Certificates

The European Language Certificates

telc stands for The European Language Certificates.  In continual realisation of this claim that is integral to our name, we now offer over 50 different examinations, in nine European languages.

Key English Test (KET)

KET has three components:

• Candidates are assessed as to their ability to extract factual information from short, simple texts taken from a variety of genuine sources to complete simple texts in writing.
• Candidates are assessed in their ability to follow short spoken exchanges, and to extract specific information without necessarily understanding every word.
• Candidates are tested in pairs by two Examiners (an Interlocutor and an Assessor), and are required to participate in conversations about themselves and other topics, both with the examiner and with each other.

Preliminary English Test (PET)

PET has four components

• Candidates are assessed as to their ability to understand public notices and signs and choose appropriate vocabulary and connecting words. They must also be able to read and understand short factual texts in detail, scan factual material for information and read passages for gist (identifying the source, understanding the purpose and attitude of the writer, etc.).
• Candidates must be able to give information, report events, describe situations and express opinions, taking into account the specified audience and purpose.
• Candidates must be able to understand short dialogues and extract factual information (opening times, weather, etc.) from them. They are also expected to make sense of longer dialogues and show an appreciation of the attitudes of the speakers.
• Candidates are tested in pairs by two examiners (an Interlocutor and an Assessor), and must be able to carry on a general conversation about themselves, participate in a simulated situation and talk about a situation depicted in a photograph. Candidates are expected to respond to photographs, pictures, etc. and to understand questions and answer appropriately.

First Certificate in English (FCE)

FCE has five components:

• Candidates are assessed as to their ability to read semi-authentic texts of various kinds (informative and general interest) and to show understanding of gist, detail and text structure, and to deduce meaning.
• Candidates are assessed as to their ability to write non-specialised task types such as letters, articles, reports and compositions for a given purpose and target reader, covering a range of topics. One of the tasks in Part 2 is based on an optional reading of one of five background books.
• Candidates are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and control of the language system by completing a number of tasks, some of which are based on specially written texts.
• Candidates are provided with short extracts and longer monologues, announcements, extracts from radio programmes, news, features, etc. at an intermediate level. They are expected to show understanding of detail and gist, and to deduce meaning.
• The standard test format is two candidates and two examiners. Candidates must be able to respond to questions and interact in conversational English. Prompt materials are used by the examiner to stimulate and guide the interaction.

Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

CAE has five components:

• Candidates are assessed as to their ability to read and understand texts taken from magazines, newspapers, leaflets, etc. They should demonstrate a variety of reading skills including skimming, scanning, deduction of meaning from context and selection of relevant information to complete the given task.
• Candidates are expected to complete non-specialist writing tasks in response to the stimuli provided (input text and task descriptions). The input texts are taken from articles, leaflets, notices, formal and informal letters, etc. Both audience and purpose are made clear in the task descriptions.
• Candidates are expected to demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge of the language system by completing tasks based on authentic passages. They must complete six tasks with a total of approximately seventy items. The tasks are of the following types: gap filling, proof-reading exercises, text completion, text expansion (of notes etc.).
• Candidates are expected to understand each text as a whole, gain detailed understanding and appreciate gist and the attitude of the speaker. They must also be able to identify and interpret the context. Texts take the form of announcements, speeches, radio broadcasts, etc.
• The Speaking Test is conducted by two Examiners with a pair of candidates. They must be able to demonstrate a range of speaking skills: interactional, social, transactional, negotiation and collaboration. The test lasts for fifteen minutes.