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AOs are in current talks with Ofqual and the DfE to look at exam arrangements for 2021. Watch this space.

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ESOL Requirements

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Rules and regulations for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) qualifications.

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Skip to main content We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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Link to recordings on website

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TiUK-Track 1 Level 1 Section A Task1.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 2 Level 1 Section A Task2.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 3 Level 1 Section A Task3.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 4 Level 1…

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Recordings on Website

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Level 2 (Traveling in the UK)

TiUK-Track 1 Level 2 Section A Task1A and 1B.mp3
Your browser does not support the audio element.
TiUK-Track 2 Level 2 Section A Task1C.mp3
Your browser does not support the audio element.
TiUK-Track 3 Level 2 Section A Task2A.mp3
Your browser does not support the audio element.
TiUK-Track 4 Level 2 Section A Task2B.mp3
Your browser does not support the audio element.
TiUK-Track 5 Level 2 Section B Task1A.mp3
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TiUK-Track 6 Level 2 Section B Task1B.mp3
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TiUK-Track 7 Level 2 Section B Task2A.mp3
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TiUK-Track 8 Level 2 Section B Task2B.mp3
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Download all audio

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Level 2 (Traveling in the UK) TiUK-Track 1 Level 2 Section A Task1A and 1B.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 2 Level 2 Section A Task1C.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 3 Level 2 Section A Task2A.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element.

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Link to website recordings

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Entry 3 (Traveling in the UK)

TiUK-Track 1 E3 Section A Task1.mp3
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TiUK-Track 2 E3 Section A Task2A.mp3
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TiUK-Track 3 E3 Section A Task2B.mp3
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TiUK-Track 4 E3 Section B Task1.mp3
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TiUK-Track 5 E3 Section B Task2.mp3
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Download all audio TiUK-Track 6 E3 Section B Task3.mp3
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Download all audio

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Entry 3 (Traveling in the UK) TiUK-Track 1 E3 Section A Task1.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 2 E3 Section A Task2A.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 3 E3 Section A Task2B.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element.

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Link to website recordings

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Entry 2 (Traveling in the UK)

TiUK-Track 1 E2 Section A Task1A.mp3
Your browser does not support the audio element.
TiUK-Track 2 E2 Section A Task1B.mp3
Your browser does not support the audio element.
TiUK-Track 3 E2 SECTION A Task1C.mp3
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TiUK-Track 4 E2 Section A Task2A and 2B.mp3
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TiUK-Track 5 E2 Section A Task2C and 2D.mp3
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TiUK-Track 6 E2 Section B Task1A.mp3
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TiUK-Track 7 E2 Section B Task1B.mp3
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TiUK-Track 8 E2 Section B Task2A.mp3
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TiUK-Track 9 E2 Section B Task2B.mp3
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Download all audio

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Entry 2 (Traveling in the UK) TiUK-Track 1 E2 Section A Task1A.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 2 E2 Section A Task1B.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 3 E2 SECTION A Task1C.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element.

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Link to website recordings

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Entry 1 (Traveling in the UK)

TiUK-Track 1 E1 Section A Task1.mp3
Your browser does not support the audio element.
TiUK-Track 2 E1 Section A Task2.mp3
Your browser does not support the audio element.
TiUK-Track 3 E1 Section B Task1.mp3
Your browser does not support the audio element.
TiUK-Track 4 E1 Section B Task2.mp3
Your browser does not support the audio element.
Download all audio

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Entry 1 (Traveling in the UK) TiUK-Track 1 E1 Section A Task1.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 2 E1 Section A Task2.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element. TiUK-Track 3 E1 Section B Task1.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element.

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Creativity

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Health and Safety

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Me and My Community

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Creativity

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Health & Safety

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Me and My Community

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Creativity

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Health and Safety

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Me and My Community

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Creatvity

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Health & Safety

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Me and My Community

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Creativity

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Me and My Community

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Health & Safety

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(no sample papers available)

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NOCN ESOL Skills for Life is a package of English language resources for UK colleges and learning providers.

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Our ESOL Skills for Life qualifications, available at Entry Levels 1,2,3 and Levels 1 and 2, have been developed using the knowledge and expertise gained from over 20 years working with centres to accredit their ESOL provision.

According to a report published in June 2019 by the Department of Education, 'improving employment prospects, enabling civic engagement and integration, and developing life skills to enable engagement in everyday life activities' are the key motivations found amongst learners for learning English.

OCN London's ESOL qualifications aim to facilitate language development to help people to:

gain or progress within meaningful and sustainable employment

develop skills that support engagement in daily life activities

develop further independence

build confidence in socialising with others in different contexts

access services and benefits

We place authenticity firmly at the heart of our on-demand ESOL assessments, ensuring that we use real language in realistic contexts so that each task offers up a meaningful experience that learners of all ages may connect with and encounter in real life.

