About this course

Level 2 is designed for staff who read a variety of communications in English and reply to them independently and in appropriate style.

You will cover areas ranging from and including:

• locating and understanding information, ideas and opinions from longer, more specialised, sources in familiar contexts
• writing coherently on topics of business interest linking ideas appropriately and effectively
• using a range of linking words effectively to show clearly the relationship between ideas

Aims and Objectives

Time allowed

Two hours plus 15 minutes reading time. Note making during reading time is not allowed.

Aim

The aim of the examination is to test the candidate’s understanding of business communications in English at an intermediate (B2) level, and the ability to carry out a series of written tasks concisely and clearly.

Target population

The examination is designed for candidates who are preparing for, or who already work in, an occupation requiring the ability to write business communications in English. The candidate should have a basic understanding of general business procedures and be able to use English effectively and independently in all familiar situations. Candidates whose first language is not English should have attained a level of ability equivalent to CEFR B2 level

Objectives

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to understand business communications, to respond to them clearly and concisely, and to complete and/or extract information from a variety of textual, tabular and diagrammatic sources. The candidate is expected to show some appreciation of register and to vary his or her written tone to suit the situation.

Candidates should be able to complete the following:

Reading comprehension 

• Demonstrate an understanding of internal and external business communications, eg memos and letters, written telephone messages and emails.
• Complete or extract information from business documents eg orders and/or requisitions, quotations, invoices, graphs and charts, timetables and travel itineraries.

Writing skills 

• Write concise letters, in response to given situations.
• Write memos in response to given situations.
• Prepare other documents for business purposes, eg circular letters and mailshots, press releases and articles.
• Draft an informal report.

Examination structure

The Level 2 examination consists of a two hour paper containing five questions, all of which should be attempted. The candidate is given 15 minutes to read through the questions before the examination begins. No writing will be allowed during this time.

The five questions are presented as a series of ‘in-tray’ tasks. Some or all of these are interlinked, and related to a theme or a particular problem which develops during the course of the examination. The candidate assumes the role of an employee in a particular company. The scenario is described at the beginning of the examination. The candidate is required to respond concisely and appropriately to various tasks involving the reading and writing of business correspondence. Some of the source material may be hand written. The information required for the successful completion of tasks is explicit or easily inferred.

Assessment

Each of the five tasks is worth 20 marks (20%). The candidate is assessed on the degree of success with which he or she completes the tasks. Marks are awarded for language and content. Legibility is taken into account. Layout is assessed for two (only) of the written tasks, a memo and a letter. Tasks assessed for layout are specified on the examination paper.

To be awarded a Pass, candidates must achieve a total of 60 marks (60%). A First Class Pass will be awarded to candidates achieving 75% or more in the whole examination, provided they attempt all the tasks.