Contents
Business Studies and Preparing for your Key English Test, IELTS 3.0
Rationale
KET
is Cambridge ESOL's exam which recognises the ability to deal
with everyday written and spoken English at a basic level.
Is KET for you?
- Do you have basic English skills?
- Can you understand simple written English?
- Can you communicate in familiar situations?
- Can you understand short notices and simple spoken directions?
If this describes your skills now, or describes the level of skills you are working towards, then KET is the right exam for you.
Continue ...
Introduction to Business
In economics, Business is the social science of managing people to organize and maintain collective productivity toward accomplishing particular creative and productive goals, usually to generate revenue.
The etymology of "business" refers to the state of being busy, in the context of the individual as well as the community or society. In other words, to be busy is to be doing commercially viable and profitable work.
The term "business" has at least three usages, depending on the scope — the general usage (above), the singular usage to refer to a particular company or corporation, and the generalized usage to refer to a particular market sector, such as "the record business," "the computer business," or "the business community" -- the community of suppliers of goods and services.
The singular "business" can be a legally-recognized entity within an economically free society, wherein individuals organize based on expertise and skills to bring about social and technological advancement. With some exceptions, (such as cooperatives, non-profit organizations and (typically) government institutions), in predominantly capitalist economies, businesses are formed to earn profit and grow the personal wealth of their owners.
In other words, the owners and operators of a business have as one of their main objectives the receipt or generation of a financial return in exchange for their work — that is, the expense of time, energy, and money.
However, the exact definition of business is disputable as is business philosophy; for example, most Marxists use "means of production" as a rough synonym for "business." Socialists advocate either government, public, or worker ownership of most sizable businesses.
- Types of businesses
- Limited and Unlimited Liability
- Organization
- Business and government
- Capital
- Intellectual property
- Business and management
- Exit plans
- Yahoo! Finance Aggregates some good financial articles and company information.
- MarketWatch.com Contains stock indices, business news, company information.
- International Business Times A business newspaper with global news coverage.
International English Language Testing System' ( IELTS, pronounced /'aijelts/ ) is a test of English language proficiency. It is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council and IDP Education Australia . Candidates may choose either the Academic Module or the General Training Module:
The Academic Module is intended for those who wish to enrol in universities and other institutions of higher education . The General Training Module is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes. IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions, by an increasing number of academic institutions in the USA, and by various professional organizations. It is also a requirement for migration to Australia and Canada.
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Individual Exams
These five exams are also known as the "Main Suite":
KET (Key English Test): elementary, IELTS 3.0
The test has three sections:
- Reading & Writing - 70 minutes
- Listening - 25 minutes
- Speaking - 8-10 minutes
- Vocabulary Test
- Grammar Test
PET (Preliminary English Test): intermediate, IELTS 4.0
The test has three sections:
- Reading and Writing - 90 minutes
- Listening - 30 minutes
- Speaking - an interview, 10 minutes
- Reading Test
- Writing part 1
- Writing part 3
FCE (First Certificate in English): upper intermediate, IELTS 5.5
The test has five sections:
- Reading - 75 minutes- free practice test! New
- Writing - 2 essays, 90 minutes - free practice test
- Use of English - 90 minutes - free practice test
- Listening - 40 minutes - free listening practice test
- Speaking - interview, normally with another candidate, 15 minute
- Reading test
- Use of English test
- Listening test
- Writing test
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): advanced, IELTS 6.5
The test has five sections:
- Reading - 75 minutes
- Writing - 2 or 3 tasks , 120 minutes
- English in Use - 6 tasks with 80 questions - 90 minutes - free Use of English tests
- Listening - 45 minutes - Click here for a free listening practice test
- Speaking - interview, normally with another candidate, 15 minutes
- Listening
- English In Use 1
- English in Use 2
- Use of English in Use 4
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): very advanced, IELTS 7.5
The test has five sections:
- Reading - 60 minutes
- Composition - 2 tasks, 2 hours
- Use of English - 90 minutes
- Listening - 3 or 4 recordings, 40 minutes
- Interview - normally with another candidate, 15 minutes
- Grammar Test
- Vocabulary Test
- Dictionary Test
For further details, click on Exam English Logos
Today's Videos
- Connect with us on http://www.youtube.com/finntrack
- Google's Playlists
Teaching and Learning Resources
English Listening Lounge Study Guide - Our study guide offers several ELL study tips. It's a good place for a first time ELL user to start.
