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British Council Poland
What certificate holders can do… 
 

USEFUL LINKS:

On-line registration for the Spring session open from 1 December 2009 
 

Results statistics of Cambridge ESOL exams.

Candidate Support - the new website for students who are preparing to take a cambridge ESOL exam.

British Centres - Access state of the art on-line English courses and resources. Find out about exciting events in your area. Search for latest English Language books available in British Centres all over Poland.

CAMBRIDGE ESOL EXAMINATIONS

We offer a wide range of Cambridge ESOL English examinations:

All these examinations, prepared by Cambridge ESOL language experts, assess the ability to communicate effectively in English in realistic situations. That is why they are so popular among these who use English in their studies and work.

WHO accepts Cambridge ESOL exams?

We offer Cambridge language examinations, which are the most popular exams in the whole world.  Cambridge exams have been offered by the University of Cambridge for almost 100 years.

If you want to…

  • prove that you are ambitious
    Cambridge certificates provide both an objective and prestigious indication of your language skills.

  • study in Poland or abroad
    Cambridge certificates are internationally recognised by many universities and educational institutions as English language entrance requirements.
    In Poland almost 200 universities recognise KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC and IELTS exams at various stages of education career .  Click on the exam to check which universities recognise it.

  • find a good job
    Cambridge certificates are recognised by top international companies as an English language qualification
    In Poland over 50 companies recognise KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC and IELTS exams. Click on the exam to check which companies recognise it.

  • become a civil servant
    FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC Vantage, BEC Higher and IELTS (over 6) are accepted by the Polish Civil Service Office as an English language qualification required from Polish civil servants.

  • become an English language teacher
    FCE passed with a grade A or B is acknowledged by the Ministry of Education as proven language skills required from people who wish to become English teachers in preschools and classes 1 to 3 in primary schools as well as teachers of subjects taught in English excluding English lessons in bilingual schools.
    CAE and CPE passed with a grade A, B or C is acknowledged by the Ministry of Education as proven language skills required from people who wish to become English teachers in preschools, primary schools, lower secondary schools, vocational schools, high schools, specialized high schools, technical high schools, supplementary high schools, supplementary technical high schools, schools of FE, teaching libraries and other educational institutions.
    Additionally, from 1st September 2009, IELTS (5,0 - 6,0 points) will be acknowledged by the Ministry of Education as proven language skills required from people who wish to become English teachers in preschools and classes 1 to 3 in primary schools as well as teachers of subjects taught in English excluding English lessons in bilingual schools.
    Also, from 1st September 2009, IELTS (6,5 points and more) will be acknowledged by the Ministry of Education as proven language skills required from people who wish to become English teachers in preschools, primary schools, lower secondary schools, vocational schools, high schools, specialized secondary schools, technical high schools, supplementary high schools, supplementary technical high schools, schools of FE, teaching libraries and other educational institutions.
    Apart from the above mentioned qualifications such a person must meet other criteria and conditions referred to in the directive.

  • work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    CPE is recognised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a suitable English language qualification.

  • become a tour guide
    FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC Vantage, BEC Higher and IELTS (band 6 or more) are recognised by the Polish Ministry of Education as a suitable English Language qualification .

  • go to Australia, New Zealand or Canada
    In Poland IELTS is required by the foreign embassies of Australia, New Zealand and Canada for emigration purposes.

  • receive British citizenship
    IELTS (band 6,5 or more) is recognised by the Home Office in Great Britain as an English language qualification for foreigners applying for British citizenship.

  • receive a lifelong language certificate
    Remember that KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE and BEC certificates are valid for life.  IELTS is valid for two years.

How do I register?

Please note that for individual candidates only electronic registration is available and valid (refer to a link above).

Language school candidates should check if their schools register them.

The registration procedures for Winter 2009 examinations session are as follows:

A. In order to register for an examination in the standard entry period you should:

1. Read the Cambridge ESOL Examinations Regulations Winter 2009 carefully.

2. In the period from 1st September 2009 to 6th October 2009 enter your candidature into the candidates on-line database in the British Council EntryNet system on www.britishcouncil.pl.

