EBC - English for Business Communications
Aim
The City & Guilds 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. Candidates will require a basic understanding of general business procedures, and the ability to use English effectively and independently on A2, B2 and C2 level of CEF.
Target Audience
The examination is designed for candidates who are preparing for or already work in an occupation requiring the ability to read and write business communications in English.
Assessment
Each assessment takes the form of an in-tray simulation. The candidate is placed in the role of a junior executive or personal assistant in a commercial company. 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, eg 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.
Format
The SETB consists of four parts.
| Part | Focus | Task |
| 1. Giving personal information in response to standard prompts |
To respond to predictable questions about personal, work related matters |
Give name and contact details |
| To put candidate at their ease and elicit informal conversation on work related topics |
Answer questions about own professional experiences, positions and plans
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2. Interacting in common business-related situations |
To use functional language to communicate a variety of specified messages in short role play situations. Candidate and Interlocutor play out three different situations
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Candidate and Interlocutor play out three different situations |
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3. Exchanging given information to achieve a task related to the world of business |
Stage A test To ask and answer questions in order to exchange factual information |
Completing an informal gap activity |
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Stage B test To ask and answer questions to exchange factual information and opinions |
Collaborating to reach a joint conclusion or decision |
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Stage C test To use English persuasively in business settings requiring negotiation |
Negotiating an outcome from different starting points |
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To present, with minimal prompting, and answer followup questions about, a topic related to a specific area of business |
Presenting either:
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SETB Sample Papers, Handbooks
You can download the SETB handbook and sample papers from here.