BEC Examination and ESOL Test Centre

HIEU is a new centre for Cambridge ESOL Examinations in China. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Examinations of the University of Cambridge offers the world’s most prestigious range of English qualifications.

The center provides test services to HIEU students and teachers, and offers a channel through which students can improve their English proficiency and ultimately use the language in the conduct of business. In 2010, the ESOL centre was authorized to provide candidates with BEC tests at all levels (Preliminary, Vantage and Higher).

Business Vantage, also known as Business English Certificate (BEC) Vantage, is an upper-intermediate qualification attesting to one's ability to use English confidently in the business environment. The BEC Vantage Test has been successfully organized for four times in the HIEU Exam Centre. More than 250 candidates have taken part in the BEC CB tests, in which 50% or more have taken the business English training courses that are offered. Nearly 50% of the candidates have passed the test and attained the certificate with passing grades of B and C, such scores being much higher than average in mainland China. Moreover, 35% of candidates have attained the result certification of CEFR B1.

In order to popularize BEC testing and make HIEU students more competitive in the job market, the International School at HIEU has, since September 2010, offered business English courses. Feedback has shown that the training has been very beneficial to the students in their preparations for the BEC test.

To improve the quality of teaching, Cambridge ESOL has, since June 2010, worked with HIEU to train teaching staff as oral examiners at the International Education College. Thirteen lecturers attended the training, and 11 of them have obtained the SE (Speaking Examiner) certificate for BEC preliminary and vantage level. Four of them attended additional training sessions in October 2011 and obtained the SE certificate for BEC higher level. During the training, which is designed to ensure that HIEU provides the highest quality of BEC oral testing and professional support, all the teachers were taught to fully understand and learn the characteristics, procedures, requirements and assessment criteria of the BEC oral test.

More students and teachers will attend the business English sessions during the new academic year, and many will sit for the BEC tests at different levels.