ESOL - Skills for life

Who are they for?
The Skills for Life tests are designed for learners aged 16+ whose home language is not English, who are living or trying to settle in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These ESOL learners may include refugees or asylum seekers, migrant workers, people from settled communities, and partners or spouses of people who are settled in this country for a number of years.

It is expected that the learners' educational and employment backgrounds will be diverse, as well as their aspirations, literacy levels and language learning skills. This diversity will be reflected in the range of material selected for use in these tests and in the task types which candidates will need to complete.

Candidates will encounter topics in the tests which are both familiar and relevant to them as learners of English. Topics may include:

  • personal details/experiences
  • work
  • education/training
  • housing
  • family and friends
  • health
  • transport
  • weather
  • buying goods
  • leisure
  • UK society.

In response to these requirements, Cambridge ESOL is offering the full range of Certificates in ESOL Skills for Life. These qualifications provide flexible assessment of ESOL learners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, whilst minimising the workload of teachers and administrators. They reflect the use of English in everyday life and are fully based on the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum.

The Skills for Life Certificates are:

  • available at five levels — Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2
  • wholly externally assessed, by trained and experienced examiners
  • available on demand to suit the learner and the learning provider
  • accredited by the QCA and funded by the Learning and Skills Council
  • available every day of the year, except UK public holidays

Recognising that the individual's language skills can vary quite significantly in their development, the new certificates allow learners to enter for different modes at different levels, to accommodate 'spiky profiles'.

At each level, learners who achieve a Pass will be awarded certificates at mode level from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
More information on the levels, modes, timings and price of the examinations.

Why choose Cambridge ESOL?

Reliability
The Cambridge ESOL certificates provide a completely external assessment, with all questions and tasks set and marked by Cambridge ESOL, and with all exams conducted under specified and supervised conditions. Cambridge ESOL has a strong reputation for its research and validation work. Ongoing validation work ensures fairness to candidates and standardisation of results over time.

Convenience
The certificates are available on demand, enabling colleges and other learning providers to offer them at a time that suits both them and their students.

Resources available