ESOL Qualifications

Introduction

The Scottish Government is keen that, “wherever possible, ESOL learners should be encouraged to work towards the most appropriate and high-quality accredited ESOL qualifications.” (Adult ESOL Strategy, 2007, p15)

If you are studying ESOL, an ESOL qualification is a good measure of your progress. It also provides evidence of your current ESOL level and can be used when you go to a new college or university, or when applying for work. People applying to the Home Office for citizenship or settlement, can also use their ESOL qualifications in place of doing a citizenship test.

Types of ESOL Qualification

There are two main types of ESOL qualification available in Glasgow:

1. Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) qualifications, which can be used across Britain.

2. Cambridge ESOL qualifications, which can be used around the world.

The table below shows the different ESOL qualifications available at different levels.

ESOL Qualifications According to SCQF Levels

SCOTTISH LEVELS AND QUALIFICATIONS		INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

SCQF	Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) ESOL Qualifications	Cambridge ESOL General ESOL Qualifications	Cambridge ESOL Academic ESOL IELTS Bands
2	Access 2 Literacies
2	Access 2
3	Access 3	KET (Key English Test)
4	Intermediate 1	PET (Preliminary English Test)
5	Intermediate 2	FCE (First certificate in English)	IELTS 5.0 & 5.5
6	Higher	CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)	IELTS 6.0 & 6.5
7		CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)	IELTS 7.0 - 8.5

	Notes: § Includes internal assessments. § Intermediate 2 and Higher courses have an external exam in May.	Notes: § Assessed externally. § Assessments take place at end of course in December or May/June.	Notes: § Assessed externally. § Assessments take place every month at Glasgow University.
	More information at: www.sqa.org.uk/esol	More information at www.cambridgeesol.org/exams

Thinking about which qualification is right for you

When choosing which qualification to do, think about why you need a qualification:

s Is it for further non-ESOL study such as going to college or university? If it is, you probably need an SCQF level 6 qualification such as Higher ESOL or IELTS. Having an ESOL qualification at this level means you will have the English language skills to manage on a non-ESOL course of study. Both the Higher and IELTS qualifications include academic English, which will help you to cope with the specific language required for academic work. Remember though, that you should always ask the university what the ESOL requirements are for your course.

s Are you looking for work? If you are, SQA qualifications include an English for Work unit, which will help develop the English you need for work. An SQA qualification will also be well known to Scottish employers.

s Is it for ESOL and citizenship purposes? If it is, only an SQA qualification at either Access 2 Literacies, Access 2, Access 3 or Intermediate 1 will be acceptable to the Home Office.

s Are you thinking about going back to your birth country after your ESOL course? If you are, an international qualification from Cambridge ESOL might be better as it could be recognised in your own country.

'I chose to do an SQA certificate because it helps you to do different kinds of courses. I want to do computing and business.' Qasim Mohammad