3. By 7th October 2009 deposit the required fee according to the instructions given in the British Council EntryNet.

Candidates who by the above dates do not observe the procedures stated in points A.1, A.2 and A.3 will not be able to enter for the Winter 2009 session of the Cambridge ESOL examinations in the standard entry period and their personal data will be deleted from the candidates database in the British Council EntryNet on-line registration system.

B. In order to register for an examination in the Late Entry period you should:

1. Read the Cambridge ESOL Examinations Regulations Winter 2009 carefully.

2. In the period from 7th to 19th October 2009 enter your candidature into the candidates on-line database in the British Council EntryNet system on www.britishcouncil.pl.

3. By 20th October 2009 deposit the required fee according to the instructions given in the British Council EntryNet.

Candidates who do not observe the procedures stated in points B.1, B2 and B3 by the above dates will not be able to enter for the Winter 2009 session of the Cambridge ESOL examinations in the Late Entry period and their personal data will be deleted from the candidates database in the British Council EntryNet on-line registration system.

Important: Candidates will receive by e-mail the confirmation that their data was successfully added to the candidates on-line database together with information regarding payment details and the examination fee. The submission of proof of payment is not required. When the payment is accredited to the British Council account the candidate will receive an e-mail with the conformation of registration for a Cambridge ESOL examination in the Winter 2009 session.Candidates should keep both e-mail messages until they receive an e-mail with the Statement of Entry with the detailed plan of the session.

When can I register?

REGISTRATION DATES FOR KET, PET, FCE, CAE AND CPE

KET and PET exams are offered two times a year in Summer and Winter sessions.

FCE, CAE and CPE exams are offered three times a year in Spring, Summer and Winter sessions.

Winter 2009
Normal Entry Registration 1 September - 6 October 2009
Late Entry (FCE, CAE and CPE only) 7 – 19 October 2009

Where can I register and sit the exam?

