Introducing BEC Exam :
In today’s world effective English Communication gives you the booster you need to make a jump start in your career . There are many exams to test the proficiency in English, While IELTS, TOEFL are more needed while applying for foreign universities as per their guideline; BEC is another exam which is designed for the working professionals. Today more of the employers in India are recognizing BEC certified candidates.
This exam has four focus areas : Reading , Writing, Speaking and Listening. While a months preparation of 2 hours per day is necessary for preparation of the exam for average students, it may take more time if english is not your schooling language and your are not fluent in english.
GSG team recommends our readers to prepare for the BEC Higher Certification. If you are not much confident in your english skills , you can take the BEC Vantage first and subsequently the higher version.
The details of the certification are available below in the British Council Site and attached below.
What is BEC (Business English Certificate) ?
BEC is an international examination designed by the University of Cambridge ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages), to assess business English proficiency. The certificate is recognised by educational institutions and corporations worldwide and complements degrees and diplomas. BEC is a qualification that is valid for life and can be added to your resume. In India, the British Council in co-operation with Cambridge ESOL brings the BEC to you.
BEC is practical by nature, so you will focus learning to use English in real world business situations, e.g. Meetings, Presentations, Teleconferences etc.
EXAM LEVELS
BEC Preliminary
Prepares candidates to interact effectively while carrying out routine business transactions, for e.g. speaking to clients over the telephone, writing brief letters, making appointments.
BEC Vantage
Assesses how candidates can conduct and take part in meetings and teleconferences using skills of negotiation to put across a point of view. Ability to draft letters, memos, minutes of meetings and topics for presentation using appropriate business vocabulary and format.
BEC Higher
Assesses proficiency in the use of English for making presentations, negotiating effectively in the promotion of products and services, and in engaging in extended conversations with clients at meetings and seminars.
RECOGNITION
Many employers around the world recognise Business English Certificates as proof of the holder’s ability to cope linguistically in a wide range of professional situations. There is a long list of companies and organizations in India, which have officially recognised or used BEC, either for staff recruitment or as part of their training and staff development programme. Some organizations have even made BEC requirement for recruitment.
BEC is now recognised by over 100 corporate organisations in India and offered by over 120 educational institutes. Download our BEC recognition brochures to find out more:
Download the BEC Recognition Brochure here:
Click here for details of your nearest British Council office.
BEC Fees
| BEC Preliminary fees | Rs. 3050 |
| BEC Vantage fees | Rs. 2500 |
| BEC Higher fees | Rs. 3300 |
Registration Procedure
at New Delhi/ Mumbai/ Kolkata/ Chennai respectively. The above have to be submitted to the BC office before the registration closing date. |
http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-exams-bec-dates2008.pdf
Do post your questions regarding this exam and we will be happy to guide you.
Warm Regards,
Balakrishnan
(Content Manager - GetSetGrow.org)
BEC Exam : How to get certified ?,
Hi, I am a pre-final year engineering student ,looking forward for my campus interview. SO,what level of BEC would help me to have an edge over others in the campus interview?
Hi Logesh,
Even a BEC preliminary with good grade definitely help you a lot to differentiate yourself from others. It will also help you to present yourself to the interviewer. That is how you communicate with the interviewer.
All the best
I am looking out for books to teach BEC Preliminary, Vantage and Higher. Are there any books published by Goel or Goyal Publications in India which I think would be useful for Indian students.
Thanks in anticipation of a quick response.
Yours faithfully
Joseph
Hi Joseph,
For BEC Books please click on the link http://www.cambridgeesol.org/resources/books-for-study.php
and select your exam name viz, BEC Higheror BEC Vantage and this will give you a list of all books, alternatively you can find them amazon.co.uk and order online to your India address , you would need a credit card to order the books.
Pass Cambridge BEC: Higher Student’s Book (Paperback)
Summertown Publishing Ltd; Revised edition
by Ian Wood , Louise Pile cost £20
PASS Cambridge BEC Higher. Class and Exam Focus Audio-CD: An examination preperation course. Update for the revised exam (Audio CD) £26
by Ian Wood
Cambridge BEC Higher 1: Practice Tests from the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (Bec Practice Tests) £11
Pass Cambridge BEC: Higher Teacher’s Book by Louise Pile £14.40
PASS Cambridge BEC: Higher Self-study Practice Tests by Russell Whitehead £18
The Cambridge University books are best recommended, if you find the book costly you can borrow the same from nearby British Council Library from friends who have a library card there.
Let me know if you need more info.
