ESOL for Work will now be offered for first teaching in September 2008.

These qualifications complement our ESOL Skills for Life qualifications and are specifically designed to meet the needs of learners who are employed or looking for employment in the UK but do not intend to become UK citizens or take up permanent residence. Certificates are awarded at two levels:

• Entry Level 3 Certificate in ESOL for Work
• Level 1 Certificate in ESOL for Work

ESOL for Work focuses on language for the workplace. The qualification gives candidates a chance to gain English language confidence in their work environment and improve their employability.  

It is acknowledged that for most learners to function effectively at work, greater demands will be placed on their speaking, listening and reading skills than on writing. Consequently, these qualifications have a flexible format that permits writing to be assessed at one level lower than the other skills.

In practice, this means that if a learner’s writing fails to achieve the criteria for writing in the relevant test, it is automatically reassessed using the criteria for the level below.

Therefore, to achieve an Entry Level 3 certificate in ESOL for Work, a learner would have to demonstrate skills at Entry Level 3 for speaking, listening and reading but could demonstrate writing skills at Entry Level 2 in the Entry Level 3 Writing unit.

Similarly, those seeking a Level 1 certificate in ESOL for Work would need to demonstrate skills at Level 1 for speaking, listening and reading, but could display writing skills at Entry 3.

If you would like to offer our ESOL qualifications, or would like more information, please email esolforwork@edexcel.org.uk.