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FAQs

General

  1. What does the HKVEP offer?
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    The HKVEP works with approved course providers to establish a quality-assured system of assessment. The assessment is competency-based, enabling course participants to demonstrate what they 'can do' in vocational/workplace English.

    The HKVEP assists course providers who want to benchmark their courses to the HKVEP to obtain Centre Approval from the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry International Qualifciations (LCCI). As part of the Centre Approval process, the HKVEP reviews curricula and course teaching and learning plans.

    Details of the services provided by the HKVEP can be obtained by contacting the HKVEP Unit by email hkvep@vtc.edu.hk or telephone 25383107.

  2. What courses does the HKVEP offer?
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    The HKVEP does not run training programmes. The HKVEP is a framework for the development of curricula, assessment and qualifications. Course providers can benchmark their courses to the HKVEP.

  3. How can I find out which courses are currently benchmarked to the HKVEP? |
    The section 'Organisations using the HKVEP' on this website lists providers who are offering courses benchmarked to the HKVEP. Providers may be contacted directly for more information about their courses.

  4. How does the HKVEP compare to other international tests of English?
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    The HKVEP is unique, in that it was developed specifically for Hong Kong. HKVEP assessments are derived from the course content and formulated to enable participants to demonstrate the development of competencies closely related to their job or vocational needs. Other international tests of English have fixed formats which do not necessarily relate closely to particular course content or specific workplace requirements.

    Participants in HKVEP benchmarked courses do not need to take a separate examination at the end of a course. Assessments occur throughout the course and an average overall grade is derived from the assessment results.

    The most popular other international tests of English such as BULATS or IELTS are valid and reliable tests when used for the purpose for which they were developed. (BULATS: a tool for organisations to obtain a 'snapshot' of current language levels (IELTS: for indicators of ability to study or live in an English-speaking environment The HKVEP's reliability and validity is assured through accreditation by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry International Qualifications (LCCI) and its use with thousands of students in Hong Kong.

  5. How do HKVEP levels compare with the levels in other international examinations such as BULATS, IELTS or TOEIC?
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    A comparison table of international examinations including the HKVEP Levels is shown on the Workplace English Campaign website.

  6. Does the HKVEP offer or deliver any courses itself?
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    No, it does not. The HKVEP aims to partner with course providers to enhance quality assurance and outcomes of competency-based teaching, learning and assessment.

  7. How well-known is the HKVEP?
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    The HKVEP has been in place since 1994, and has been used by the VTC, British Council, Centre for Professional & Business English at HKPolyU and other smaller providers. The VTC and HKVEP are working proactively to ensure that Hong Kong employers understand the HKVEP. As an example, the HKVEP has for the last several years had an exhibition booth and hosted a symposium at the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management (HKIHRM) Annual Conference.

  8. How can I get more information about the HKVEP?
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    You may contact us by mail, phone or email:
    Address: HKVEP Unit
    Room 113, 1/F, Pokfulam Skills Centre, 147 Pokfulam Road , Hong Kong
    Tel.: (852) 2538 3107
    Fax: (852) 2538 3256
    Email: hkvep@vtc.edu.hk

    Thank you for your interest in the HKVEP. We look forward to hearing from you.

Questions specific to students
  1. Which HKVEP level should I study?
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    Check the HKVEP benchmark level descriptions and ask your course provider for advice. Be sure that you understand the level and outcomes to be assessed.

  2. I am already studying in an English course benchmarked to the HKVEP. How do I know which Level it is?
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    Please check with your course provider or teacher and be sure that you understand the level and outcomes to be assessed.

  3. Which level of certificate will I receive?
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    You will receive the certificates for the Level at which your English course is benchmarked (eg Preliminary or Levels 1 to 4. Level 4 is the highest level)

  4. What requirements do I need to meet before I can apply for the HKVEP certificates?
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    You need to meet all the normal requirements of your course, which may include, for example, attendance requirements. Check with your course provider or teacher to make sure that you meet course requirements and are eligible to apply for certification

  5. How can I apply for the certificates?
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    Check with your course provider and fill in the registration form.

  6. How long does it take to get the certificates?
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    Check with your course provider. In general, you can expect to receive your certificates shortly after the end of your course.

  7. How do HKVEP levels compare with the levels in other international examinations such as BULATS, IELTS or TOEIC?
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    For a comparison of HKVEP assessment levels with levels of assessment in other international tests of English please go to the Workplace English Campaign (WEC) website chart 'Alignment of HKWEB with Various International Business English Examinations'.

  8. How can I use my HKVEP certificates?
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    You can use your certificates for employment purposes when you apply for a job or for a promotion at work. They provide evidence of your ability to use English for vocational purposes. Include your certificates with your job application or show/give them to your Human Resources representative for inclusion in your personal file. In some cases you can use your certificates to help get acceptance for courses of further study. For example, the LCCI Certificate and HKVEP Report on Student Performance showing an overall grade at HKVEP Level 2 is accepted by some educational institutes as the equivalent of HKCEE results for the purpose of admission to particular academic programmes. Consult the educational institute in question for more information.

