BEC Exams Discontinued: Recommended Replacements
The Business English Certificate (BEC) exams are a set of English language proficiency exams designed for professionals in a business context. The exams are developed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and are widely recognised as a measure of proficiency in English for the business world. However, in the end of 2023, the BEC exams will be discontinued, and the recommended replacements are B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, or Linguaskill.
The discontinuation of the BEC exams is due to a review of Cambridge ESOL's exams portfolio. The review found that the exams were no longer meeting the needs of their target audience and that there was a need for a more comprehensive exam that covered a broader range of skills. As a result, Cambridge ESOL will be discontinuing the BEC exams at the end of 2023.
The recommended replacements for the BEC exams are B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, or Linguaskill. These exams cover a wider range of skills and are more comprehensive than the BEC exams. B1 Preliminary is a basic level exam that assesses the ability to use English in everyday situations, while B2 First and C1 Advanced are higher-level exams that assess the ability to use English in a business context. Linguaskill, as mentioned earlier, is an online adaptive test that assesses English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
The recommended replacements are designed to provide a more comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of English language proficiency in a business context. They are also more accessible and user-friendly than their predecessors. For example, Linguaskill provides instant results, which means that test-takers can receive their results within 48 hours of taking the exam, enabling them to quickly demonstrate their English language proficiency to their employers and clients.
In conclusion, the BEC exams will be discontinued at the end of 2023, and the recommended replacements are B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, or Linguaskill. These exams provide a more comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of English language proficiency in a business context, and they are more accessible and user-friendly than their predecessors. Legal professionals seeking to demonstrate their English language proficiency should consider taking one of these exams as a way to further their career prospects.