Home - This
is the first page you'll encounter when visiting the site.
It offers the current ELL news and links to the passages,
a study guide, information on choosing a passage, FAQ, Help,
and more.
The
Passages page is where the magic of learning while you
listen happens! We have many different listening passages.
You may filter the passages by using the Domain, Level,
and Topic drop-down menu's. To choose a passage click on
it's title in the filtered results, 'Choose a passage',
select box. In order to listen to the chosen passage just
click the play button. To see the passages questions, questions
and answers, or transcript just click on the respected button
(i.e. Questions, Q/A, Transcript) under the passages context
graphic.
Study Guide
Choosing a Passage - This page gives an indepth look at the different passage levels. It also describes how you can tell if the level that you are choosing is right for you.
Domains of English - The Domains page provides a detailed explanation for each of the different domains of English; American English, British English, International English, Academic English, etc.
Some Theory - This page gives a theoretical explanation on how to study second language listening comprehension. It provides a simple overview of what scholars know about listening comprehension and more...
Our Recordings - Our Recordings tells how we make our recordings, about the sound quality, and the characteristics of our passages.
Transcription System - The Transcription System page describes the mains points of out transcription system. Including how we write down spoken language to still show its important characteristics.
System Requirements - Explains the necessary system configuration and the equipment you will need to use ELL.
FAQ - Go to FAQ to find the answers to some of our most common questions. It's a great place to go before requesting help because it might have the answer to your question already.
Help - The Help page provides a help form. Just fill out the form with your information, the problem you are having, and 'Make Contact'. We will respond within 24 hours.
Speaking
Information
Speaking: up to 10 minutes.
You will need to demonstrate you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Speaking tests are normally held with two candidates.
BBC Learning English -
For learners and teachers of English around the world. Updated regularly.
Words in the news - Horse owners hit by downturn (Friday 7th November)
In the UK, a charity has being inundated with calls from people who can no longer afford to keep their horses.
Crossword - Elections (Friday 7th November)
Ten clues to test your knowledge at the end of this election week.
Quiznet - Phrasal verbs - or Working it out (Thursday 6th November)
Can you work out the meanings of a few phrasal verbs? To find out, test yourself with this quiz based on the current Ask about English feature.
Talk about English - Insight plus (Thursday 6th November)
A new series about language and issues from the news. Part 16 - The United Nations.
Words in the news - US election reaction (Wednesday 5th November) After Barack Obama's victory there have been official messages of congratulations from around the world.
The boss of Virgin gives advice to entrepreneurs
Questionnaires for spoken introductions to use in new classes
- for a new class of learners who have not met before (oral)
- for use by 'old' learners to find our about 'new' learners (oral)
- for use by 'new' learners to learn the ropes from 'old' learners (oral)
- for use by all learners to uncover secrets about their teacher
Resources
- CLIL - An Overview - a diagram of some of the issues related to content and language integrated learning.
- What is Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)?
Reading and Writing
Reading and Writing: 1 hour 10 minutes.
You will need to be able to understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. You will also have to fill gaps in simple sentences and write a short piece of around 25 words.
Tutorials
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Readings
- Handouts for learners / teachers to print
- English Pronunciation: common mistakes by language background. Monophthongs and Diphthongs
- Songs for English Pronunciation Practice: lists of suitable songs by level and phoneme
- Songs with themes for English discussion: lists of suitable songs by level and topic
English Language Teaching Games: games (1 easy - 20 difficult) for the language classroom