  9. How can I claim a course fee refund from the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) if my course is benchmarked to the HKVEP?
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    Participants in courses benchmarked to the HKVEP are eligible for fee reimbursement under the CEF if the course provider has registered such courses with the CEF and has met all related CEF requirements. Ask your course provider about procedures for claiming refunds.
Questions specific to course providers
  1. Does the HKVEP offer or deliver any courses itself?
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    No, it does not. The HKVEP aims to partner with course providers to enhance quality assurance and outcomes of competency-based teaching, learning and assessment.

  2. How can I find out which other providers are benchmarking courses to the HKVEP?
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    Refer to 'Organisations using the HKVEP' or contact the HKVEP Unit for more detailed information. The list of providers is updated on a regular basis.

  3. What is involved in using the HKVEP and what are the costs?
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    Contact the HKVEP Unit for an initial discussion. The process is as follows:
    • Course provider applies for Centre Approval
    • Course provider decides HKVEP Level and learning outcomes of course/s for discussion with HKVEP
    • Course provider decides timing and administration of assessments
    • Course provider develops assessments or commissions HKVEP to assist/do development
    • Course provider manages marking or commissions HKVEP to assist
    • Course provider makes small percentage of completed assessments available to HKVEP for mandatory verification of results, after which HKVEP recommends certification to LCCI
    • LCCI/HKVEP produce student certificates

    The cost of Centre Approval is currently HK$3000. The cost to a student for the LCCI/HKVEP certificates is currently HK$240. Contact the HKVEP for a detailed schedule of other costs


  4. What benefits do our course participants get from our use of the HKVEP?
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    Please refer to the section 'More information for Students' to see relevant benefits

  5. What questions about the HKVEP are participants likely to have?
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    Please refer to the section 'More Information for Students' to see relevant FAQs.

  6. How widely is the HKVEP known to local employers and institutions?
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    The HKVEP has been in place since 1994, and has been used by the VTC, British Council, Centre for Professional & Business English at HKPolyU and other smaller providers. The VTC and HKVEP are working proactively to ensure that Hong Kong employers understand the HKVEP. As an example, the HKVEP has for the last several years had an exhibition booth and hosted a symposium at the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management (HKIHRM) Annual Conference.

  7. Why might client employers be interested in using the HKVEP framework?
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    Employers who are interested in improving their team members' English language skills often express concerns that courses in general or business English courses tend not to meet their specific workplace needs. They also find it difficult to relate the results of international tests of English to the skills required by their employees when handling workplace English needs. The HKVEP framework offers employers the opportunity to set specific learning targets for their employees and to use assessments which directly measure achievement against those targets.

    For example, an employer might need staff members to be able to answer the telephone and direct enquiries to the appropriate person, or to respond to complaints using a particular approach. Using the HKVEP, both the course of instruction and the assessment can be tailored to those exact purposes.

    In summary, the HKVEP benchmarking system offers employers a significantly improved return on their investment in English language training for staff members.

Questions specific to employers
  1. Why might an employer be interested in using the HKVEP framework?
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    Employers who are interested in improving their employees' English language skills often express concerns that courses in general or business English tend not to meet their specific workplace needs. They also find it difficult to relate the results of international tests of English to the skills displayed by their employees when handling workplace English needs. The HKVEP framework offers employers the opportunity to set specific learning targets for their employees and to use assessments which directly measure achievements against those targets.

    For example, an employer might need staff members to be able to answer the telephone and direct enquiries to the appropriate person, or to respond to complaints using a particular approach. Using the HKVEP, both the course of instruction and the assessment can be tailored to those exact purposes.

    In summary, the HKVEP benchmarking system offers employers a significantly improved return on their investment in English language training for staff members.

  2. How can employers proceed if they want to use the HKVEP?
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    They can contact either their course provider, explaining that they would like to use the HKVEP framework as the benchmark for one or more English courses, or they can contact the HKVEP directly. The HKVEP will work in partnership with the course provider.

    The HKVEP can help identify appropriate course providers who understand and can use HKVEP benchmarking, for the benefit of employers and employees. The HKVEP offers employers the assurance of English language training and assessment which is focused on developing the competencies needed in their specific workplace.

  3. What if several employers in the same industry want to upgrade their employees' English language skills?
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    Employer/employee/industry associations are welcome to discuss with the HKVEP their requirements for English language training with outcomes related directly to their industry/business area. The aim would be to agree on a cost-effective training programme offering:
    • local and international recognition to course participants
    • assured development of language competencies needed on the job

  4. How can employers locate suitable course providers?
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    The section Organisations using the HKVEP on this website lists providers who are offering courses benchmarked to the HKVEP. Providers may be contacted directly for more information about their courses. The HKVEP can also assist in identifying providers for specific programmes meeting workplace needs.

  5. What requirements does an employee in a course benchmarked to the HKVEP need to meet in order to be eligible for certification?
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    He or she needs to meet all the normal requirements of the course, which may include, eg, attendance as stipulated by the employer.