Bec Vantage

Class contents and exam requirements

English Language Codes 20365, 20371, 20421, 30123, 30129

Cambridge Business Vantage Exam Preparation Course Head Teacher: Prof. Michael THOMPSON

Introduction

pag. 2

Programme

pag. 3

Set and recommended textbooks

pag. 7

Concluding Info

pag. 7

Reference: a.y. 2012-2013/20371/June 2012 Bocconi Language Centre materials are developed solely for self-study and class use. Copyright© June/2012 Università Bocconi – Author: Michael Thompson No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without the permission of Bocconi Centro Linguistico.

English Course - Code 20371

a.y. 2012/2013/20371/June 2012

Cambridge Business Vantage Exam preparation course The course is aimed at students enrolled in a program taught in Italian - except for CLMG - who already have an adequate level of knowledge of the language, established by a specific placement test. It is for a limited number of applicants and is a one semester course. Terms and enrollment procedures will be communicated via the student’s diary yoU@B at the beginning of each semester. Please note that the course will run only if a minimum number of enrollments is received. The course takes into account the fact that the students are preparing solely for the Cambridge Business Vantage Exam. While the Cambridge Business Vantage Exam offers results at a number of different levels, the course focuses on the skills needed at the B2 Level. In order to achieve the requisite level students will be given the necessary skills and tools. This should enable the students to consolidate their level and pass the Cambridge Business Vantage Exam with at least a ‘B’ grade. Learning Path In order to prepare students in each of these four skills, the Cambridge Business Vantage Exam preparation course consists of four modules: • Listening • Reading • Writing • Speaking The aim of the course is to provide a solid preparation in order to tackle and successfully pass the 2 hour and 45 minute test. •

• • •

Listening Module: The Cambridge Business Vantage exam tests that students can ‘follow and understand a range of spoken materials such as interviews, discussions and presentations.’ Students will work to answer correctly at least 80% of Business Vantage listening comprehension questions Reading Skills: The Cambridge Business Vantage exam tests that students can ‘deal confidently with different types of text such as business publications and correspondence.. Students will work to answer correctly at least 80% of Business Vantage reading comprehension questions. Writing Skills: The Cambridge Business Vantage exam tests that students can ‘produce two different pieces of writing, such as letters, reports, proposals and emails.’ Students will work to consistently write clear letters, reports, proposals and emails. Speaking Skills: The Cambridge Business Vantage exam tests that students can ‘communicate effectively in face-to-face situations.’ Students will work to consistently communicate effectively in face-to-face situations.

In conclusion, the course will also outline the markers used in evaluating their performance. Markers such as task achievement, task response, cohesion and coherence, vocabulary range and grammatical accuracy.

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1. Teamwork / Communication (pp. 8-25) Language Exam Skills Talking about teamwork Introduction to the exam Making Arrangements Vocabulary learning Skills Improving Communication Listening parts 1,2 Taking and leaving Reading parts 3,4,5 voicemail messages Writing part 1 Speaking part 2 2. Business hotels / Corporate Hospitality (pp. 26-37) Language Exam Skills Talking about business Listening part 2 hotels Reading parts 1,2,3 Speaking activity Writing part 2 Talking about corporate Speaking part 1 hospitality Formal and informal Practice Test 1 language Making, accepting, and declining invitations 3. Ordering Goods /Cash Flow (pp. 38-49) Language Exam Skills Talking about orders Reading parts 2, 5 Clarity in written language Writing part 1 Phone and letter phrases Speaking part 3 Talking about company finances Conditionals 1 and 2 Managing cash flow 4. Brand Power / Public Relations (pp. 50 – 61) Language Exam Skills Talking about brands and Listening parts 2, 3 marketing Reading part 1,4 Ethical banking Writing part 2 talking about public relations Speaking parts 1, 3 Organising a PR event Describing duties and responsibilities 5. Relocation / New Premises (pp. 62-73) Language Exam Skills Talking about relocation Listening parts 1,2,3 Report phrases Reading part 3, 5 Talking about similarity and Writing part 2 difference Giving direction Asking for information and making suggestions Talking about location Exam Focus (pp. 76-89) Language Exam Skills Listening all parts Reading all parts

a.y. 2012/2013/20371/June 2012

Assignments Self Study 1a/1b (pp. 22- 23) Exam practice (pp. 24-25)

Assignments Self Study 2a/2b (pp. 34-35) Exam practice (pp. 36-37)




Assignments Practice Test 2 3


Writing all parts Speaking all parts 6. Reporting Results / Green Initiatives (pp- 90 – 101) Language Exam Skills Talking about company Listening part 3 performance Reading parts 1,4,5 Describing trends Writing parts 1,2 Describing cause and effect Speaking part 3 Talking about environmental impact Discussing green issues Language of presentations 7. Health and Safety / Rights at Work (pp. 102-113) Language Exam Skills Talking about health and Listening parts 1,2 safety Reading parts 2,3 Expressing obligation Writing part 1 Discussing regulations Talking about personnel problems Passives Talking about problems at work 8. Business Expenses / Business Travel (pp. 114- 125) Language Exam Skills Talking about expenses Listening parts 1, 2 claims Reading part 1 Talking about air travel Writing part 1 Speaking 3

a.y. 2012/2013/20371/June 2012


Assignments Self Study 7a/7b (pp. 110111) Exam practice (pp. 112-113)

Assignments Self Study 8a/8b (pp. 122123) Exam practice (pp. 124-125) Practice Test 3

Practice Test 3 (Speaking) 9. Flexible benfits / Staff Appraisal (pp. 126 -137) Language Exam Skills Talking about staff benefits Listening parts 2,3 Talking about appraisal Reading parts 1,2,3 systems Writing part 2 10. Marketing disasters / Going Global (pp. 138 – 151) Language Exam Skills Talking about marketing Listening parts 1,2,3 disasters Reading part 1 Expressing hypothetical Writing part 1 situations Speaking part 3 Talking about entering foreign markets Practice test 4

Assignments Self Study 9a/9b (pp. 134135) Exam practice (pp. 136-137) Assignments Self Study 10a/10b (pp. 146147) Exam practice (pp. 148-149)

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a.y. 2012/2013/20371/June 2012

Set textbooks − −

Ian Wood et al. Pass Cambridge BEC Vantage, Heinle Cenage , Students Book 2nd Edition Cambridge English Business 5 Vantage, Cambridge.

Concluding information The preparation course is aimed to the relevant external certification, which takes place at the authorized exam centers. Further information concerning centers, dates, fees and registration procedures can be found at ambridgeesol.org/exams/bec-vantage/index.html. Please note that to achieve the best results student should take the exam as soon as possible after the end of the course.

The certification can be converted as an alternative to the Business English exam (code 20371) if the student has not already recorded the exam. Further information • Bocconi learning path and exams ( Path 2, Path 3) at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter > Exams-Certificates > Bocconi exams • Conversion table (results/grade out of thirty) at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter > Exams-Certificates > Language Certificates.

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