1. Word Prompts
2. Kim's game (longer & longer lists)
3. Guessing nouns via "Is it + adjective" questions
4. Market trader: guess the connection (I can sell + LIST)
5. Comparisons: How is XXX like YYY?
6. BLIP (sometimes known as COFFEE POT) Guess the verb
7. Guess the ADVERB
8. The Preposition Game
9. Classroom observation
10. Simon says (Action verbs + Parts of the body)
11. TELEGRAMS / MESSAGES / ANAGRAMS
12. Find your partner (Stick self adhesive labels to Ss' backs)
13. What's my nationality? Who am I?
14. What's my job? (from open lists) Guessing games (closed lists)
15. The Airline HELP desk - miming
16. The Yes/No Game (from Michael Miles: "Take Your Pick")
17. Word in edgeways (Conversation game)
18. Consequences (Paper & Pencil game)
19. CHARADES: book / play / song / film / musical
20. 20 Questions: Animal, Vegetable or Mineral (Abstract with V connections)
Resources
Listening
Information
Listening: 30 minutes
You need to show your ability to understand announcements and other spoken material when spoken reasonably slowly.
About the Paper
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- KET Listening Overview
- A detailed look at each part of the paper with sample tasks
- DOs and DON'Ts
- Language Specifications for KET (PDF)
Classroom Activities
Skills Development
Tutorials
English Language Listening Exercises - These are multiple choice exercises with audio files for higher level students.
- Working from home. What is working from home like?
- E-Learning. Listen to the opinions about the use of e-learning for languages.
- Cars.
Listen to the problems associated with cars and answer
the questions.
- Written exercises on this topic.
- Food. Listen to the opinions on supermarkets
and food supply.
- Written exercises on this topic.
Other listening exercises for lower level students
Interview. A small exercise with sound files and multiple choice questions for low level students.
Supermarket. This is a story ordering exercise which uses a song by my friend Andy Brown. Listen to the song and put the sentences in order.
Readings
Does this situation seem familiar to you? Your English is progressing well, the grammar is now familiar, the reading comprehension is no problem, you are communicating quite fluently, but: Listening is STILL a problem!
First of all, remember that you are not alone. Listening comprehension is probably the most difficult task (noun=exercise, job) for almost all learners of English as a foreign language. So, now you know you are not alone....! OK. The most important thing is to listen, and that means as often as possible. The next step is to find listening resources. This is where the Internet really comes in handy (idiom = to be useful) as a tool for English students.
First you need to:
Download The RealPlayer from RealMedia.com
The RealPlayer allows you to listen to RealAudio and use the Internet like a radio station. Many sites now also provide listening using the Windows Media Player - or even have their own players on the site. Once you have the RealPlayer you can begin to listen to English as it is used in everyday life. The possibilities are almost unlimited. You can:
- Listen to the BBC.
Resources
Essential Texts
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Cambridge
Key English Test Extra Student's Book with answers and
CD-ROM Four authentic KET papers from Cambridge ESOL with extra guidance and exam tips, plus CD-ROM. Cambridge Key English Test Extra provides authentic past papers from Cambridge ESOL, plus a wealth of extra material for use in the classroom or for self-study. This title contains four complete KET past papers from Cambridge ESOL, a useful exam overview and helpful guidance on tackling each part of each paper. The with answers edition comes with a FREE accompanying CD-ROM that allows students to practice for the computer-based test. Check
the availability and buy your books from our Bookshop. |
Recommended Texts
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Cambridge
Grammar for PET Book with Answers and Audio CD Cambridge Grammar for PET provides complete coverage of the grammar needed for the Cambridge PET exam, and develops listening skills at the same time. It includes the full range of PET exam tasks from the Reading, Writing and Listening papers, and contains helpful grammar explanations and a grammar glossary. Louise
Hashemi Check the availability and buy your books from our Bookshop. |
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Activating 1001 Academic Words for IELTS - Book & CD-Rom Check the availability and buy your books from our Bookshop. |
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101 Helpful Hints for IELTS - Academic Module - Book & Cassette Check the availability and buy your books from our Bookshop. |
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101 Helpful Hints for IELTS - General Training Module - Book & Cassette Check the availability and buy your books from our Bookshop. |
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Introduction
to Business Workshop, 3e
Madura,
Jeff
Check the availability and buy your books from our Bookshop. Readings |
Resources
Click on image for PowerPoint Tutorials