BRITISH COUNCIL EXAMINATION CENTRES IN POLAND

CENTRE: ADDRESS: CONTACTS: PHONE NUMBER & E-MAIL
PL032
BIAŁYSTOK
Czytelnia Neofilologiczna Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku
ul. Liniarskiego 3
15-950 Białystok
Barbara Kraszewska
Kazimierz Klekotko
Ewa Wyszczelska Oksie
tel. 085 745 75 21
e-mail
WWW
PL070
BIELSKO BIAŁA
International House
ul. Zielona 32, 43-300 Bielsko-Biała
Agnieszka Gacek
Joanna Gębczyńska
tel. 033 822 33 30 or 033 811 79 27
fax. 033 822 33 50
e-mail
PL047
CZĘSTOCHOWA
English Language Courses
British Centre
ul. Dąbrowskiego 8
42-200 Częstochowa
Henryka Rabenda
Anna Nabiałek
tel. 034 361 59 14
e-mail
WWW
PL004
GDAŃSK
English Language Centre
ul. Polanki 62
80-306 Gdańsk
Grażyna Zawisza
Katarzyna Meger
Anna Ignaciuk
tel. 058 341 05 58
e-mail
WWW
PL037
GLIWICE
Szkoła Języków Obcych Britam Lisowscy, Podhajni, Sp.j.
ul. Górnych Wałów 40
44-100 Gliwice
Magdalena Pawlaczek
Maria Podhajna
tel./fax 032 231 22 16
e-mail
WWW
PL069
GORZÓW WIELKOPOLSKI
MACPHERSON
ul. Składowa 11, 66-400 Gorzów Wielkopolski
Renata Szumilas
Joanna Hubert-Spychała
tel. 095 72 03 578
e-mail
www
PL007
KATOWICE
English Language Centre
ul. Bankowa 14
40-007 Katowice
Maria Gałązka
Małgorzata Bolek-Bartoszek
tel. 032 359 22 11
fax. 032 359 22 12
e-mail
WWW
PL042
KIELCE
International House
ul. Wesoła 33
25-353 Kielce
Elżbieta Wojsa tel. 041 343 04 30
fax. 041 343 02 61
e-mail
WWW
PL044
KOSZALIN
EUREKA - Studium Języków Obcych Matejko & Muchowska
ul. Wojska Polskiego 24 – 26
75–712 Koszalin
Anna Muchowska
Joanna Sosnowska
Ewa Reczka
tel. 094 347 14 99
e-mail
WWW
PL001
KRAKÓW
British Council
Rynek Główny 6
31-042 Krakow
Examinations Services tel. 012 428 59 37
fax. 012 428 59 40
e-mail
PL010
LUBLIN
British Library of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska Uniwersity in Lublin
ul. Zuchów 2
20-047 Lublin
Elżbieta Stelmach-Misztal
Ewa Krzywicka
Urszula Lewandowska
Ewa Tyburek
tel. 081 741 86 24
e-mail
WWW
PL005
ŁÓDŹ
English Language Centre
ul. Lindleya 8
90-131 Łódź
Joanna Perlińska
Jolanta Rosińska
tel. 042 665 57 55
fax. 042 665 57 60
e-mail
WWW
PL052
OLSZTYN
Międzynarodowe Centrum Biznesu i Administracji Publicznej
Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski
ul. Prawocheńskiego 19/100
10-720 OLSZTYN - Kortowo
Maria Siemionek
Robert Popiołek
tel. 089 523 49 28
e-mail
WWW
PL033
OPOLE
ILS International School; Centrum Języków Obcych
ul. Ozimska 63 A
45-368 Opole
Małgorzata Besz-Janicka
Aleksandra Wąsowicz
tel. 077 44 17 677
fax. 077 453 15 97
e-mail
WWW
PL006
POZNAŃ
Szkoła Języka Angielskiego INTERSECTION
ul. Sienkiewicza 8/5
60-817 Poznań
Magdalena Łowczynowska
Monika Wołyńska
tel. 061 847 66 04
fax. 061 847 66 05
e-mail
WWW
PL072
PŁOCK
Centrum Edukacji Grupa ORLEN
ul. Kobylińskiego 25, 09-400 Płock
Joanna Lisiewska
Ewelina Frankie
tel. 024 365 86 19
fax. 024 365 86 24
e-mail
www
PL0071
RADOM
CITY COLLEGE
ul. Żeromskiego 33, 26-600 Radom
Edyta Siara
Agata Czarnecka-Chałupka
tel. 048 363 22 09
e-mail
www
PL031
RZESZÓW
Szkoła Języków i Zarządzania
Promar International
ul. Bohaterów 12
35-112 Rzeszów
Teresa Rokosz
Ewa Wawszczak-Rybka
Dorota Podolec
tel. 017 85 30 997
e-mail
WWW
PL002
WARSZAWA
British Council
Al. Jerozolimskie 59
00-697 Warsaw
Examinations Services tel. 022 695 59 00
fax. 022 695 59 30
e-mail
PL003
WROCŁAW
English Language Centre
ul. Kuźnicza 22
50-138 Wrocław
Joanna Bajorek
Anna Gostkowska
tel. 071 375 29 55
e-mail
WWW
PL068
ZIELONA GÓRA
LINGUA VIVA
Języki Świata
ul. Bohaterów Westerplatte 11,
65-034 Zielona Góra
Małgorzata Zielińska, Małgorzata Swoboda tel. 068 329 94 64
fax 068 329 94 63, e-mail
WWW

What are the examination fees?

EXAMINATION FEES FOR THE WINTER 2009 SESSION are as follows:

KET - Key English Test 250 PLN
PET - Preliminary English Test 265 PLN
FCE - First Certificate in English 495 PLN
CAE - Certificate in Advanced English 520 PLN
CPE - Certificate of Proficiency in English 550 PLN

When do the exams take place?