Adding value to your offer

We can help you take your ESOL provision one step further by helping you equip your ESOL learners with essential digital, vocational and life skills using OCN London qualifications. A wide range of options are available at different levels. The image below highlights a few qualifications that can be easily embedded into your ESOL curriculum. For a more extensive list, please view our Integrated ESOL Pathways.

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Our ESOL Skills for Life qualifications, available at Entry Levels 1,2,3 and Levels 1 and 2, have been developed using the knowledge and expertise gained from over 20 years working with centres to accredit their ESOL provision.

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(no sample papers available)

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Our Edexcel ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) qualifications support learners whose first language is not English, helping them gain the communication skills needed to progress in the workplace, education and beyond. They are available from Entry 1 to Level 2.

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Our Edexcel ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) qualifications support learners whose first language is not English, helping them gain the communication skills needed to progress in the workplace, education and beyond. They are available from Entry 1 to Level 2.

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(no sample papers available)

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Join the UK's Number One ESOL Awarding Organisation

Brand new: Ascentis Entry Level Award and Certificate in Progression Programme for ESOL Learners. Read more here.

Ascentis offers the full suite of ESOL Skills for Life Qualifications from Entry 1 to Level 2. We are the number one awarding organisation for ESOL in the London region, across the UK and in Wales, dedicated to supporting thousands of learners by improving their communication and fluency in English, their employability skills and their ability to fully participate in every part of life in Britain.

Who are these qualifications for?

Ascentis ESOL Skills for Life qualifications are designed specifically for people living in Britain and focus on preparing learners for everyday life, further education and the world of work. The primary aim is to assist the learner in becoming independent of other people such as interpreters or translators when interacting with English speakers in a work environment and elsewhere. By improving their communication and fluency in English, learners will significantly improve their employability skills and their ability to fully participate in every part of life in Britain beyond their local community. We have also launched Tailored leaning programmes that will help learners progress into further education and employment, please click here to find out more.

Why should I choose Ascentis?

New ESOL reading online assessments available at Entry 2, Entry 3 and Level 1

No minimum registrations

Minimal paperwork for tutors

Additional resources, example speaking videos and practice papers available

Bespoke onsite staff training

No wait for resits

Learners are registered at any point prior to assessment

Controlled assessments can be taken in the classroom

Assessments can be broken up and tasks taken when the learner is ready

Direct support all year with your designated subject specialist External Quality Assurer

No assessment windows - you set the date

Assessments guide times

Regular regional and online support sessions

Quick certification

New ESOL Volunteering to Support English Language

Our recently developed ESOL Volunteering to Support English Language qualification is available at Levels 1 & 2 and has been developed to support the volunteers who want to teach ESOL. This could be learners who have been through the system and want to support their community, volunteers who want to help ESOL learners and those who may like to teach ESOL as a profession in the future.

Employment, Digital and Community Engagement Skills for English Language Learners

This Entry 3 qualification enables learners to gain the practical and personal skills for work and further study, whilst improving their knowledge and use of the English language. The qualification offers a flexible and broad range of topics which can be tailored to learners' needs to help them gain new skills and knowledge. Find out more here.

Where can my learners go from here?

How do I get started?

For more information on our ESOL qualifications or if you would like to become an ESOL partner, please contact the Commercial Team on 01524 845046 or email hello@ascentis.co.uk. You can also book an online meeting at a time to suit you here.

View our ESOL Skills for Life Policy Statement here.

If you wish to apply now, please download the Centre Recognition Form and/or Qualification Approval Form which are available on our Join Us page.

View or download specification overviews below. If you are already an Ascentis customer and would like to view full specifications, tracking sheets and sample papers please login here.

Funding
A webinar on 'Making the most of devolved budgets and local flexibilities: opportunities for ESOL providers' is available by registering your details on theresources section of the website.
Use the links below to take you directly to the Learning Aim Reference Service where you can find funding information for each qualification. Ensure the 'Teaching Year' drop down box is set to the relevant year.

Ascentis Level 1 Award in Volunteering to Support English Language Teaching and Learning

Ascentis Level 2 Award in Volunteering to Support English Language Teaching and Learning

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English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

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Join the UK's Number One ESOL Awarding Organisation Brand new: Ascentis Entry Level Award and Certificate in Progression Programme for ESOL Learners. Read more here. Ascentis offers the full suite of ESOL Skills for Life Qualifications from Entry 1 to Level 2.

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4692 Qualification Page

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ESOL Skills for Life qualifications are based on the National Standards for Adult Literacy, and anyone involved in teaching or assessing must be familiar with the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum.

Learners should undergo a proper process of initial and diagnostic assessment, to ensure that they are working towards an appropriate ESOL qualification at the correct level.

All assessment at Entry level is internally assessed by the centre. City & Guilds provides a bank of assignments that can be taken as soon as candidates are ready. The same assessment model also operates for Writing and Speaking & Listening at levels 1 and 2.

