ESOL Skills for Life
Reading test
All Reading tasks are designed to reflect the everyday experience of the ESOL learner. They draw on authentic or semi-authentic texts and task types, and provide an opportunity for candidates to respond to language in a similar way to that which is asked of them in the daily course of their lives. Candidates can use dictionaries at Entry levels but dictionary use will only actually be tested at Entry 2 and Entry 3.
In common with other awarding bodies providing Skills for Life examinations, Cambridge ESOL makes use of the National Literacy Test at Level 1 and Level 2 to provide the Reading examination at those levels.
Practice versions of the National Literacy Test.
For ESOL Skills for Life practice materials, the National Test Toolkit provides a valuable resource. The Toolkit has been completely revised and updated within the current 'Move On' project. Find details of the Toolkit and download individual sections.
It can be ordered from the website, or from DfES Publications at the following address:
DfES Publications
PO Box 5050
Sherwood Park
Annesley
Nottingham
NG15 0DJ
Tel: 0845 60 222 60
Fax: 0845 60 333 60
Email : dfes@prolog.uk.com
The Toolkit is called 'Move On with a National Qualification' and is three large files of information, guidance, plans and materials.
- The complete set of three files is ref. NTT/NTT04
- File 1 National Test Toolkit Update is ref. NTT/TL04
- File 2 Teaching and Learning is ref. NTT/PT04
- File 3 Practice Tests (on paper and CD-ROM) is ref. NTT/PT04
- Practice Tests CD-ROM can be ordered separately ref. NTT/PT04/CD
Focus
At each level, the assessment will reflect the word, sentence and text focus of the ESOL Core Curriculum. Candidates will be required to show that they can:
Entry 1
- Read and understand short texts with repeated language patterns on familiar topics
- Read and obtain information from common signs and symbols.
Entry 2
- Read and understand short, straightforward texts on familiar topics
- Read and obtain information from short documents, familiar sources and signs and symbols.
Entry 3
- Read and understand short, straightforward texts on familiar topics accurately and independently
- Read and obtain information from everyday sources.
Format
Candidates will need to engage with at least three input texts and perform a variety of task types. Tasks in the Reading mode may be linked thematically, forming a scenario both familiar and relevant to the target candidature, and giving authentic reasons for reading in each case.
Task types
There is no fixed format of task and item types. All tasks aim to reflect the purpose for which a text is used in the real world. The starting point for the design of tasks is considering how the text would be used by a 'real' user and then, where appropriate, ensuring that tasks involve the candidates in the same text-processing operations.
More information on task types.
Text types
The texts are based on authentic or semi-authentic material, although the language is graded so that it is appropriate to the level. They are designed to be accessible in terms of genre and topic to all adult learners at the level.
More information on text types.
Marking
No input is required from teachers/colleges. Reading papers will be marked by a combination of clerical marking and Optical Mark Reader, under the supervision of a team of trained, professional examiners.
Reading mode sample papers
Download the Skills for Life Reading sample papers and mark schemes.