Cheers,
Rajat
Hai am leena chandrika working as a lecturer in english in a private institution. i have an experience of 4 yrs and i wish to apply for some other institution. would you please let me know that how far this BEC exam course will add a credit to my career. i heard about TKT i want a clear and detailed information about what is TKT, what are the portions covered in it, and then about the training for TKT where i will be able to get the training for TKT and also its fees structure, duration of the training and how to apply for it.it would be really helpful for me if you just send the details regarding my questions
Thank you,
Leena
Hi Leena,
Thanks for writing to us, to answer your question, BEC is more suitable for a working individual to improve their communication skill and seeking an official certification in English Language, however for teachers the recommended certification is CELTA.
The course is full time – 120 hours over four weeks. You are also required to do lesson planning, reading and research and write four assignments in the evenings and over the weekends. The total cost are around Rs 1,40,000, however we would recommend you to check with the local British Council Centre to get the exact fee structure.
Please contact the following British Council branches for an application form.
CELTA Applications, New Delhi
English Language Teaching Centre
British Council Division
17 Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi 110001
CELTA Applications, Mumbai
British Council
C Wing Mittal Tower
Nariman Point
Mumbai 400 021
For CELTA syllabus please look at http://www.cambridgeesol.org/assets/pdf/celta8_251103.pdf
However if you cannot afford for CELTA now, you can go for TKT in the interim.
What does TKT involve?
TKT has three core modules:
Module 1 – Language and background to language teaching
Module 2 – Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching
Module 3 – Managing the teaching and learning process
How much does it cost?
Each module costs Rs. 2,500. Register for all three modules at once for a special fee of Rs 6,900.
How can I prepare?
All candidates receive a TKT handbook and a self-study book on registration, The TKT Course, when they register. Individuals can also use the TKT sample papers which are available from Cambridge ESOL website and by downloading the glossary of terms tested in the TKT and by using the resources available on the Cambridge Teaching resources website.
How can I apply?
For details contact:
Examination Services
British Council Division
17 Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi 110001
or
Call at: 011-42199000
Please refer to the link below fo syllabus : http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/teaching-awards/tkt.html
Warm Regards,
GetSetGrow Team.
please let me know the different stages of bec and fee and how to study it in our college exam dates and total information about it clearly
hope you will respond to me faster…..
yours faithfully,
harish
Hi Harish,
Thanks for writing to us. Details of the different stages of BEC Exam and fees are attached in the link :
http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-exams-bec.htm .Generally it takes around minimum of 60 hours preparation time .However it depends on your current level of English Language knowledge which needs to be ascertained. If you email your contact details to rajat.pal@getsetgrow.org, we can conduct a quick interview of yourself and advise which BEC exam is best suitable for you. Our recommendation would be to spend around 2 hours per day for a period of a month, For the speaking section preparation, it is recommended to study with a group of friends and practice as many JAM (Just a minute) sessions as possible. Also you can prepare for this exam totally in sync with your college studies , however you need to manage your study timings efficiently so that you can focus on both.
Let us know if you need more info and we would be glad to guide you.
Best Regards,
GSG Team
plz help mi i want to appear for the BEC prilimnary Exam?
Hi Swati,
Thanks for writing to us. I would suggestyou to visit the link below for sample papers https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/exams/businessenglish/becpreliminary also I would request you to go to the local british council centre in your nearest city and ask for print copy of the sample question papers . Though BEC preliminary is the Level one , you can go for BEC Vantage or BEC Higher depending on your comfort level . For BEC Preliminary the reading and writing test is 1 hour and 30 mins , listening 40 mins and speaking 12 mins , Each section has weightage of 25% . A very good book to prepare for BEC Higher is available at http://www.amazon.co.uk/PASS-Cambridge-Higher-Russell-Whitehead/dp/1133313221/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343030968&sr=1-2 , costs around Rs 2040 if you order online. This can be useful for other level of BEC Exams as well.
Hope this info helps.Do write to us if you need more info.
Best Regards,
Editorial Team GSG
Hi, I am an editor with a market research firm. I have about 5 years of work experience. I am keenly interested in the BEC certifications, but have no idea which one is most suited to my profile. Please guide.
Hi Archana,
Thanks for writing to us , there are 3 exams :
Cambridge English: Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary) – CEFR Level B1
Cambridge English: Business Vantage (BEC Vantage) – CEFR Level B2
Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC Higher) – CEFR Level C1
I am assuming that you are proficient in English , in that case I would recommend BEC Higher .
The Exams are in following patterns :
Purpose
Reading (1 hour) 6 parts Weightage -25% Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text.
Writing (1 hour 10 minutes) 2 parts Weightage -25% You need to be able to write a variety of different items such as memos, letters, emails, reports and proposals.
Listening (about 40 minutes, including transfer time) 3 parts Weightage -25% You need to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as presentations, interviews and discussions.
Speaking (16 minutes per pair of candidates) 3 parts Weightage -25% Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations. Your Speaking test will be face-to-face with one or two other candidates. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable.
Hope this info helps.
Best Regards,
Rajat
GSG Editorial Team