DATES OF CAMBRIDGE ESOL EXAMINATIONS IN winter 2009

Winter 2009
KET
Papers: Reading, Writing and Use of English and Listening 21 November
Paper: Speaking 13 - 23 November
PET
Papers: Reading, Writing and Use of English and Listening 21 November
Paper: Speaking 13 - 23 November
FCE
Papers: Reading, Writing and Use of English and Listening 12 December (all examination centres)
8 December (Warsaw and Krakow only)
Paper: Speaking 20 November - 20 December
CAE
Papers: Reading, Writing and Use of English and Listening 9 December
Paper: Speaking 20 November - 20 December
CPE
Papers: Reading, Writing and Use of English and Listening 10 December
Paper: Speaking 20 November - 20 December

Special needs

1. DISABLED CANDIDATES

Candidates who require special arrangements (e.g. candidates with hearing or visual difficulties) are asked to provisionally report it while entering their data into the candidates’ on-line database in the British Council EntryNet system. Relevant supporting documentation – a medical certificate and a form completed and signed by the candidate (available also in the British Council EntryNet system and in all examination centres) - should be submitted to the examination centre by the end of the particular registration period (detail information in point How do I register?).

2. DYSLEXIA

Candidates applying for 25 % extra time for the written parts of the examination because of dyslexia, dysgraphy or dysorthography are asked to provisionally report it while entering their data into the candidates’ on-line database in the British Council EntryNet system and submit the following documents to the examination centre by the end of the particular registration period (detail information in point How do I register?):

1. A report provided by a fully qualified educational, clinical or chartered psychologist:

a) issued not earlier than December 2007

b) stating details of the degree of dyslexia, dysgraphy or dysorthography

c) naming tests conducted to diagnose dyslexia, dysgraphy or dysorthography

2. A form completed and signed by the candidate (available also in the British Council EntryNet system and in all examination centres).

Important: No documents will be accepted after the end of the particular registration period. Any request for special arrangements of candidates who provisionally reported their special arrangements needs while entering their data into the candidates’ on-line database in the British Council EntryNet system, but did not deliver the abovementioned documents by the end of the particular registration period will not be taken into consideration.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I DID NOT PASS MY TEST OR HAVE LOST MY CERTIFICATE?

There are two options open to candidates who did not receive a pass grade on their test and wish to verify their results.

  • 1st stage results enquiry (clerical re-check),

  • 2nd stage results enquiry (full re-mark).

Candidates who have lost their certificates or need a duplicate copy can apply for:

  • a duplicate copy of their certificate (in specified circumstances),

  • a certifying statement.

Detailed information and fees for the above services can be found in the following document: Results & Certificates – fees and instructions.

How can I apply for an invoice or reimbursement?

INVOICES:

If you want to receive an invoice for your exam payment, fill in one of the forms below:

British Council is not a payer of VAT.

REIMBURSEMENTS

  • If you paid for an exam, but did not register you are entitled to a full refund. Click here to download a Refund Form. Fill it in and submit to the examination centre.

If you were not able to take part in the written part of the exam because of health reasons you are entitled to a 60% refund of the basic examination fee. The basis for the refund is a Medical certificate signed by your doctor and submitted to the address below no later than the deadline stated in the regulations of the session:
  
British Council Examinations Services
Al. Jerozolimskie 59
00-697 Warsaw

In all other cases reimbursements are not possible (more information in the regulations of the session).

How can I make a suggestion or lodge a complaint?

Our aim is to continuously improve our services to our customers. If you should have any suggestions or comments that may help us in this process please contact us.

Any comments you may have concerning the conduct of the examination should be directed to the Supervisor immediately after the examination and in writing to the examination centre staff no later than by the date stated in session regulations. In the case of the Listening test all comments should be reported at the beginning of the test, after hearing the introductory recording.

Please read our complaints procedure.

WHAT DOES MY LANGUAGE LEVEL MEAN?

COUNCIL OF EUROPE LEVELS

The Council of Europe Common European Framework of Reference is intended to describe the criteria of language knowledge and skills of language learners across Europe. Please find below a comparison of Cambridge ESOL General English Exams with the Council of Europe global scale levels.

Detailed description
A1

Break-through
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
A2

Waystage
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
B1

Threshold
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
B2

Vantage
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
C1

Effective Proficiency
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
C2

Mastery
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
For more information please visit the Council of Europe webpage.

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