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The ECL exams (Level B)

 The equivalent of the Council of Europe level: B1

After achieving level B you can look for a job and work among colleagues speaking the target language; you start understanding newspaper and radio news, TV programmes, you can even try going to the cinema or theatre.

PARTS OF THE ECL EXAM

1. ORAL COMMUNICATION


Candidates will be interviewed in pairs. Odd numbers of candidates will be interviewed in threes.

Introduction (3-5 minutes approximately) - is not to be assessed.
The main purpose of this part of the test is, firstly, to put the candidates at their ease and to enable the interviewer to gather information about the candidates for the remainder of the exam.

Guided conversation (5 - 8 minutes)
The interviewer initiates a conversation based on a topic of his/her choice and by asking questions encourages a conversation between the two candidates.

Picture description based on visual stimuli (5 - 8 minutes)
The pictures are selected and provided by the interviewer. If necessary the interviewer can help the candidates with questions.

Marks are awarded on a scale of 0 to 5 (a total of 25) according to each of the following criteria:

Formal Accuracy (morphology and syntax) 0-5 points
Oral accuracy (pronunciation, prosody and fluency) 0-5 points
Vocabulary (range and activation) 0-5 points
Style (pragmatic and sociolinguistic aspects) 0-5 points
Communicative effectiveness (adequate task completion) 0-5 points
   

2. WRITING (sample tests: http://inyt.pte.hu/teszt.html)

The test assesses the ability of the candidate to write short texts related to everyday situations including general information

Formal Accuracy (morphology and syntax) 0-5 points
Accuracy (test construction and spelling) 0-5 points
Vocabulary (range and activation) 0-5 points
Style (pragmatic and sociolinguistic aspects) 0-5 points
Communicative effectiveness (adequate task completion) 0-5 points
   

3. READING COMPREHENSION
(sample tests: http://inyt.pte.hu/teszt.html)

The test assesses the ability of the candidate to understand short, simple texts of a general content (e.g. announcements, short travel information, simple forms, short news, timetables).


4. LISTENING COMPREHENSION

(sample tests: http://inyt.pte.hu/teszt.html)

The test assesses the ability of the candidate to understand a conversation between two native speakers about a topic familiar for the candidate and to grasp the general sense of simple public announcements (announcements, ads).

LEVEL B - ELEMENTARY
 
1. The individual
 

personal particulars
appearance
inner characteristics
 
2. Partnership
 


relatives, acquaintances, friends
classmates/schoolmates/ colleagues
 
3. Family
 



family members
family occasions /celebrations
distribution of tasks in the family
 
4. Place of living
 





environment
house/condominium/flat
furnishing/gadgets
rent and bills
housework
 
5. Travelling/transport
 


means of transport
timetable/information
public transport
buying tickets / travelling documents
 
6. Shopping/shops
 


shops/markets/department stores
groceries/household goods
clothing/electric appliances
 
7. Communication/keeping in contact
 



post (letter, telegram, parcel)
telephone (traditional, mobile)
Internet (e-mail)
 
8. Services
 



financial services (transfer, exchange)
restaurant (menu, ordering, paying)
hotel (booking, paying)
 
9. Culture/entertainment
 

guests
cinema, theatre
museumv
 
10. Time/weather
 

seasons
rainfall
weather forecast
 
11. Health/illnesses
 


at the doctor's
common illnesses and their symptoms
prescriptions / medication /pharmacy
 
12. Sport
 

popular sports
national sports
doing sports
 
13. Media
 

television/radio
newspapers/magazines
 
14. Hobby
 

gardening/DIY
reading/listening to music
PC
 
15. Studying/work
 

types of schools
subjects
popular professions/jobs
 
16. European Union
 

members of the EU
candidate countries
travelling/work/visa/customs within the EU
 
17. Culture and civilisation
 







basic practical information regarding the home country and the target language country (weather, currency, eating habits, daily routine, celebrations, shopping opportunities, etc.)
tourist attractions
accommodation/restaurants

 



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