ESOL for Work (UK only)
'I'm really convinced that the ESOL for Work qualification is spot on for many of our learners and, as I have said before, you really seem to have produced a series of assessments which are motivating, easy to administer and enjoyable for learners ...'
Gillian Rodrigues, Head of Department, ESOL and Teacher Training at Westminster Kingsway
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. Visit the ESOL for Work website.
Information for Learners
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 Centres
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.
Try out some computer-based Reading and Listening sample questions
(Flash Player required)
Download Reading and Listening sample test material.
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.
Download ESOL for Work Speaking Sample Test Material
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.
Download ESOL for Work Writing Sample Test Material
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.
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.
Events
Please keep checking our website for details of future seminars in 2010.
If you have any queries please email ESOLSkillsforLife@CambridgeESOL.org
ESOL for Work launch presentation
Between October 2007 and January 2008, Cambridge ESOL ran a series of launch events for the new qualifications at venues across England and Wales. The presentation delivered at the events gives a full overview of the content and administration of the examinations. Download the ESOL for Work launch presentation.
Why choose Cambridge ESOL?
To learners, tutors, providers and employers, Cambridge ESOL offers more: more help for centres, more support for teachers and administrators, and more benefits for learners and employers.
The ESOL for Work provision gives centres complete flexibility in the scheduling of tests and immediate or very fast results.
Cambridge ESOL is the leading provider of English language qualifications in the UK, and its expertise in developing work-related assessments is reflected in their recognition by such employers as Unilever, Buckingham Foods Ltd, Sheraton Hotels, Netto Foodstores Ltd, and many, many more. Also in the rest of the world, Cambridge ESOL qualifications are recognised by thousands of international companies and organisations.
