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.

City and Guilds offer a Certificate in ESOL for Work – Basic Skills (No.3694).

Their ESOL for Work qualification is designed to meet the immediate English language needs of people in or seeking work in the UK, most notably migrant workers. It focuses on language for the workplace, drawing on relevant aspects of the Adult ESOL core curriculum. The qualification allows candidates to gain language confidence and enhance their employability.

They have kept this qualification straightforward: Reading and Writing are combined into a single unit as well as Speaking and Listening. There is more emphasis on the receptive modes whilst Writing is assessed at the level below that of the qualification.

Assessment is managed by the centre and can take place whenever candidates are ready. One assignment is used to assess the whole qualification and there is a choice of work related topics. ESOL for Work is available at Entry 3 and Level 1. Delivery can be tailored to any work context or work setting, eg it could form part of an employee induction programme.

The NOCN Certificates in ESOL for Work at Entry 3 and Level 1 are designed to meet the immediate English language acquisition needs of learners who are in employment or who are planning to work in this country, but who do not intend to become citizens of the UK. These candidates will have some literacy, including the ability to read and write, in their own language(s). The intention of this category of qualifications is to offer opportunities for the rapid acquisition of English for work, through flexible (short course) programmes of delivery that can target the immediate, broad, work-related needs of candidates. These qualifications are eligible for public funding through the LSC.

Each of the qualifications has a unit-based approach. This allows learners to achieve in small steps and gain separate certification for the three modes of Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing at levels appropriate to their learning needs. This builds confidence for the achievement of whole qualifications over time.

• NOCN Entry Level Certificate in ESOL for Work (Entry 3) - (500/2250/7)
• NOCN Level 1 Certificate in ESOL for Work - (500/2251/9)

Open College Network's London Region (OCNLR) is a part of NOCN. For further information at OCNLR, please contact Jacquie Mutter or Joanne Woolfenden.

Trinity ESOL for Work qualifications are available at two levels of competence: Entry 3 and Level 1. Each comprises of two units. Unit 1 is Speaking and Listening while Unit 2 combines the skills of Reading and Writing. The Writing component of Unit 2 is assessed at a level below Speaking and Listening and Reading in the qualification. Both units must be passed to gain the qualification.

The assessment tasks within these qualifications are designed to meet the needs of a diverse group of UK-based ESOL learners. The focus of these examinations is on expanding the breadth and depth of skill in communicating through English in the workplace environment. The nature of the examinations is such that the emphasis is on intelligibility, confidence and the genuine ability to communicate rather than on text book learning.

ESOL (Skills for Life) qualifications are designed to support learners for whom English is not their first language. They are only available for adult learners over the age of 16. The qualifications are offered at three levels Entry, Level 1 and Level 2. At each level all modes are individually assessed by an externally set test paper that is internally marked and externally verified. At Levels 1 & 2, the reading mode is the Adult Literacy Test, which can be taken either paper based or on-screen.

The Speaking and Listening unit of the ESOL qualification is currently offered as a standalone qualification at Entry Level 1, 2, 3 and Levels 1 and 2.

There is no requirement for learners to complete a portfolio of evidence for any of the Edexcel ESOL qualifications. The tests, at all levels, are based on the National Standards for literacy and the ESOL core curriculum.

To find out about 'ESOL for Work' qualifications, visit Pearson Language Assessments who provide examinations to assess and accredit English language usage of students who are speakers of other languages. They deliver the London Tests of English and the London Tests of English for Children in association with one of the UK's largest examining bodies, Edexcel (a Pearson company).

This is a DIUS' and partners' information leaflet on the new suite of qualifications. It contains the following Frequently Asked Questions:

• Why ESOL for Work?



• How are the new qualifications different from Skills for Life ESOL?



• How will they be funded and delivered?



• What more can you tell me about the new qualifications?



• How were they developed?



• Who are the new qualifications aimed at?



• What are the advantages for learners?



• What are the advantages for employers and businesses?



• What are the advantages for colleges and learning providers?



• What next?

OCNW has worked closely with practitioners and leading subject experts to develop a new portfolio of flexible ESOL for Work qualifications. The programme has been designed to place an emphasis on 'communicating the message' and focuses on the vocabulary and contexts most often encountered in the workplace or when looking for work.

The qualifications comprises of three units:

• Speaking & Listening
• Reading
• Writing

Each unit has an option to study towards a 'pre-work' or 'in work' assessment making the qualification suitable for a range of learners.

Uniquely, the OCNW qualification allows the learner to take the writing unit at the same level as the Speaking & Listening and Reading units, or at one level below.

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide the background, context and general characteristics for the new ESOL for Work qualifications, along with a brief summary of the funding.

Below are the list of partners and awarding bodies.

The Partners

• Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
• Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
• National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults (NATECLA)
• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)

Awarding Bodies

• Cambridge ESOL
• City and Guilds
• EDEXCEL
• English Speaking Board
• National Open College Network (NOCN)
• OCNW
• SQA
• Trinity College London

On Tuesday 16th October 2007, a new suite of English language qualifications was launched by Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Bill Rammell MP.

The new ESOL for Work qualifications will make it easier for employers and migrant workers to get the functional English language skills they need. The qualifications offer a new solution specifically tailored to the needs of employers and will encourage employers to contribute to the cost of training their staff.

The new qualifications are shorter and more work-focused than traditional ESOL qualifications, giving learners practical English skills in essential workplace matters, such as health & safety and customer service. As well as better accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness, the new qualifications will help employers benefit from improved communication and productivity.