A career with the EU?
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Get you English up to speed to pass the tests and land that job!
Learn more about the structure of the EPSO competitions!
Need help sprucing up your CV and cover letter? Click here to see how we can help.
A career with the EU is an amazing opportunity to work in a stimulating and interesting, not to mention, multilingual environment and to have the opportunity to make a difference in your field. Before you can apply for a job, however, you will need to pass a series of tests that focus on different skills and competences. You may take some of the tests in your first language, which makes them a bit easier, but you will take most of the tests in a chosen second (or third) language.
Taking a test in English is twice the challenge as taking it in your first language, so you will probably need to prepare for it depending on your proficiency level. We can help you do just that.
Here is what you will find on our site to help you get ready for the EPSO competition:
Reading comprehension tasks that will make it easier for you to ace verbal and numerical reasoning tests.
Communication tasks that will help you practice for the situational judgement test.
Video lessons that will train your note-taking and comprehension skills needed for nailing the Assessment Centre tests.
We also offer skype sessions to help you prepare for the oral interview.
Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly updates and free lessons here.
Book skype sessions with us here.
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Read MoreQUIZ on EU Multilingualism
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DO YOU KNOW who decides on multilingualism at EU level? What is the difference between multilingualism and plurilingualism? Or how many languages are spoken by the most multilingual person in the Commission? Check it out NOW, along with our detailed, learner-friendly explanations.
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Question 1 of 9
1. Question
In EU terminology the term multilingualism refers to ……………….
Correct
That’s right! Source: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/translation/translating/multilingualism/index_en.htm
Please also NOTE that the EU’s approach is different from that of the Council of Europe (another European organization founded in 1949). In the terminology of the Council of Europe two terms are used to describe these concepts. Multilingualism refers to linguistic diversity in a geographical region while plurilingualism refers to the linguistic repertoire and communicative competence of an individual.Incorrect
See more at http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/translation/translating/multilingualism/index_en.htm
Please NOTE that the EU’s approach is different from that of the Council of Europe (another European organization founded in 1949). In the terminology of the Council of Europe two terms are used to describe these concepts. Multilingualism refers to linguistic diversity in a geographical region while plurilingualism refers to the linguistic repertoire and communicative competence of an individual. -
Question 2 of 9
2. Question
The total cost of translation and interpretation in all the EU institutions (including the European Commission, European Parliament, Council, Court of Justice of the European Union, European Court of Auditors, European Economic and Social Committee, Committee of Regions) is around €1 billion per year. This represents less than …………………………… of the EU budget or just over €2 per citizen.
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Question 3 of 9
3. Question
The EU has ……………………. official languages (as in 2015).
Correct
That’s correct! The EU has 28 Member States and 24 official languages (as in 2015)
Incorrect
The EU has 28 Member States and 24 official languages (as in 2015)
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Question 4 of 9
4. Question
There are ……………………….. official languages than Member States.
Correct
That’s right! Some languages are widely spoken and recognized as official languages in more than one country (French, German, Swedish – just to mention a few examples).
Incorrect
Some languages are widely spoken and recognized as official languages in more than one country (French, German, Swedish – just to mention a few examples).
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Question 5 of 9
5. Question
The European Commission conducts its internal business in English, French and German, commonly referred to as ‘…………………………………….’ languages.
Correct
That’s right! Please NOTE that Council Regulation 1/1958 on the status of languages at EU level does not differentiate between official and working languages. All of the languages listed in Regulation 1/1958 are referred to as ‘official languages and working languages’. However, the Regulation also provides for the opportunity to determine which languages EU institutions may use in their internal work processes. These languages are called ‘procedural languages’, or simply ‘working languages’.
Incorrect
Please NOTE that Council Regulation 1/1958 on the status of languages at EU level does not differentiate between official and working languages. All of the languages listed in Regulation 1/1958 are referred to as ‘official languages and working languages’. However, the Regulation also provides for the opportunity to determine which languages EU institutions may use in their internal work processes. These languages are called ‘procedural languages’, or simply ‘working languages’.
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Question 6 of 9
6. Question
The EU encourages every European citizen to know at least ………………………… foreign languages in addition to their mother tongue.
Correct
That’s right! The “mother tongue+2 model” goes back to the Barcelona European Council in March 2002, where the Heads of State or Government called for at least two foreign languages to be taught from
a very early age.Incorrect
The “mother tongue+2 model” goes back to the Barcelona European Council in March 2002, where the Heads of State or Government called for at least two foreign languages to be taught from
a very early age. -
Question 7 of 9
7. Question
There are round ……………… minority and regional languages spoken in the European Union.
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Question 8 of 9
8. Question
Who decides on the official status of languages at EU level?
Correct
That’s right! The Council of the EU decides on the status and use of languages at EU level unanimously. In other words, every Member State has a veto right in this issue.
Incorrect
The Council of the EU decides on the status and use of languages at EU level unanimously. In other words, every Member State has a veto right in this issue.
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Question 9 of 9
9. Question
Ioannis Ikonomou, a translator and the most multilingual person in the European Commission, speaks ……………………………… languages.
