BEC Wizard

Good communication requires clear speaking and writing and in Business English tests it is important to be familiar with words and terms which are commonly used in a business context or scenario. Developing good business writing, listening, reading and speaking skills is essential to be an effective communicator in business. Check out the examples below of Business English vocabulary and phrases used in context. They include many words used in various Business English exam preparation materials and Business English vocabulary for advanced English learners. How to Use Business English Vocabulary appraisal : Next month the company will carry out the annual staff appraisals. bonus scheme : The bank offers its executives a very attractive performance related bonus scheme. book-keeping : Accurate book-keeping is critical for financial control. computer literate : All candidates for the position must be computer literate. core : The core business of the company is t

Key rules for using comparative adjectives 1 . For short adjectives with one syllable, add –er The month end financial report is taking long er than I thought to finish. Our B2B sales are always strong er in the second quarter of the year. 2 . For adjectives with two syllables, add –ier , when the adjective ends in –y . For other adjectives, use more or less in front of the adjective. Emailing reports to the team is eas ier than distributing paper documents. Our production department needs to be more careful with quality issues. 3 . For adjective with three or more syllables, we use more or less The CEO has a private jet, it’s more comfortable than and quicker than flying commercial. Our latest products are more interesting and less expensive for our customers than the previous range. 4 . Use as ... as for similarity and not as ... as for difference Our main competitors are as good as we are at marketing, but their products are not as good as

Cambridge BEC (Business English Certificate) Writing Test Part 2 Sample Answer Cambridge Business English Certificate Writing Task BEC Writing Examples Task B You are unhappy about your company's current website. You have decided to write a memo to your Managing Director about your ideas for setting up a new website. Write a memo to the Managing Director. Write about: the problems with the current website the kind of information a new website should contain who should be involved in setting it up and any other points you think are important. Write about 180-200 words. Cambridge Business English BEC Writing Sample Questions with Answers - Sample Memo Writing: To: Bob Johnson (Managing Director) From: Jenny Johannsen (Marketing Manager) Subject: Company Website Dear Bob, I have received several comments recently from clients regarding our company’s official website. Unfortunately, the majority of them were less than positive about their navi

BEC Vantage Report Writing Sample As part of a project to redesign the office space at your company’s head office, you have carried out a survey of staff attitudes to the current workspace. You now have to write a report summarizing the main findings and recommending changes that need to be incorporated in the new design. Look at the results of the survey below, on which you have already made some handwritten notes. Write your report using the notes in 120-140 words. What people most want to change about their workplace How information is stored NOTES: Storage problem: lack of personal space likely to get worse as company grows Recommend: more storage for personal items, more meeting rooms/places Too much information printed out: mention figure, will probably get worse Recommend: training course in electronic data storage An Informal Report Making Proposals New Office Design Proposals Background As part of the office redesign proje

Cambridge BEC Vantage Speaking Test - Part 1 You will normally participate with another candidate in the BEC Vantage Speaking test. Before the test you should practice speaking with a partner to develop certain speaking and listening skills such as taking turns, listening carefully to what your speaking partner says and agreeing or disagreeing with the points he/she makes. In BEC speaking Part 1 of the BEC Vantage Speaking test you and the other speaking candidate will take turns to respond to some general and more specific business related questions the interlocutor will ask you. You will be tested on your ability to speak briefly about yourself, to give concise information about your home, personal interests and job, and to demonstrate your ability to use certain language functions for example, expressing agreement, disagreement, and talking about preferences. BEC Vantage Speaking Test Preparation BEC vantage speaking topics Make sure you are familiar with the

BEC Vantage Grammar Read the following paragraph which recommends how a new restaurant should be promoted. Choose a word to fill in each blank space to complete the paragraph. The restaurant should have a website, 1.__________ that potential customers can see the menu and the installations before they come here. 2.__________ would also be a good idea to advertise in local and regional newspapers in 3._________ to make our name known to people in the area. We should also invite some journailists to eat here, 4.________ that if they like the restaurant, they can write articles about it. Finally, it’s important to give really excellent food and service 5._________ get people talking about the restaurant, 6.__________ word-of-mouth publicity is by far the cheapest and most effective of marketing. [+] [-]   Answers so It order so to because / as / since Learn more about BEC Vantage test

The main purpose of writing business memos is to facilitate communication of information to various different employees within the same organization or members of other organizations. A memo, especially for internal business communication, is normally used instead of the more traditional letter. BEC Writing - Business Memo Memos have a wide range of purposes. They can be used to transmit information about policy and strategy changes, internal staff promotions and other changes in personnel, provide an update on a project, or inform about new product offerings. They are also commonly used to inform employees regarding meetings they should attend or changes in work procedures, or they might focus on a problem, for example, employees arriving late or being absent, or give useful feedback about a specific product or program. There are some key points to consider when you are preparing to draft your business memo. You should think about your audience (the people who will

