English is the

Language of Business

“Pressure to speak English in the workplace continues to grow, as more and more companies invest in globalizing their teams. However, mastering a new language requires time and resources that many people - especially adults who are no longer in school - struggle to find.”

Harvard Business Review

Language Training Services for Individuals & Business

Learning Needs Analysis for Business

  • We work with you and your organisation to determine the language levels and to benchmark them against other companies and language schools in your area of expertise.

  • Working together we can help you develop a test which can then be used to for all staff early on in the recruitment stages. This test can be used either in country or overseas, as well as for your existing staff.

  • We will then create various language syllabus for your employee base to ensure they have the language skills required for any particular role. Each syllabus will describe what the contents of a language course will be and the order in which they will be taught.

English Language Lessons

  • We provide English Language Lessons for all levels. Sessions can be online or face to face, for groups or individuals.

  • Fully Qualified Cambridge University Language School Certified Teachers.

  • IELTS and Cambridge Exam Preparation Classes.

  • Student Centred Classes tailored to meet the needs of the students.

  • Just want a few informal speaking classes so you can practice your English? Holding a Coffee Club in your local area is a good place to start. Get in touch and we will give you a few hints and tips to help you get started.

In House Training Consultation

  • We can administer testing for your organisation to provide you with the right information to make the best recruitment choices;

  • Additional HR and training-related services are available which can help enhance your overall recruitment process.

  • Extra services include:

    • Designation-specific spoken interview questions;

    • Methods of telephone screening;

    • Designation-specific written assessments;

    • Pre-deployment English Language materials to enhance ability to use Designation-specific language when onboarded.

Language Testing for Business

  • Our team will work with you to plan, develop and trial the best language test for your organisation in accordance with internationally recognised standards and benchmarks;

  • We train a set of testers in each organisation to be able to undertake, mark and register the most suitable test;

  • As an additional follow up service we can create a supplementary version of the tests and handbooks to ensure that all materials are current and compliant with the needs of your organisation.

LanguageCert

Language Testing for Immigration – Work, Travel and Study Abroad

If you have ever learned or taught English as a foreign language you may have heard of Cambridge University exams such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Or for the American system you may recognise the Test of English for International Communications (TOEIC).

As a language teacher at a university language school, I prepared students for other Cambridge examinations as well, such as Key English Test (KET), Preliminary English Test (PET), First Certificate in English (FCE), Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). These exams are most commonly used for people looking to work and study overseas. Often they are a necessary requirement in the visa processing system. So for students of English as a Foreign Language, looking for a future overseas it is a good idea to start working on exam preparation as soon as possible.

When approached by professionals looking to work overseas some have considered what was previously called the BULATS examination. BULATS was discontinued in 2019 and replaced by the LinguaSkill Business Test run by Cambridge University. In addition, the Business English Certificate (BEC) exams are still very popular at various levels.

Recently I have been introduced to the LanguageCert examination, a relative newcomer to the International language testing scene. They offer a Secure English Language Test (SELT), which is approved by the UK Home Office for visa or citizenship applications. Similar to the other tests above, they are mapped to the Common European Framework of Language (CEFR) meaning that the level can be easily translated wherever the student is planning to go.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) is published by the Council of Europe. This internationally recognised framework describes language ability using a scale ranging from A1 for beginners, to C2 for people who have mastered a language.

This makes it easy for anyone involved in language teaching and testing (learners, teachers, teacher trainers, etc.) to see the level of the different qualifications. Likewise, employers and educational institutions can easily compare qualifications to see how they relate to exams they already know in their own country.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment.

These tests are most commonly used by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) worldwide and cover the requirements for all types of visa. They offer 2-skills (Speaking & Listening) and 4-skills (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking) SELT exam, depending on the visa type.

Candidates taking a 4-skills SELT can sit the Written (Listening, Reading, Writing) and Spoken (Speaking) components separately. However, they need to be taken within fourteen days of each other.

LanguageCert SELT exams must be taken at approved SELT Centres which are subject to strict governance. The tests vary in price, but on the surface appear to offer more flexibility than the IELTS exam process.

According to LanguageCert: “We offer a full range of language exams delivered in a wide variety of ways to make the entire process more accessible and tailored to the needs of individual candidates. As a member of the PeopleCert Group, a global leader in the certification industry, LanguageCert is part of a team that delivers millions of exams in many subjects in over 200 countries.”

LanguageCert SELT - A Secure, Fast & Reliable Solution to getting the certificate you need.

Guided learning hours

How many study hours are required to reach a certain exam level?

Unfortunately it is not possible to give an answer to this question because the hours of study required will vary depending upon several factors.

As well as the amount of study and/or exposure outside of lesson times, other contributing factors can be the candidates’ language learning background, the intensity of the study, the inclinations and age of the individual.

Association of Language Testers in Europe

ALTE is a group of leading language testing organisations in Europe. In order to make examination results easier to understand, ALTE members developed a series of 'Can Do' statements for each of the CEFR levels. These statements describe what language users can typically do with the language at different levels and contexts (general, social & tourist, work, study).

For example, these are the ALTE 'Can Do' statements for general language training.

CEFR LEVELS - Listening/Speaking, Reading, Writing

C2     

  • CAN advise on or talk about complex or sensitive issues, understanding colloquial references and dealing confidently with hostile questions.

  • CAN understand documents, correspondence, and reports, including the finer points of complex texts.

  • CAN write letters on any subject and full notes of meetings or seminars with good expression and accuracy.

C1     

  • CAN contribute effectively to meetings and seminars within their own area of work or keep up a casual conversation with a good degree of fluency, coping with abstract expressions.       

  • CAN read quickly enough to cope with an academic course, to read the media for information or to understand non-standard correspondence. 

  • CAN prepare/draft professional correspondence, take reasonably accurate notes in meetings or write an essay which shows an ability to communicate.

B2     

  • CAN follow or give a talk on a familiar topic or keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics.

  • CAN scan texts for relevant information and understand detailed instructions or advice.  

  • CAN make notes while someone is talking or write a letter including non-standard requests.

B1     

  • CAN express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited way or offer advice within a known area and understand instructions or public announcements.  

  • CAN understand routine information and articles, and the general meaning of non-routine information within a familiar area.       

  • CAN write letters or make notes on familiar or predictable matters.

A2     

  • CAN express simple opinions or requirements in a familiar context.     

  • CAN understand straightforward information within a known area, such as on products and signs and simple textbooks or reports on familiar matters.          

  • CAN complete forms and write short simple letters or postcards related to personal information.

A1     

  • CAN understand basic instructions or take part in a basic factual conversation on a predictable topic.

  • CAN understand basic notices, instructions, or information.    

  • CAN complete basic forms, and write notes including times, dates, and places.

The following figures, taken from the Common European Framework of Language, are often quoted as an approximate guideline.

CEFR Guided Learning Hours

  • A2 - approximately 180–200

  • B1 - approximately 350–400

  • B2 - approximately 500–600

  • C1 - approximately 700–800

  • C2 - approximately 1,000–1,200

Therefore, in general, a language course expected to get the student from one level to the next will last approximately 120 hours.

Some of you may have read my blog about my experiences teaching English as a Foreign Language. In the blog I introduce you to LinguiTalent, a subsidiary of C&E HR Consultancy, specialising in creating English Language tests and courses to support recruitment and international placement. If you would like to find out more about LinguiTalent and how we can help your business, please get in touch.

I would also like to hear from any students who have gone through the LanguageCert programmes and either been accepted to University, or got their dream job overseas as a result. If you taught one of these programmes I’d like to get your feedback and perhaps discuss potential collaborations.

I look forward to hearing from you.