The English Language Centre
Fees in Oxford and London are approximately £200.
Examinations are prepared in the English Language Centre for our own students as well as external candidates.
KEY is a first step for students wishing to progress towards the Preliminary (B1). Although it is at a basic level, it helps you to find out your strengths and weaknesses. This level enables people to gain basic English skills, understand short notices and simple spoken directions, communicate in familiar situations.
If you can deal with everyday written and spoken communications (e.g. read simple textbooks and articles, write simple personal letters, make notes during a meeting), then this is the exam for you. At this level, learners should be able to cope linguistically in a range of practical every day situations including work and study.
Choose FIRST if your knowledge of English is adequate for many practical everyday purposes, including business and study. FIRST is ideal if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career which requires language skills (e.g. business, medicine, engineering). FIRST indicates sufficient proficiency in English to be of practical use in clerical, secretarial and managerial jobs in many industries, in particular tourism, where contact with English speakers is required. Successful candidates have the ability to deal with routine letters and telephone enquiries, and to cope with some non-academic training courses and simple textbooks and articles.
Choose ADVANCED if you are reaching a standard of English that is adequate for most purposes, including social and professional situations, and in higher education. Studying for ADVANCED helps you to improve your language skills and use them in a wide range of contexts. The exams are based on realistic tasks, and indicate the ability to use the language in practical situations. If you are successful, you'll be able to participate in meetings and discussions, expressing opinions clearly, and be able to understand and produce texts of various types, including business letters and reports. You'll also be more than capable of following university courses taught in English.
If you are able to function effectively in almost any English-speaking context and are approaching a standard of English similar to that of an educated native speaker, this is the exam for you. Proficiency is the highest level examination which shows progress beyond a good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and an ability to use the language in real contexts. Ideal for those seeking to work or study abroad, or to develop a career which requires language skills.
There are three BEC exams:
More than ever, a good knowledge of English is needed to succeed in international business and commerce. If you can show you have the relevant language skills you'll have a great advantage in the job market and a much greater flexibility if you want to work abroad.
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking - for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. The test scores candidates in a range from 1 (non-user) to 9 (expert user). Scores of 6.5 and above are usually accepted by academic institutions worldwide as demonstrating an appropriate level of English language proficiency.
We prepare students for the IELTS examination, and students can take the exam at Reading University, Oxford and London. There are more centres, but these are the closest to Reading.