If English is your second language, then obtaining a Business English Certificate can help your professional career in various ways. If you are able to show your level of proficiency via internationally recognized Business English qualifications, potential employers will consider your application more seriously and have more confidence in your ability. So which Business English Certificate is best? Firstly, any Business English qualifications you decide to pursue should be recognized internationally; among these are the TOEIC and BEC Business English Certificates by Cambridge. These are Business English qualifications acknowledged by the majority of large organizations and especially multinational British and American firms. 4 Reasons to get a Business English Certificate 1. International Recognition There is a big difference between being proficient in general English and being able to perform well using English in a business environment. Business English has many subtle nuance

Professional English | The Financial Sector Description Level: Intermediate, Upper-intermediate Cambridge English for the Financial Sector provides around 50 hours of study material for English language students either working or studying in the field of finance. The book develops financial English vocabulary and also explains financial concepts. It helps students acquire and develop essential communication skills for working within the financial sector and industry. Cambridge English for the Financial Sector presents a range of different topics related to finance and develops students' English communication proficiency in a range of financial contexts. It contains authentic texts and genuine interviews with various professionals working in the financial sector. Contents of Cambridge English for the Financial Sector include: Organization of the financial industry: vocabulary of banking products and banking services, the development of the global financial industry, t

The self-study student book with answers contains four authentic past BEC Higher examination papers from the University of Cambridge, England. This BEC Higher exam preparation material offers BEC Higher exam candidates genuine exam practice using authentic BEC Higher exam material. BEC candidates can become familiar with the BEC Higher exam format, content and practice essential BEC Higher exam techniques to maximize their score. The book and audio pack includes a full answer section and transcripts of the BEC Higher exam audio recordings used in the practice tests. Advice is given for BEC candidates about how to prepare for the different sections of the BEC Higher exam: BEC Writing, BEC Reading, BEC Listening and BEC Speaking. Sample BEC Writing answers are provided so that BEC candidates can see the format, style and level of writing that is required for the Cambridge BEC Higher exam.

Professional English in Use - Finance This is a 140 page resource book appropriate for intermediate and advanced level English language students. The book contains 50 units which cover all the areas of financial English vocabulary including: accounting, borrowing, lending, central banking and venture capital as well as covering financial English idioms and commonly used metaphors. Finance - Professional English in Use is designed for use as a self-study resource and practice book. English teachers can also use it effectively for class tasks and one-to-one teaching. Professional English in Use Finance is an essential resource for both English teachers and English learners involved in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Business English courses who need to develop English communication skills in a financial environment.

Cambridge Introduction to Legal English The best selling Cambridge Introduction to Legal English Student Book & CDs presents a very innovative way to help law students studying English learn the necessary structures and terminology to be successful in working in the legal profession. It is also ideal for practicing lawyers whose first language is not English and helps develop, through its practical approach, real written and oral legal English skills in order to effectively use the language in an Anglo-American legal context. Law Degrees The study of law is intellectually very stimulating and challenging and can offer law students opportunities in many interesting fields of legal work. A law degree in the UK as well as in the US normally require three years of full time study in order to complete them. UK based law degrees usually contain certain core courses, for example, criminal law, administrative law, constitutional law, tort law, land law, contract law, and equity an

Cambridge BEC (Business English Certificate) Exam preparation pack This excellent BEC exam resource pack provides a wide range of BEC exam type tasks for students to practice and gain confidence. BEC Vantage Masterclass CD1 and CD2 provide hours of BEC exam listening practice for students to develop their listening skills and business vocabulary. The BEC Vantage coursebook contains fourteen units of business related topics developing both grammar and vocabulary for students preparaing for the BEC exam. It also contains a dedicated section full of advice and tips for the different BEC exam questions, how to deal with them and the best BEC exam strategies. A full grammar reference section is included as well as a glossary of business terminology common in the BEC exam. Complete scripts for all audio exercises are included in the book. A complementray BEC Vantage Masterclass workbook gives extra practice for students preparing for the BEC exam and is based on each unit in the cour

The Cambridge BEC Higher Business English Certificate is recognized by many international companies, educational institutions and government departments around the world as proof of proficiency in professional English. Cambridge English - Business English cetificate (BEC) Higher - Authentic Practice Tests BEC 3 Cambridge practice tests contains four authentic BEC Higher past exam papers. These BEC 3 Higher practice tests give candidates the best possible opportunity to learn about the format of the BEC exam, practice, and evaluate their BEC exam skills. The BEC 3 Higher student book with answers comes complete with audo CD containing the listening sections for the four BEC Higher practice tests. It allows candidates to check progress with the answer key and audio transcripts provided with the book. The BEC 3 Higher student book with answers also provides a full overview of each section of the BEC exam so that candidates can really understand the exam structure. BEC 3 Cambri

