Case study
Name: Wong Ka Lai, Kathy
Country: Hong Kong
Job Title: Secretary
Qualification: City & Guilds Level 3 in English for Business Communications (EBC)
Kathy works for a garment company as a secretary. Every day she needs to liaise with foreign customers and good business communication skills definitely help give her a competitive edge in her career.
'Hong Kong is a metropolitan city. People here are required to communicate in English frequently. It is very important to have good communication with English-speaking customers and provide them with quality service.' Kathy says.
'The EBC qualifications help me because they're all work-based. I have learned about different types of correspondence, like preparing customer service letters, reports, press releases, etc. It gives me confidence when liaising with the foreign customers.
'City & Guilds EBC qualifications are recognised by the government and my employer will recognise the skills I have and will see that my abilities in English had a bearing on customer satisfaction.'
To further advance her career, Kathy is planning to study English and Company Secretarial courses and sees a good future for herself. 'I would like to be a company secretary. There are lots of promotion prospects.'
Business English Qualifications
Our suite of Business English qualifications offers learners the opportunity to develop skills that are both relevant and sought after in the work place. They act as proof to existing and potential employers that learners have the right skills to take a business forward in an international environment.
English for Business Communications
This qualification tests a candidate's ability to read and write the complete range of business communications, from routine emails and memos to complex letters and business reports. It is set at three levels targeting learners with pre-intermediate, intermediate and advanced levels of English.
English for Office Skills
This qualification tests a candidate's ability to use English accurately. It is set at two levels and is ideal for those who need to proofread the work of others and produce accurate paperwork, such as memos and minutes.
Spoken English Tests for Business
This qualification tests a candidate's ability to use spoken English in everyday business scenarios such as interviews, presentations and negotiations. Developed from the Common European Framework (CEF), SETB is set at three stages. Each stage covers two levels of the CEF.