1 BULATS An Introduction

2 What is BULATS? BULATS stands for the Business Language Testing Service. Designed to help companies find out the level of language skills among their staff, trainees or job applicants. Assesses language skills which are needed for the workplace and for students and employees on language courses Helps professional/business courses where foreign language ability is an important element of the course.

3 BULATS is a multilingual test Offers parallel tests in English, French, German and Spanish. Tests of English are produced by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations French - by the Alliance Françoise, German by the Goethe-Institute Spanish by the Universidad de Salamanca. The service is co-ordinated by Cambridge ESOL, which has been producing language examinations since 1913 and delivers over a million assessments a year in 130 countries.

4 Why use BULATS? Evaluating the language skills of staff within a company A company decides it wants a complete language profile of its staff. BULATS can be used to test some or all employees. The service can also be used at regular intervals to monitor the company's language profile.

5 Why use BULATS? Evaluating the language skills of job applicants A company is recruiting staff to work in its international sales department. BULATS provides a simple way of testing prospective employees and providing the company with an up-to-date and accurate assessment of language ability.

6 Why use BULATS? Placing learners on suitable courses for language training A business college provides language training courses for its students and needs to place them in courses at the right level. BULATS can be used to place the students on suitable courses.

7 Why use BULATS? Screening learners who are unsuitable for the training courses provided A company wants to concentrate its language training on employees who are already close to the level of language required. BULATS can provide a test to screen off unsuitable candidates and so help make best use of resources available.

8 Why use BULATS? Evaluating language training given The training division of a company needs to assess the quality of language training being provided by an external training organisation. BULATS can be used to test people at the beginning and end of the course to monitor progress.

9 Why use BULATS ? Pre-testing BULATS can be used as a pre-test before other exams

10 The range of BULATS BULATS provides a range of tests to meet different needs: 1.The Computer Test - a fast, accurate test of listening, reading and language knowledge (Grammar & Vocabulary) – length depends on the ability of the candidate 2.The Standard Test - a paper-based alternative to the computer test (110 min) 3.The Speaking Test - face-to-face evaluation of speaking skills (12 min) 4.The Writing Test- thorough evaluation of writing skills in a business context (45 min)

11 The range of BULATS  All 4 tests: 1.Computer Test 2.Standard Test 3.Speaking Test 4.Writing Test can be used independently or in various combinations. This principle of flexibility allows BULATS to customize the service for different situations.

12 What level is BULATS? BULATS assesses candidates across the whole spectrum of levels The majority of tasks are at intermediate and upper intermediate level Candidates at elementary and lower- intermediate levels will find parts of the test difficult

13 What level is BULATS? ALTE Levels (CEF) Levels BULATS scores LevelESOL at these levels Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Level 0 C2 C1 B2 B1 A2 A1 90–100 75–89 60–74 40–59 20–39 0–19 Up Advanced Advanced Upper Interm Intermediate Elementary Beginner CPE CAE,BEC H FCE,BEC V PET,BEC P KET –

14 What level is BULATS? BULATS scores Cambridge ESOL exams IELTS level TOEFL Computer CPE CAE FCE PET KET3

15 What is in the Computer Test? There are eight types of questions and they assess listening, reading and language knowledge (grammar/vocabulary) skills.

16 Listening Tasks Listen and Select Candidates listen to a short recording and answer a short multiple choice question. Listen and Select (Graphic) The choice is between three pictures or images. Extended Listening Candidates listen to a longer recording and answer a series of multiple choice questions based on it. The questions are presented in the same order as the information in the text. You can hear the listening recordings twice.

17 Reading and Language Knowledge Tasks Read and Select Candidates are presented with a notice, diagram, label, memo or letter containing a short text.They choose a phrase that most closely matches the meaning of the text. Extended Reading Candidates read a longer text and answer a series of multiple choice questions based on it.The questions are presented in the same order as the information in the text. Multiple Choice gap-fill Candidates choose the best word or phrase to fill gaps in a text. Four choices for each gap. Open gap-fill Candidates complete blanks in a text by typing in the missing word. Gapped sentences Candidates complete gaps in a sentence by choosing the correct word or phrase. There are four choices for each gap.

18 Key features of BULATS? Flexibility in its delivery Tests available on demand Tests suit clients’ needs Tests can be administered on site Fast turn-around of results Range of 4 Tests on offer administered independently or in combination

19 What level is BULATS ? Upper-Advanced - Fully operational of the language in most business and work situations, e.g. in the workplace can argue a case confidently justifying and making points persuasively. Advanced - Good operational command of the language in a range of business and work situations, e.g. can participate effectively in discussions and meetings. Upper-Intermediate - Generally effective command of the language in a range of familiar situations, e.g. can make a contribution to meetings on practical matters, but is unlikely to follow a complex argument. Intermediate - Limited but effective command of the language in familiar situations, e.g, can take part in a routine meeting on familiar topics, particularly in an exchange of simple factual information. Elementary - Very limited command of the language in a range of familiar situations, e.g. can understand and pass simple messages. Beginner - Very limited command of the language. Candidates аt this level may know some phrases but cannot communicate in the language.

20 Who is BULATS suitable for? The test is carefully designed to be suitable for a wide range of people at work – technicians, secretaries or managers, in banking, in education or in manufacturing, in administration, research or marketing. BULATS does not require any previous business experience, and so it is also suitable for students who may need to use the foreign language in the future.

21 Users of BULATS Testimonials BULATS is used by a wide range of companies and organisations in different sectors. These companies include well known international companies as well as small and medium sized businesses. Airbus Emirates Group Hitachi Italia Lavoro UNDP WiproAirbus Emirates Group Hitachi Italia Lavoro UNDP Wipro

22 Agents BULATS is administered through a network of authorised BULATS agents. Agents are approved to sell the full range of BULATS tests to customers. Agents have information about BULATS including prices and availability of tests. Agents can also offer a demonstration of the computer test. CenterCom has become an Agent since

23 Examples of Corporate Recognition in Russia Axmor Software - PET Canon - PET Caterpillar - FCE Edmins Group - BEC Higher Hydroproject Institute - FCE International Moscow Bank (IMB) - BEC Vantage Marine Agent Ltd - BEC Vantage Millennium Distribution - PET Novosoft LLC - BEC Vantage Philip Morris Management Services Ltd - BEC Preliminary Promix - BEC Preliminary Russky Alyuminy (RusAl) - BEC Preliminary Sonic Duo - FCE Star Software Corporation – FCE TNK-BP PET, BEC Vantage Volskcemen – PET Waterhill Recruitment Services - BEC Vantage World Bank - BEC Higher Yukos Oil Company - FCE, CAE Zao Smarts - FCE

24 Assessment of language skills BULATS provides a rapid, accurate assessment of language skills in English, French, German and Spanish and is linked to the five-level scale for language assessment established by the Council of Europe. It involves a computer-based test, backed up by optional tests of writing and speaking skills in a business context. It is provided by four members of the ALTE - the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut and Universidad de Salamanca It is already in use by businesses and training organizations in Europe, the Far East and Latin America.

25 price Computer test Standard test Speaking test Writing test

26 Web site