Reading at levels 1 and 2 is assessed by an externally-marked test, available either onscreen or on paper, and able to be booked as soon as candidates are ready.

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City & Guilds ESOL Skills for Life qualifications. Leading vocational education and training organisation.

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English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

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English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. offers high-quality Speech and Language qualifications in the UK and Internationally.

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English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

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ESOL Skills for Life (Entry 3) - English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

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Reading Sample Paper Mark Scheme Sample Paper D Mark Scheme D Sample Paper E Mark Scheme E Sample Paper F Mark Scheme F Sample Paper L Mark Scheme L Sample Paper M Mark Scheme M Sample Paper N Mark Scheme N Sample Paper O Mark Scheme O Writing Sample Paper Mark Scheme Sample Paper D...

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English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

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ESOL Skills for Life (Entry 2) - English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

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Reading Sample Paper Mark Scheme Sample Paper D Mark Scheme D Sample Paper E Mark Scheme E Sample Paper F Mark Scheme F Sample Paper L Mark Scheme L Sample Paper M Mark Scheme M Sample Paper N Mark Scheme N Sample Paper O Mark Scheme O Writing Sample Paper Mark Scheme Sample Paper D...

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English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

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ESOL Skills for Life (Entry 1) - English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

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Reading Sample Paper Mark Scheme Sample Paper D Mark Scheme D Sample Paper E Mark Scheme E Sample Paper F Mark Scheme F Sample Paper L Mark Scheme L Sample Paper M Mark Scheme M Sample Paper N Mark Scheme N Sample Paper O Mark Scheme O Writing Sample Paper Mark Scheme Sample Paper D...

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English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

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ESOL Skills for Life (Level 2) - English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

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Reading Sample Paper Mark Scheme Sample Paper E Mark Scheme E Sample Paper F Mark Scheme F Sample Paper L Mark Scheme L Sample Paper M Mark Scheme M Sample Paper N Mark Scheme N Sample Paper O Mark Scheme O Writing Sample Paper Mark Scheme Sample Paper D Mark Scheme Sample Paper E Sample...

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ESOL Skills for Life qualifications are made up of 3 units that carry credits and lead to standalone award-level qualifications as illustrated below. When a learner attains all three units at one level, they gain an 'all modes' ESOL Skills for Life qualification at certificate level.

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ESOL Skills for Life: Level 1 | Trinity College London

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ESOL Skills for Life qualifications are made up of 3 units that carry credits and lead to standalone award-level qualifications as illustrated below. When a learner attains all three units at one level, they gain an ‘all modes’ ESOL Skills for Life qualification at certificate level.

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ESOL Skills for Life qualifications are made up of 3 units which carry credits and lead to standalone award-level qualifications as illustrated below. When a learner attains all three units at one level, they gain an 'all modes' ESOL Skills for Life qualification at certificate level.

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Exam format and timings

Reading
Controlled exam - 24 questions within 3 tasks - 60 minutes

Writing
Controlled exam - 3 tasks - 50 minutes

Speaking and listening
Conversation with an examiner - 3 tasks - 8 minutes
Group discussion with an examiner - 1 task - up to 5 minutes

Guidance
Exam specifications

For adapted specifications and procedures under VCRF arrangements visit: trinitycollege.com/sfl-online

This document contains assessment objectives, candidate profile, exam format and procedure, assessment criteria, generic performance descriptors - plus general guidelines and policy information.
Related links
Overview - including links to exam fees and dates

Exam administration - including guidance about booking

Entry level 2 resources and materials for teaching and learning

Activities for integration

Each lesson includes clear objectives, comprehensive teaching notes, handouts and exam tips where relevant.

Speaking and listening resources

Download some Tips for preparing learners for the Speaking and Listening exam
Sample prompts
Entry level 2 - Practice papers - Reading

Practice activities suitable for this level:
Generic answer sheet
Entry level 2 - Practice papers and tasks - Writing

Practice activities suitable for this level.

Files marked editable can be completed on a computer. Students can type their answers directly onto the PDF.
Practice papers Example marked papers
Entry level 2 ESOL Skills for Life Videos

Watch the sample videos and read the rationales to see how these candidates were marked:

These videos are suitable for teachers and students and show the format of the test. They are not intended to show model exam performance.
ESOL Skills for Life - Entry level 2 - Conversation sample videos
ESOL Skills for Life - Entry level 2 - Group discussion sample videos

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Reading Controlled exam - 24 questions within 3 tasks - 60 minutes Writing Controlled exam - 3 tasks - 50 minutes Speaking and listening Conversation with an examiner - 3 tasks - 8 minutesGroup discussion with an examiner - 1 task - up to 5 minutes Exam specifications For adapted specifications and procedures under VCRF arrangements visit: trinitycollege.com/sfl-online This document contains assessment objectives, candidate profile, exam format and procedure, assessment criteria, generic performance descriptors - plus general guidelines and policy information.