable for learners of all nationalities, whatever their first language and cultural background, and there are examinations suitable for learners of almost any age. The range of Cambridge ESOL examinations includes specialist examinations in Business English and English for Academic Purposes, as well as tests for young learners and a suite of certificates and diplomas for language teachers. The examinations cover all four language skills listening, speaking, reading and writing. They include a range of tasks which assess candidates ability to use English, so that in preparing for the examinations, candidates develop the skills they need to make practical use of the language in a variety of contexts. Above all, what the Cambridge ESOL examinations assess is the ability to communicate effectively in English. Cambridge ESOL is committed to providing examinations of the highest possible quality. This commitment is underpinned by an extensive programme of research and evaluation, and by continuous monitoring of the marking and grading of all Cambridge ESOL examinations. Of particular importance is the rigorous set of procedures which are used in the production and pretesting of question papers, and these are described in the following section. The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) Cambridge ESOL is a member of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE), which was formed in 1990. The members are all providers of language examinations and certificates from countries within Europe. The principal objectives of ALTE are as follows: to promote the transnational recognition of certification, especially in Europe to establish common standards for all stages of the language testing process, i.e. test development, question and materials writing, test administration, marking and grading, reporting of test results, test analysis and reporting of findings to collaborate on joint projects and in the exchange of ideas and know-how. Cambridge ESOL examinations fulfil the Code of Practice established by ALTE. This Code of Practice focuses on the responsibilities of both examination providers and examination users and covers four main areas: developing examinations interpreting examination results striving for fairness informing examination takers. For more information on ALTE please visit www.ALTE.org The Production of Cambridge ESOL Question Papers The production process for question papers for Cambridge ESOL examinations begins with the commissioning of material and ends with the printing of question papers. For the majority of Cambridge ESOL question papers there are five main stages in the production process: Page 1 commissioning editing pretesting analysis and banking of material question paper construction. This process is represented in the diagram b