Listen
Hear a short appointment conversation and identify the day, time and place.
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ESOL Support · UK-wide enquiries
English for the things
they want to say.
English language support shaped around starting points, communication goals and the contexts where the learner needs to use English.
Discuss a referral →Talk to our team
EVERYDAY ENGLISHBuild confidence.
Find your voice.
Find your voice.
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Build communication.
Understand the pathway.
ESOL support develops English for learning and everyday life. Where a qualification is appropriate, ESOL Skills for Life offers five levels, from Entry 1 to Level 2. A learner’s spoken and written skills may have different starting points.
Entry 1 · Skills for Life pathway
Start with useful everyday English.
A first Entry Level qualification stage. Teaching can begin with familiar words, personal information and simple exchanges.
Communication practice
Introduce yourself and ask a simple question.
Reading & writing practice
Recognise familiar words and practise writing essential information.
Entry 2 · Skills for Life pathway
Build everyday exchanges.
The next step within Entry Level. A programme can develop short conversations and understanding of straightforward information.
Communication practice
Ask for information, respond and check a detail.
Reading & writing practice
Read a short message and prepare a brief reply.
Entry 3 · Skills for Life pathway
Use English with more independence.
The highest Entry Level stage. Teaching can bring together descriptions, explanations and practical information.
Communication practice
Describe an experience, explain a plan or clarify a misunderstanding.
Reading & writing practice
Read practical information and write a connected explanation.
Level 1 · Skills for Life pathway
Explain ideas with greater detail.
A qualification stage beyond Entry Level. Learning can develop more extended communication in familiar education, work and everyday contexts.
Communication practice
Give reasons for a view and ask for further explanation.
Reading & writing practice
Identify key information in a longer text and organise a written response.
Level 2 · Skills for Life pathway
Adapt language to purpose.
The highest level in this Skills for Life pathway. Teaching can explore more detailed ideas, different audiences and purposeful communication.
Communication practice
Develop an argument and respond to another point of view.
Reading & writing practice
Compare information and produce a structured text for a chosen audience.
Illustrative teaching ideas, rather than assessment descriptors. The starting level is assessed individually; spoken and written skills may be at different levels.
Language and learning together
The programme recognises existing languages, education history and personal goals. English practice can connect to subject learning, independence or preparation for a next setting.
Awards and certificates
ESOL Skills for Life can recognise reading, writing, and speaking and listening through separate awards. The exact qualification and assessment requirements depend on the chosen awarding organisation.
Does ESOL use GCSE grades?
No. ESOL Skills for Life uses qualification levels and passes in the relevant awards, rather than GCSE grades 9–1. Language progress can also be recognised through learning goals and work samples when a qualification is not the immediate aim.
How do Trinity ESOL qualifications work?
Trinity College London offers separate Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening awards from Entry 1 to Level 2. Passing all three awards at the same level can lead to an overall ESOL Skills for Life certificate. This explains an available qualification pathway; any Trinity entry, eligibility and registered-centre arrangements must be confirmed individually before enrolment.
What should we confirm before an assessment?
Agree the learner’s language profile, intended award and level, awarding organisation, age and other eligibility requirements, registered centre, assessment format, dates, fees and any access arrangements. Online tuition does not automatically mean assessment can take place at home.
A learner may need ESOL alongside subject teaching or wider EAL support. We discuss those needs together so language development connects with the wider education plan.
Qualification guidance: Trinity ESOL Skills for Life
English beyond the lesson
One situation.
Four connected skills.
A practical context gives language a purpose. For example, planning an appointment can connect new vocabulary with a conversation, a short text and a written response.
Contexts are chosen around the learner’s age, interests and goals. This is an illustrative activity, not an assessment task.
Speak
Practise asking a question, checking a detail and requesting clarification.
Read
Find the important information in a simple message or appointment notice.
Write
Prepare a short confirmation or a message asking to change the time.
What the learner will receive
Language goals.
Practical use.
An appropriate pathway.
Education
Speaking, listening, reading and writing, starting with the learner’s language profile and the situations where they need to use English.
Support in the sessions
Useful vocabulary, modelled language, conversation practice and age-appropriate texts, with different starting points recognised across the four skills.
Qualifications and next steps
ESOL Skills for Life is a possible qualification pathway. The intended award, level, eligibility and registered-centre arrangements are agreed individually.
Making progress visible
Small steps.
Meaningful evidence.
Progress can be seen in how the learner understands a message, asks a question or communicates with fewer prompts. Speaking, listening, reading and writing may develop at different rates, so goals reflect the learner’s language profile and the situations where they need English.
Shared understanding at reviewLearning evidence, participation and the learner’s own views help shape the next step. Reporting frequency and who receives updates are agreed before support begins.
- 01
Understand
Find the key information in a relevant text or conversation.
- 02
Communicate
Ask a question or explain an idea using useful language.
- 03
Use independently
Communicate with fewer prompts in a familiar situation.
Example learning goals. The individual plan sets the priorities and how progress will be reviewed.
Before you begin
A few things you may want to know.
What is agreed before support begins?
We discuss suitability, learning priorities, the delivery setting, timetable, fees, relevant access and support needs, and the responsibilities of the adults involved. Any qualification entry or external activity is confirmed separately.
Is ESOL the same as subject tutoring?
ESOL focuses on developing English language skills. The learner may also need subject teaching or EAL support within their wider education plan; we discuss that distinction at enquiry.
Can we request policies first?
Yes. All policies are available on request through our policy request form.
Tell us about your young person.
Tell us about the support you are looking for.