This award helps learners to improve their speaking skills and is also a usefultool for employers wishing to assess the language proficiency of existing orpotential employees.

The four parts of the test:

Part 1: Giving personal, business-related information

The aim of this part of the test is to put candidates at ease as they answer questions about themselves and their business interests and experience. The Interlocutor begins by asking the candidate for personal contact details (name, phone number or email address).

Part 2: Communicating in everyday, business-related situations

The aim of this part of the SET for Business is to test the candidate's use of functional language in a range of real-life situations in the context of the world of business. The settings, topics and language functions which may characterise these situations are listed in the syllabi on pages 10-13.

Most situations will involve face-to-face interaction, but one situation in any test may require the candidate and Interlocutor to simulate a telephone conversation. In the preparation time allowed, the candidate is presented with descriptions of three situations, all of which will be played out in the test.

Part 3: Exchanging information to perform a task

The aim of this part of the SET for Business is to test the candidate's use of language to give and elicit information in order to perform a specified, business related task in collaboration with the Interlocutor. In the preparation time, the candidate is given a set of information which differs from that given to the Interlocutor. The precise nature of the information exchange varies according to the level of assessment.

Part 4: Prepared presentation

The aim of this part of the SET for Business is to test the candidate's ability to order and maintain connected discourse to make a presentation of a chosen business-related topic.

The candidate is encouraged to choose his/her own topic, which they may prepare in advance. This enables them to demonstrate their competence in relation to their particular area of business experience or expertise. The topic could be the findings of research that they have undertaken in the course of their business studies, or it could be related to their professional life, but there must be some obvious relation to the world of business.

Available Levels:

Spoken English Test for Business is available at three levels called Stages:

Stage 1: covers A1 and A2 levels in the Common European Framework

Stage 2: covers B1 and B2 levels in the Common European Framework

Stage 3: covers C1 and C2 levels in the Common European Framework

Assessment:

Testing is by one to one structured interview with a teacher of a City & Guilds centre. This person - the Interlocutor - doesn't rate the candidate's performance, they just manage the interview and act as a conversation partner. The test is recorded on audio cassette and sent to City & Guilds where it is marked by trained examiners.

This qualification is ideal for those dealing with or producing paperwork in English. Candidates undertake a range of realistic workplace based tasks, which test their listening, reading and writing skills. The award recognises the accuracy of their use of English in a range of business documents such as memos, minutes and reports and their ability to proof read the work of others, ensuring precise and effective business communications.

Typical candidates for these assessments are clerical or secretarial staff who may not have to draft original documents, but are certainly expected to prepare final drafts, or prepare documents for publication:

The principal skills tested are linguistic accuracy (spelling, syntax, vocabulary and punctuation), comprehension (listening and reading) and proof-reading.

As with English for Business Communications (8959), assessment is undertaken mainly through practical tasks based on realistic documents.

Because spelling is one of the principal skills tested, the use of dictionaries is not allowed in these examinations.

Available Levels:

English for Office Skills is available at two levels: Level 1 and Level 2

Parts of the Test:

Listening

• spell difficult words in a given context
• transfer a spoken message into written form

Reading

• demonstrate an understanding of a written passage
• identify and correct grammatical errors in a written text
• proof-read documents, with and without access to the original

Writing

• distinguish correct word forms for a given context
• provide appropriate punctuation to a given text

Assessment:

Assessment of English for Office Skills is based on a single written examination, which is marked by City & Guilds professional markers in London.

English for Business Communications examinations are a suite of qualifications in modern, written Business English. They are designed to meet the needs of present day organisations for fast and accurate communication in the international sphere. The test focuses on the candidate's ability to perform in real business situations through the medium of English. It tests candidates understanding of business communications and the ability to carry out a series of written tasks concisely and clearly.

Parts of the test:

Reading: a) Demonstrating an understanding of written business communications

b) Completing and extracting information from business documents

Writing: writing concise letters, writing memos in response to instructions or situations,

drafting documents or reports (depending on level)

Available Levels:

Level 1: equivalent to A2 level on the Common European Framework

Suitable for clerical and administrative staff who have to read and draft

routine communications in English according to clear instructions

Level 2: equivalent to B2 level on the Common European Framework

Suitable for staff who are expected to read a variety of communications in English and reply to them independently and in appropriate style

Level 3: equivalent to C2 level on the Common European Framework

Suitable for staff who are expected to read the full range of work related documents in English, including those that require complex replies, and to draft documents where choice and tone of expression may be critical to the success of the transaction

Assessment:

The examination paper consists of a selection of realistic documents - letters, memos, emails, faxes, reports - which the candidate has to deal with by drafting appropriate replies or by writing similar documents in accordance with instructions. These are assessed according to how effective they are as written communications, e.g.:

- whether the candidate has interpreted the source documents correctly

- whether the replies convey the right message and whether they would achieve the desired results.

Correct language is important, but the emphasis is on successful communication. In recognition of the realistic nature of the examination tasks, candidates may use a monolingual (English-English) dictionary in the examination.