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Centre for Professional and Business English

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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The Business English Certificate (BEC)
  • Get an international qualification in business English
  • Prove your English language proficiency to employers
  • Get funding under the Continuing Education Fund (CEF)


BEC has the Cambridge guarantee of quality and reliability. 
BEC is mapped against other examinations such as IELTS.
BEC is a recognised English proficiency benchmark course in Hong Kong.

Why get a BEC?

Cambridge BEC is business-specific.  It is recognised around the world and shows employers that you have the ability to communicate in English to an appropriate standard in business and professional contexts.  


BEC is a rigorous examination.  Therefore, when you hold a BEC qualification, you can be proud of your achievement.  It will enhance your potential for employment and promotion.


BEC examinations are offered at three levels:

Certificate Level

Proficiency Level

Workplace Tasks

BEC - Preliminary

Intermediate

Routine

BEC - Vantage

Upper-intermediate

Complex

BEC - Higher

Advanced

Demanding


The examining body, University of Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) also administers IELTS and BULATS examinations.

See how BEC levels compare to IELTS scores.


How can I study for the examination?

CPBE (the Centre for Professional and Business English) offers 60-hour preparation courses.  These are usually 20 weeks long.  See the CPBE Fees and Dates web-page for more information.


How will I improve at work?

As you prepare for the examination, you will:

  • re-activate language that you may not have used for a long time;

  • learn new language and skills which are relevant to your job;

  • enhance your confidence and clarity in speaking so that you gain professional credibility and serve your clients and colleagues better;

  • enhance your conciseness, precision, accuracy and clarity in writing and speaking so that you can communicate complex ideas more effectively.


Who will be my trainer?

At CPBE, the quality of teaching is everything.

Your trainer will:

  • be a native speaker of English or have native-speaker proficiency
  • have Hong Kong training experience
  • have a professional or business background 
  • have lots of advice and suggestions to help you improve your English


What language and skills will I learn in a BEC course?
Please take time to look at the BEC topics and activities. 


How will I know which course is right for me?  
  • Do the CPBE on-line grammar placement test. Submit it electronically and receive an automatic course recommendation based on the placement test. 
  • Fill in the CPBE course enrolment form, and submit it electronically.
  • A CPBE staff member will contact you and send you a professional writing task by email. Complete this and send it back by email. Your writing sample will help to confirm the best level for you.
  • CPBE will contact you after we receive your writing
    (i) to recommend a BEC course at an appropriate level for you;
    (ii) to help you with your enrolment.
  • If your have further questions, you are welcome to contact the course co-ordinator for more information and advice.  

If one of our BEC courses is not suitable for you immediately, we will recommend an appropriate CPBE course, for example:

  • one of CPBE's individual skills courses,
    (i)       Frontline Speaking or
    (ii)   Effective Email or
    (iii)  Spoken English for the Workplace or 
    (iv)      Written English for the Workplace.

  • a grammar course, for example:
    (i)  Grammar Solutions (intermediate level) or
    (ii)     Grammar and Pronunciation Fixer (upper-intermediate level).

Get more information about BEC qualifications
 
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