2010年4月 5日
BULATS:知られざるビジネス英語検定の世界基準
BULATS (Business Language Testing Service) という世界的に有名なビジネス英語の検定試験があります。ケンブリッジ英検の運営母体であるケンブリッジ大学と、これまた語学検定の老舗である、アリアンスフランセーズ(わが国では日仏学院で通っています)、ゲーテ協会、サラマンカ大学(セルバンテス協会)が協力して開発、作成したテストで、英語版、フランス語版、ドイツ語版、スペイン語版があります。ビジネスの現場でやっていけるだけの語学力があるかを試す実務検定です。
法人単位でしか受けられないため知名度は低いものの、わが国では英検があと押ししていることもあって、毎年、受験者数が伸びています(当然、英語版です)。最後に関係者から聞いた話では5,000人規模ということでした。
テストがどう実施されるかはこちらでご覧になれます。
企業も徐々に現場で使える英語を重視し始めており、ある大手メーカーなどは、専任のトレーナーを雇い入れて全社規模で受験させる体制を整えつつあります。
そのBULATS、どんな質問に答える必要があるかをご紹介します。この模擬テストを作成したのは、今、BULATSに準拠したビジネス英語の教科書を作成している Dave Davies で、こういう方。
Born in the UK, Dave Davies holds degrees in English and Education from the University of London, and Linguistics from the University of Cambridge. He is the author of 10 books on English language learning and testing, including Business English, Advanced (co-author Kiyoto Hinata-sensei). イギリス生まれ。ロンドン大学で英語学ならびに教育学の学位を、また、ケンブリッジ大学で言語学の学位を取得。近刊の日向清人との共著 Business English, Advanced を含め、英語学習、テスト法の著書を10冊出している。
Dave has delivered hundreds of business communication seminars throughout the USA., Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan, to clients including the US Government, Microsoft and McDonalds. He is a qualified and experienced Cambridge ESOL/IELTS/BULATS examiner who has examined thousands of candidates, and trained hundreds of examiners, around the world. デイブは、アメリカ、カナダ、イギリス、オーストラリア、ニュージーランド、ホンコン、韓国、日本でビジネスコミュニケーションのセミナーで講師を務めて来ており、クライエントには米政府、マイクロソフト社、マックドナルド社などが含まれる。また、ケンブリッジ英検、IELTS、ならびに BULATS 試験委員として、これまで数千人の受験生の能力判定を手がけたおり、世界各国で試験委員の養成にも当たって来た。
文中出てくる私との共著は、構成を相談しながら考え、デイブが具体的に必要な言い回しを考えるという手順で進めてきました。今は必要なフレーズを絞り込んで、勘どころを説明したメモを盛り込んでいるところです。年内には出版の予定です。
BULATS の模擬テスト
PART 1 (Phase 1)
Good morning, I’m John Smith.
Good morning. My name is Takeshi Obara. Please call me Takeshi.
Thank you. But first of all I’d like to check your last name. How do you spell that?
O-B-A-R-A
Thank you, that’s fine. OK, Takeshi, where are you from?
I am from Kawagoe in Saitama.
Would you say that is a good place to live?
I think so.
Why do you think that?
Because it has a good mixture of traditional and modern life. There are some very well-preserved buildings from the Meiji era in Old Kawagoe, whereas the station area is a busy suburban hub with excellent rail links to Tokyo.
I see. Do you think it would be better to live in the suburbs or the city centre?
I think both have their benefits. For younger people, the intense activity of inner city life may be more attractive. For families, on the other hand, the quieter lifestyle of the suburbs may be more comfortable.
Perhaps. (Phase 2) Do you work, or are you a student?
I work.
What do you do?
I am a sales manager for an automotive company.
What exactly does that involve?
Well, I manage a team of sales people. We have to set goals and targets, design and run marketing campaigns, manage relationships with customers, and of course write regular reports.
I see. What made you decide on that kind of work?
I think I chose a sales career for two reasons: first, because I enjoy communicating with people; and secondly, because I can see a clear link between effort and results.
Are there things you don’t like about it?
I think every situation has positive and negative aspects.
For example?
Reports can be time-consuming. And failing to reach sales targets during times of economic recession can be very demoralizing.
Yes. (Phase 3) How do you see your career developing?
I would hope to gain enough experience to be promoted, perhaps to Sales or Marketing Director.
Is English important in your career?
Yes, of course.
Why?
