If you attend an English class in the UK, it is possible that you can get a Cambridge ESOL Skills for Life certificate. This part of the website gives you more information about the certificates, and about Cambridge ESOL.

The Certificates in ESOL Skills for Life test the English of adults who live, work or study in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. They are part of the UK government's plans to improve levels of English in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

You do not have to pay to take a Skills for Life examination.

Is Skills for Life for you?

If English is not your first language and you live, or would like to live, in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you can take an examination in ESOL Skills for Life. You can take a Skills for Life exam if:

• you have lived in England, Wales or Northern Ireland for many years, and now want to take an examination in English for work or study
• you are a refugee or asylum seeker
• you want to become a British Citizen (naturalisation)
• you have come to England, Wales or Northern Ireland to work
• you have come to England, Wales or Northern Ireland to be with your family and want to improve your English.

If this describes you, then ESOL Skills for Life is the right exam for you.

What is involved in taking a Skills for Life exam?

Skills for Life is available at five levels on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF):

• Entry 1
• Entry 2
• Entry 3
• Level 1
• Level 2.

See where the Skills for Life levels fit into the NQF.

At each level, there are three different tests:

• Reading (more information)
• Writing (more information)
• Speaking and Listening (more information).

You decide if you want to take one or more of these tests. For example, you can take a test just in Reading, or in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Each test focuses on the English of everyday life in the UK.

Supporting you

As with all of Cambridge ESOL's certificates, there is a wide range of support to help you prepare for your exam.

You can access a variety of support materials from the Resources area of our website. These include sample exam papers, which include sound files for the Listening test materials.

Many publishers have produced a wide choice of books and other aids to help you prepare for taking a Skills for Life exam. Ask your local bookshop for details.

To help you prepare for a Skills for Life exam, we provide your teachers with their own website so they can download sample exam papers, handbooks, and other teaching support material.

What is Cambridge ESOL?

University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) has the world's leading range of qualifications for learners of English. Every year over 2 million people in the world take Cambridge ESOL examinations. Cambridge ESOL is part of the Cambridge Assessment, which is part of the world-famous University of Cambridge .

Next steps

If you are studying on an English language course, talk to your teacher about the Cambridge ESOL Skills for Life exams.

You can take the tests at centres all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find your nearest centre.

• Exams

• Skills for Life

  • Information for learners
  • Information for centres
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking and Listening
  • Levels and fees
  • Events and seminars
  • Pass rates
  • Information on Candidature
  • Useful links

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