ESOL Skills for Work
Course Description:
Relevance and reliability, flexibility and quick results … the key requirements for providing ESOL training in the workplace, and the key features of the new Certificates in ESOL for Work from Cambridge ESOL.
Information for Learneres:
Cambridge ESOL is the leading provider of English language qualifications in the UK, and has developed the new assessments to meet the needs of employers, and to support migrant and settled workers who are in work or intending to work in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Information for Centers:
Cambridge ESOL’s Certificates in ESOL for Work are relevant and reliable, because they are based on a well-established, work-related ESOL assessment which has already had thousands of successful candidates and hundreds of satisfied providers around the world.
The provision is flexible and offers quick results, using a combination of computer adaptive technology and the freedom for centres to manage the examinations process for themselves.
The Cambridge ESOL approach to ESOL for Work recognises the “spiky profile” which may exist across the receptive and productive language skills, measuring candidates’ language proficiency in terms of the English they need to use and understand in the workplace. Topics and tasks are work-focussed and are relevant and recognisable to candidates as relating to the ways in which they need to use or respond to language in their working lives in the UK.
The administration and scheduling of the examinations is entirely in the hands of centres, giving them the maximum flexibility to run the assessments when the learners are ready and available, and when it is most convenient for centres, learners and their sponsors.
The three modes are as follows:
Reading and Listening:
ESOL for Work Reading and Listening is a Computer Adaptive Test, which means that the test adapts to the level of the candidate. The test is supported by a large bank of secure tasks and quickly provides an accurate assessment of candidate ability. The precise length of the test will vary from candidate to candidate depending upon level of ability. The typical length of the test is 50-60 minutes.
Reading and Listening is assessed on computer, and the marking and grading take place automatically, meaning immediate results.
Speaking:
ESOL for Work Speaking is a one-to-one, face-to-face test lasting approximately 12 minutes. It comprises an interview, where the candidate listens and responds; a short presentation, where the candidate speaks to communicate; and a task involving information exchange and engagement in discussion. The interview is recorded, and a second examiner then also awards marks on the candidate’s performance. Marks and recordings are sent to Cambridge for monitoring of marking standards by senior examiners.
Examiners, who are nominated by the centre, must meet Cambridge ESOL’s minimum professional requirements. Before examining, they must undergo self-access examiner training and standardisation and be approved by Cambridge ESOL.
Writing:
ESOL for Work Writing is taken on paper, and is comprised of two tasks: the first, a short message or email; and the second, a longer letter or report. Candidates are given a choice of two tasks for the longer response. The Writing test takes 45 minutes.
Centres receive multiple versions of the test and manage their administration. Each completed script is marked by two examiners who have been nominated by the centre. The examiners must meet Cambridge ESOL’s minimum professional requirements and they must undergo self-access examiner training and standardisation and be approved by Cambridge ESOL. Candidate Writing scripts are sent back to Cambridge ESOL for quality assurance purposes, including the monitoring of marking standards by senior examiners.
All Speaking and Writing examiners have to successfully complete a standardisation exercise to show that they can mark to acceptable standards in order to be eligible to examine.
Levels:
The ESOL for Work tests developed by Cambridge ESOL measure across all levels from Entry Level 1 to Level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). They also measure across all levels of the Council of Europe Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from A1 (Elementary) to C2 (Mastery).
At each level, the Certificates in ESOL for Work require up to 150 guided learning hours.
Download Entry 3 and Level 1 test specifications
Results:
Candidates can take each ESOL for Work mode (Reading and Listening, Speaking, and Writing) separately. For each mode completed, they receive a Statement of Results with their scores, reported National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels Entry 1 to Level 3, and Council of Europe Framework (CEF) Levels A1 to C2. As ESOL for Work is currently accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) at NQF levels Entry 3 and Level 1, certificates will be awarded at these levels only. Certificates are issued by Cambridge ESOL when candidates have successfully completed all three modes. Further levels may be accredited in due course.
ESOL for Work recognises that learners may have Speaking, Listening and Reading skills more advanced than their Writing skills. The overall Entry 3 or Level 1 certificates can therefore be awarded to candidates whose Writing skills have been assessed at one level below their achievements in the other units.
Exam Fees:
At both of the levels currently accredited – Entry 3 and Level 1 – the fee for each of the three modes (Reading and Listening, Speaking, and Writing) is £6.50.
Thus, the fee for a full Cambridge ESOL Certificate in ESOL for Work is £19.50
Entry Requirement: No formal qualification is required.
Assessment:
Course Work: Each level here has its own course book which follows the Cambridge syllabus. A technique that has had proven results which enables students to pass all the exam set by Cambridge. Each Course book includes the above mentioned elements, helping you to strengthen your weaknesses, no matter what they are.
Intake: January, April, July and October
Study mode: Full Time
Duration and hours: 4 weeks to 1 year, 15 to 21 hours.
Progression: You can join any higher education course of certification or Diploma depending on your previous qualification and experience.
