ESOL Skills for Life
Skills for Life is the government's strategy for improving adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL skills in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. From September 2004, all qualifications for adult learners of English in the state sector which relate to the strategy must be based on the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum — a development of the National Standards for Adult Literacy — and accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).
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.
Who are they for?
The Skills for Life tests are designed for adult (16+) speakers 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.
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.
Freedom to teach
The Cambridge ESOL certificates do not require continuous assessment so classroom tutors can focus on the development of the skills, knowledge and understanding of their learners.
Value for money
The certificates are competitively priced, offering high quality assessment at a reasonable cost. They can be eligible for Learning and Skills Council funding and can qualify for the Basic Skills uplift.
Supporting you
As with all Cambridge ESOL qualifications, there is a comprehensive support package, including online teaching resources, sample papers, seminars for teachers and, in due course, examination reports.
Cambridge ESOL is also working with publishers as they develop suitable learning and teaching materials.
Resources available
- Skills for Life sample papers and past papers for learners — sample papers, past papers, listening files and exam reports for all levels
- Exam FAQs
- Skills for Life Teaching Resource and Skills for Life teacher downloads (including sample papers, past papers, mark schemes, exam handbook and exam reports)
- Becoming a Skills for Life centre
- QCA/LSC reference number details for Skills for Life exams
Change to test materials
Please note that in the Skills for Life Entry 1 - 3 Speaking and Listening pack for 2008, at Entry 3 the Phase 2a task has been modified. Instead of one gist question and THREE detail questions, each candidate now answers one gist question and TWO detail questions. The Assessment Scales for Entry 3 have also been modified to reflect this change.
