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The OCR Certificate in Business Language Competence (CBLC)
Principles of teaching
Course content
The CBLC focuses on business related vocabulary and situations and is available in a range of languages from entry level to advanced.
Entry level is 100% orally assessed and covers the following topics:
- Dealing with visitors to the company
- Arriving at a hotel
- Dealing with directions and signs
- Travelling on business
Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the CBLC have units as follows:
Reading (from simple signs at level 1 to business documents at level 3)
Listening (from travel announcements to business related discussions)
Talking to colleagues (both formally and informally). At level 3, this is a business presentation with follow-up questions and answers
Doing business by telephone (from simple enquiries to giving advice)
In order to prepare for this assessment, students will need plenty of practice in the tasks they will be tested on. Materials are available from OCR. In addition, the Language Networks for Excellence based at the Midlands Curriculum Centre for Languages have produced a range of resources for teachers and learners for the CBLC.
Use of authentic work contexts
As the course is work-related there are exciting opportunities to simulate a working environment in the classroom. Students should be encouraged to assume the role of business people and could also be taught polite conventions and cultural aspects of doing business abroad to add a more adult dimension to the course. Students could be encouraged to occasionally dress in business clothing to add an even more authentic feel to the situation. If native speakers from the business community could be invited into school for a planned event this would be excellent. An example could be a group of level 3 students giving business presentations to invited guests. If nibbles and soft drinks could be provided, then the event could seem even more realistic.
Links with businesses and local attractions, visits abroad
It is very useful if links can be forged with local businesses to enhance the delivery of the CBLC course. Links can begin in very small ways such as a visit to a local hotel to investigate what is being done to welcome visitors from abroad. Perhaps the students could offer to create a list of phrases for the receptionist to use in the language they are studying to enable them to greet foreign visitors in other languages. This could be a laminated card presented to the hotel for their staff to use. Students could also prepare some signs for the hotel in a similar way. Such a link can help students to see the value of their language learning.
Older students may be able to undertake a work placement using their language skills.
Preparing for external assessment
The students will need time to prepare for the external assessment and will need to practise in advance. For the oral assessments, if the practice can be with someone other than their normal teacher (a foreign language assistant or other member of staff), this will give students an experience of working with someone less familiar. It is advisable for these practice assessments to be recorded, especially if conducted with someone other than the regular teacher, so that the teacher can give clear feedback to the student on areas for improvement.
For more information on teaching the course, consult the tutor handbook, which can be downloaded from the OCR website.