BEC Vantage Writing Part 1 In Part 1 of the Cambridge BEC Vantage writing test you have to write a short communication, typically 40-50 words. here is an example of a BEC Vantage writing questions which asks you to write a memo about a training course. BEC Vantage Writing Part 1 Question Your company has introduced new SAGA accounting software and you think you need training in its use. Write a memo to your line manager: saying what you need describing a suitable course asking for permission to attend Write 40-50 words. BEC Vantage Writing Sample Answer Memo To: Line Manager From: Date: 8th June Subject: new SAGA accounting software I need training in how to use our new SAGA accounting software. The local business college is offering a course next month which deals with SAGA. The cost of the course is very reasonable and it won't interfere with my work. Can you please give me authorization to attend? [49 words]

Business English Certificate (BEC) Speaking Topics In this section of the BEC speaking test, you have to choose one topic from three choices and give a short talk, typically on a business topic. You are expected to talk for around one minute. the interlocutor/examiner will tell you when the time is finished. You are given one minute to think about your answer and prepare your talk. Sample Part 2 BEC Vantage Speaking Topics Topic A What is important when interviewing someone for a job deciding what qualifications are needed deciding what questions to ask Topic B What is important when arrangiing a meeting deciding who needs to be there sending out important papers Topic C What is important when giving a presentation preparing materials carefully keeping calm When you have finished your mini-presentation, your BEC speaking partner will ask you some additional questions based on your talk. Examples of BEC speaking questions your speaking partner may ask you: Wh

Examples of BEC Vantage speaking topics What is important when deciding to visit a trade fair? Types of product displayed Number of exhibitors What is important when entertaining clients? being creative variety of entertainment. clear timetable of free-time activities. Specialise staff. What is important when preparing for a job interview? an up-to-date resume/CV research the company ask relevant questions examples of abilities, achievements identify your strengths and weaknesses reason why you waqnt to leave your job dress appropriately turn off your cell phone be natural and relaxed answer briefly, unless you are asked for more detail What is important when looking for finance for a start up business examine different finance options projection of financial statements comprehensive business plan be clear about needs and requirements to satisfy consult a financial specialist What is important when planning corporate hospitality? organize guest list dec

Example of BEC Vantage Writing Task - an email Dear Mr Markham, Late payment I regret to say that we have not yet received payment for the goods that we delivered to you in march, although the agreement was that you would pay in 30 days. This is causing us severe cashflow problems, and unless you pay us immediately, we will have to stop supplying you with the goods you require. However, I would also like to warn you that if you do not pay promptly, we will be unable to offer you our usual discounts in the future. I look forward to receiving your payment shortly. Yours sincerely, Georgina Chandler Accounts manager BEC Vantage Writing Question Cambridge Business English Certificate Writing Tasks You received the above letter this morning. Write an email to your assistant telling him to: Investigate the cause of the problem Pay the invoice Apologize and explain to Ms Chandler You should write about 40-50 words. BEC Vantage sample email answer Dear Mike, Plea

Cambridge Business English Certificate Writing Tasks A branch of your company is moving to another town. The company Chairman has asked you to investigate and recommend a removals company. Use the two advertisements below, and all the notes you previously wrote to write a proposal for the Chairman. Write 120 – 140 words. BEC Vantage Sample Proposal Answer Companies Investigated I attach advertisements for two companies: Windspeed and A-Z. Windspeed belongs to the Freight Transport Association and AZ to the Road Haulage Association. Services available A-Z provides a service which is essential to us, that is, the handling of hi-tech equipment. We shall need to hire crates for storage of equipment which our branch does not need immediately. I have checked, and A-Z also provide crates. Windspeed also does international removals, but that is not of any interest to us. Both companies provide a packing service, but they are quite expensive, and I suggest that we do the

BEC Higher Speaking Test Part 3 For two candidates: Team Building The company you work for is about to take over another company and is keen to encourage staff from both companies to work together effectively. You have been asked to prepare a proposal for team building. Discuss and decide together: what kinds of work projects and leisure activities would be suitable to encourage teamwork what benefits effective teamwork could bring to the company what arrangements should be made before new colleagues start working together* [for three candidates] BEC Higher Speaking Test Part 3 Sample Answers A I think it's important to review the workload of both groups of employees and look for duplication and areas or projects that could be combined. This will make for better efficiency and reduce any duplicate effort. B Yes, that's a good idea, and by learning more about what each group of workers is doing we'll be able to get a better idea of how to integrate them. A