SEFIC Preliminary: Tests the candidate's spoken English ability to survive in a business context.

SEFIC First: Assesses the candidate's ability to carry out basic tasks and to discuss basic work issues.

SEFIC Second (Threshold): Candidates need to be able to discuss common work-related topics in English.

SEFIC Third (Intermediate): Test's the candidate's ability to discuss in depth common business topics.

SEFIC Fourth (Advanced): At this level, candidates must show a high level of fluency in discussing a variety of Business English topics.

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry also runs the following English language exams:

Practical Business English (PBE): Elementary/Pre-Intermediate exam which tests the candidate's 'survival' skills in a Business context.

English for Commerce (EFC): Run at three levels. Geared towards students who need English to work in the Commercial and Industrial sectors.

Written English for the Tourism Industry (WEFT): Run at two levels. Students must perform a variety of tasks using authentic material taken from the Tourism industry. All LCCIEB exams are aligned to the Council of Europe levels framework.

What

The London Chamber of Commerce & Industry's English for Business exams are recognized by employers worldwide. The exams are easily administered, affordable and portable. They are also growing in popularity. There are 2 main categories of exams for non-native speakers of English: English for Business (EFB) EFB - Level 1 (Pre-Intermediate). Tests basic functional Business English EFB - Level 2 (Intermediate). Includes writing and requires the student to be able to discuss basic Business English topics. EFB - Level 3 (Upper-Intermediate). Tests the candidate's ability to communicate using complex Business topics. EFB - Level 4 (Advanced) with full fluency expected when discussing and writing about Business-related topics NB: An optional oral test can be included at Levels 2, 3 and 4.

Why

The LCCI English for Business and Spoken English for International Communication (SEFIC) qualifications are recognized in Commerce and Industry in countries throughout the world. Who Administered by the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Examinations Board (LCCIEB) Awarding body. Any non-native speaker of English can take LCCI exams, provided they have access to an LCCI examination centre.

When

Year round. The flexible administration of the LCCI exams means that they can be run on demand at almost any time.

Where Students can take the LCCI English for Business and SEFIC exams at one of the LCCI's 8,000 registered examination centers around the world. SEFIC exams are regularly available in the UK, Argentina and Germany, as well as a number of other countries.

How

Prospective candidates must register at least 6 weeks prior to their anticipated exam date. Registration takes place at the candidate's nearest LCCI registered examination center. An exam fee (approx US$75) is payable on registration.

THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (LCCI)

The London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) offers vocational qualifications in secretarial and commercial examinations. The examinations are held locally three times a year, Series 2 held in April, Series 3 in June and Series 4 in November. Eligibility of Candidates There are no entry requirements or restrictions such as age or qualifications for any of the examinations listed. Time of Examination The time (morning or afternoon) for each examination paper is set by the Examinations Department taking into consideration the time of examination of other Examining Boards. A complete syllabus booklet for the London Chamber of Commerce Examinations subjects is available at the Customer Service Unit of the Examinations Department, Floriana and at the Examinations Centre, Victoria Gozo.

Foundation Certificate for Teachers of Business English (FTBE)

Certificate in Teaching English for Business (CertTEB)

Qualifications with UCLES

UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate) administer a number of these important English Teaching Qualifications for teachers of English to speakers of other languages. If you want to obtain a qualification that will enable you to teach English overseas (but not in the national Education system), there are several shorter programmes for teachers and prospective teachers that lead to such a qualification apart from full degree qualifications. They include: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)

Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners in Language Schools (CELTYL)

IELTS: IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an English language exam taken mainly by students wanting to study at British, Australian, New Zealand or Canadian universities or colleges. IELTS scores are also accepted as proof of English ability by many American universities or colleges The exam is managed by the Cambridge ESOL (formerly known as UCLES), the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. There is a choice of taking the Academic Module or the General Training Module. Scores range from 1.0 to 9.0. A score of at least 6.5 in the Academic Module is usually needed for an academic course at a UK university; 7.0 or 7.5 may be needed for subjects which require a lot of reading and writing (for example, linguistics or medicine) and for those wishing to be doctors or dentists in the UK. A score of at least 5.5 in the General Training Module is usually needed for non-academic training courses in the UK; a score of 6.0 or 6.5 may be needed for subjects which require greater language skills. 6.5 may be required to register as a nurse in the UK.

TOEIC: TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) is an English language exam taken by people who want to use English in their job. It is managed by the Education Testing Service, which is based in America. TOEIC scores are accepted as proof of English ability by many multinational corporations world-wide. Further information is found at http://www.toeic.com

Oxford Practice Tests for the TOEIC Test: Volume 1 (book & CDs)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

ISBN: 0194535347; Date: July, 2000

Book only (ISBN: 0194535266)

Oxford Practice Tests for the TOEIC Test: Volume 2 (book & CDs)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

ISBN: 0194535355; Date: July, 2000

Book only (ISBN: 0194535304)

How to Prepare for the TOEIC Test (book & CDs)

Author: Lin Lougheed

Publisher: Barron's Educational Series

ISBN: 0764175149; Date: February, 2003

Book only (ISBN: 0764120492) TOEIC Official Test Preparation Guide (book & CDs)

Author: Bo Arbogast and others

Publisher: Peterson's Guides

ISBN: 0768907780; Date: July, 2001

Synopsis "Pass Cambridge BEC Preliminary" is a practical student course book for pre-intermediate students who wish to gain the recognized Business English Certificate (BEC) qualification. The book contains: 12 double units covering a wide range of business-related topics; six exam focus units which prepare you directly for the examination; a self-study in every core unit to provide consolidation of coursework and examination practice with an answer key; lists of essential vocabulary used; tapescripts - the content of the audio CD; and a list of the common irregular verbs. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Diploma Programmes The next few weeks will be a crucial time for those of you who sat for this years O Level exams. Your results will soon be released and you will have to make a decision on your education plans for 1998 and beyond. What you decide could have life-long repercussions, so it is wise to go through all your options carefully. You may perhaps consider taking up a vocational Certificate or Diploma course. More and more students are choosing this mode of study over A Levels. The growing popularity of vocational qualifications can be attributed to the following factors:

Perhaps the most widely studied vocational programme in the world is the award for business conferred by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board (LCCIEB). Every year, thousands of students and working adults throughout world sit for exams to attain LCCIEB Diplomas. Established over a hundred years ago, the organisation today offers a wide range of qualifications which are internationally recognised by professional bodies, employers and governments. Qualifications from LCCIEB carry employer credibility because of the awarders unique relationship with the Chamber movement. This provides employers with the confidence that all those holding an LCCIEB award have proved themselves competent for todays job market. Here is a brief review of some of the more prestigious LCCIEB business awards:

To obtain any one of the above LCCIEB Diplomas:

a) Candidates must pass a minimum of 3 different subjects at Third Level, including a compulsory subject, and

b) these subjects must be passed in one sitting.

Study in Miri Bruneians can now take advantage of the strong Brunei dollar and study for LCCIEB qualifications in Miri, Sarawak, at Cadas Business School (CBS). Established in 1986, CBS is one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Sarawak. The School has facilities in Kuching and Miri, and specialises in conducting external Diploma and Professional Programmes for school leavers and working adults. CBS offers a wide range of LCCIEB business courses; including:

In addition to the above programmes, CBS also offers the Association of Business Executives (ABE) Diploma in Business Administration and two external professional courses: The Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA) and The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA). We work in partnership with the following British ESOL examining boards to help them promote their qualifications overseas. For further information about the boards, the English language examinations they offer, dates, centres, costs and sample papers, please contact the boards directly.