A Test of English in the Workplace

An increasing number of companies are using BULATS to evaluate the English skills of potential job applicants, as well as existing employees, since the tests focus on the real-life skills that are actually used in the workplace, and the results give an accurate reflection of what test takers can actually do in English. The tests aim to be relevant to people using the language at work and cover areas such as descriptions of jobs, companies and products, travel, management and marketing, customer service, planning, reports, phone messages, business correspondence and presentations. The tasks in the test are practical ones, e.g. taking a phone message, checking a letter, giving a presentation, understanding an article, writing a report. In the speaking test, candidates have a one-to-one interview with an examiner and in the writing test, candidates are required to write extended discourse. Each test can be used independently of the others, or they can be used in various combinations. This principle of flexibility allows BULATS to customise the service for different situations.

The same test is used for all candidates whatever their level, and results are reported in terms of the six levels of the ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) Framework, and the Council of Europe Framework levels, A1-C2. ALTE members were involved in the development of the Common European Framework, and there is an exact correspondence in the levels, supported by a continuing programme of research. In addition, candidates receive a summary of the ALTE Can-do statements which describe what language users are actually able to do in English. These statements have been through a thorough validation process, in order to place them correctly on the 5 levels of the ALTE Framework.

BULATS is used by universities, companies and organisations around the world, including Airbus, the Emirates Group, Wipro Technologies, the Shanghai Municipal Government and the Hong Kong Workplace Campaign. Here in Japan, where the test is jointly-branded as BULATS, over 200 organisations use it, including Hitachi, JAC Japan, the British Council, Texas Instruments Japan Ltd., NEC Japan and Mainichi Communications. And increasingly, colleges and universities are recommending BULATS to students who will soon be entering the workforce since the tests focus on evaluating the skills needed in the workplace.

BULATS is available on demand - it can be taken at your convenience and on your premises. Only two weeks' notice is required. See below for details.

※Discount Package :
If the Computer Test or Standard Test is ordered together with the Speaking Test or Writing Test, then a 900 yen discount will apply for each candidate.