Because it is the most widely-used language in international business, and this is the global era. I believe English is an essential qualification for any business or professional person in the 21st Century.
Thank you.
PART 2
Now I’d like you to give a short presentation. Choose one from these 3 different topics and talk about it for one minute.
First you have a minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make notes.
After you’ve finished, I’ll ask you one or two questions about your presentation.
OK? Here are your topics:

Remember, you can make notes…
C. Notes:
• My assistant – does everything
• Covers when I’m away
• Work habits, appearance, attitude, customer service
Please begin. Remember you only have a minute, so don’t worry if I stop you.
I would like to describe the co-worker I most admire.
This person is my administrative assistant. Basically, she does everything, from making the tea to producing last-minute reports.
Since I am the sales manager, she is also my personal assistant. I know that whenever I have to make a business trip she can cover many of my responsibilities and our department will be in good hands.
My assistant always arrives at the office before anyone else, she keeps a list of action items for the day, and she never leaves until the list is completed. She always leaves her desk clear except for a photograph of her family.
Her appearance is always professional and her manner is always friendly and polite. She treats everyone, inside as well as outside the organization, including me, as her customers. This is a very good way, I think.
Thank you. Would you change anything about this person? Please give reasons for your answer.
No, I don’t think I would change anything. My assistant seems to be very happy in her work, and this is important for a happy life. I think if anything needed to be changed, we would not be enjoying the harmonious working relationship that we presently enjoy.
Thank you.
PART 3
Now I’m going to give you another task sheet.
(3A, Information Exchange)
You have one minute to read through this task and think about it:

Please start when you’re ready.
Yes, well, good morning. Thank you for coming here to meet with us.
Thank you for the invitation.
Yes. Well, as you know, we are planning to hold a training seminar on April 1st.
I would like to find out about the facilities you are offering.
Right. What can I tell you?
Well, first of all, how big is the seminar room?
Our seminar room fits a maximum of 50 people.
I see. That’s fine, we don’t expect more than 25 or 30. My next question is, what is the cost for half a day?
Well, the cost per day is $400 dollars.
I see. And is the room available for half a day?
Yes.
And what would be the cost.
That would be $200.
Thank you. And my final question is, what equipment is included with the room for that fee?
You would have the use of Digital OHP and microphone; whiteboard, TV and DVD.
I see. Well, thank you very much, you’ve answered all my questions. We’ll be in touch.
Thank you.
(3B, follow-up question:)
Do you think our conference centre is offering good value for money?
Yes, certainly. It’s a large room big enough to hold 50 people, there’s a lot equipment included, and the price is very reasonable.
Thank you.
(3C) Now let’s move on to the discussion topic:
What makes a successful seminar?
What do you think?
What makes a successful seminar? Well, in my opinion, probably the most important element in a seminar is the presenter. The presenter sets the agenda, sets the mood, and sets the pace.
Which leads me to the other important aspects. I believe a seminar must be relevant and interesting to begin with, and both the advertising and the presenter should set a clear agenda.
Next I think a seminar should be an enjoyable experience, because we learn better when we are comfortable and not distracted. The seminar leader should create an atmosphere of positive energy, which everyone in the group will pick up on and share.
Finally the pace of the seminar is important. If it moves too fast, important information will be lost and people will feel frustrated. If the pace is too slow, people will not be challenged and their attention will wander.
Do you think location is an important factor?
Yes, I think the location would have to be convenient. Spending a lot of time and effort to reach the seminar could make you tired before you begin.
How about price?
Price is always an issue. I think there has to be a balance between bargain-basement on the one hand and what the market will stand on the other.
How important is the seminar room itself?
Very important. It must be clean, well-lit and ventilated. Also clear lines of sight are important, as well as comfortable and functional furniture.
OK. Thank you. That is the end of the test.
The Examiner says…
SCORE: 5+, top marks!
• Displays wide and accurate use of language resources…
a good mixture of traditional and modern life
very well-preserved buildings from the Meiji era
a busy suburban hub with excellent rail links
there has to be a balance between bargain-basement on the one hand and what the market will stand on the other
• With effective extended discourse
What makes a successful seminar? Well, in my opinion, probably the most important element in a seminar is the presenter. The presenter sets the agenda, sets the mood, and sets the pace.
Which leads me to the other important aspects. I believe a seminar must be relevant and interesting to begin with, and both the advertising and the presenter should set a clear agenda.
