English for the Tourism Industry (EFTI)

from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Examinations Board (LCCIEB)

Tourism is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the world
today. The EFTI awards offered by the LCCIEB are aimed at those people
working or planning to work in this fast-growing sector.

English for the Tourism Industry (EFTI) is a group award made up of
written and oral components available at First and Second Levels. Although
written and oral examinations can be taken separately, candidates are
recommended to take both parts where possible.

For the First Level English for the Tourism Industry award candidates are
required to pass the Written English for Tourism (WEFT) First Level
examination and the Spoken English for Industry and Commerce First Level
examination.

For the Second Level English for the Tourism award candidates are
required to pass the Written English for Tourism Second Level
examination and Spoken English for Industry and Commerce Second Level
examination.

The Written English for Tourism examinations are available in all series and
on demand. The oral Spoken English for Industry and Commerce examinations
are available on demand.

Overview of the Written English for Tourism Exams

First Level

The First Level written examination takes 120 minutes. It is designed
for desk and reception staff in travel agencies, airlines, hotels, tour
operators, national tourism boards and tourist information centres.
Candidates will be asked to carry out 4 tasks that fit the given scenario.

Candidates may be required to:

• Reconstruct a text by filling blanks appropriately from information
  supplied.
  
• Write a short piece of continuous prose giving information or advice.
  Work out the requirements of a particular client and convey or record
  these as demanded in the rubric.
  
• Write a letter, note, fax or memo relevant to the scenario described,
  using the correct format.
  
• Complete a form based on standard documentation used in the tourism
  industry, eg a booking form, a loss, claim or accident report etc.
  
• Calculate numerical data and write it in a form for the given purpose,
  eg hotel bill, group reductions, mini bar sheet, journey time,
  dates of travel, etc.

Second Level

The Second Level writen examination takes 150 minutes. It is designed
for those who, in addition to customer contact, plan and develop the
services in administrative and managerial roles whether in hotels,
airlines, travel agencies, or other organisations in the field.

Candidates may be required to:

• Write extended prose to meet a specified purpose, eg the composition of
  a promotional letter, brochure, report, memo, exploratory letter, press
  article, etc.
  
• Write a short piece of continuous prose giving touristic or administrative
  information.
  
• Write one or more fax or telex messages solving a problem arising out
  of the scenario and using the data supplied.
  
• Respond in writing to an incoming fax, telex or letter, giving the
  information requested by selecting from data already supplied and
  resolving the correspondent’s difficulties. This may require the
  candidate to compose more than one message.
  
• Write an explanatory letter requiring tact and judicious use of material
  supplied to meet a complaint or other awkward situation arising out of
  the scenario.