Next I think a seminar should be an enjoyable experience, because we learn better when we are comfortable and not distracted. The seminar leader should create an atmosphere of positive energy, which everyone in the group will pick up on and share.
Finally the pace of the seminar is important. If it moves too fast, important information will be lost and people will feel frustrated. If the pace is too slow, people will not be challenged and their attention will wander.
• Achieves and expands on tasks
Because it is the most widely-used language in international business, and this is the global era. [Expansion:] I believe English is an essential qualification for any business or professional person in the 21st Century.
• Coherent, easy to follow and understand
Because it has a good mixture of traditional and modern life. There are some very well-preserved buildings from the Meiji era in Old Kawagoe, whereas the station area is a busy suburban hub with excellent rail links to Tokyo.
• Maintains flow of language and interaction
E: Do you think location is an important factor?
C: Yes, I think the location would have to be convenient. Spending a lot of time and effort to reach the seminar could make you tired before you start.
E: How about price?
C: Price is always an issue. I think there has to be a balance between bargain-basement on the one hand and what the market will stand on the other.
E: How important is the seminar room itself?
C: Very important.
• Requires no prompting
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Comments
BULATSですが、最初の住んでいる地域についての質問(Would you say that is a good place to live?)は試験の導入箇所でありながら、普段から意識していないと瞬間的には返事出来なさそうですね。私も実はBULTASを人材紹介会社のサービスの一環として受けたことがありますが、そのときは「今住んでいる地域と、あなたが引っ越し前に住んでいたという地域とではどちらが住みよいか?」という旨の質問をされて、咄嗟に返答するのが難しかった記憶があります。
ビジネス英語の会話力をはかる試験としてはBULATSは良いと思います。文科省後援の英検準1級面接試験は四コマ漫画を見て説明する内容で、英検1級になると「民主主義は最良の統治制か」などと話題が高尚になり過ぎるので、BULATSは穏当ですね。
[返信]
「今住んでいる地域と、あなたが引っ越し前に住んでいたという地域とではどちらが住みよいか?」という質問は、平易な英語をきちんと使えるかを見きわめるかのためのオーソドックスな設問だと思います。ケンブリッジ英検でもわりとよく出てくる質問です。
- 羊
- 2010年4月 5日 22:55
BULATS の模擬テストの内容を読んで、日本語で同じ質問をしたとしても、同じレベルで応答できる日本人って少ないだろうなと感じました。川越市民でも川越を自分の言葉で日本語で説明できる人はどれくらいいるのか?書店の実学コーナーにコミュニケーション能力の向上を図る指南書が賑わっているのが現実です。小学生から英語を学習するという発想が理解できません。それよりも、本を読ませ、抽象的な概念を扱えるようにさせ、自分の言葉で自分の考えを発表できるプレゼン能力を養成した方が良いというのが私の意見です。それから、外国語の学習を始めても遅くはないとおもいます。別に英語でなくてもいいのではと。今のところ、英語がデファクトスタンダードなので、英語になってしまいますが、将来的には、英語が今のように席巻しているかどうかは、誰にも分かりません。ある言語の勢力は、それを使う側の政治、経済力と表裏一体ですので。英語も歴史的に見ればノルマン人による征服の結果、支配階級の言語は英語ではない時期があります。近世でも、ドーデーの作品「最後の授業」に描かれているように母国語のフランス語を教えることが禁止されていた時期と場所がありました。独仏戦争の結果です。 退職するまで、英語の教科を担当していましたが、若いとき、年配の国語科の教員から「英語科は、国語科に感謝しなければいけない。国語が出来て(外国語の)英語が出来るんだ」と言われました。その通りだとおもいます。まとめると母語で表現能力を高めることが外国語の学びに必要ではないかということです。
[返信]
ありがとうございます。ちなみに、実証研究では、外国語を学ぶことで初めて国語の能力が押し上げられるというものもあります。
- 結城つむぎ
- 2010年4月 5日 21:37

BULATS の問題例を読みました。TOEIC と比較して、かなり難しいという印象を持ちました。TOEIC よりは、こちらのテストの方がビジネスに必要な英語力全般を測ることができるかと思います。1週間で100点上げる・・・といった、胡散臭い問題集は、このテストに関しては出てこないでしょう(READING は別ですが)。
先生が書かれている共著の出版を、楽しみに待っています。
[返信]
今度の本を通読されれば、どの程度の受け答えが標準なのかがわかるかと思います。頑張ります。応援、ありがとうございます。