Dear Naomi,

 

Thank you for this information. Likewise with your college, the initial assessment used for Newham Adult Learning Service describes the starting point and not the achieved point of a prospective learner, including those with no literacy skills in L1(Non-lit) and literate L1 learners that have no/ insufficient English to work at E1 (pre-entry) for which dedicated classes are provided for each.

 

As a result of the recent changes, I had understood that a learner had to progress through two levels and have indeed advised a prospective learner from one of the Kent bordering south London boroughs (Newham is in east London) who has been unable to access ESOL closer to home for citizenship purposes that this was the case. From what your experience has shown, the position seems to have remained unchanged in that successfully progressing through one level is sufficient.

 

I have just checked on the UKBA website regarding "relevant progress" and have copied in that part:-

To demonstrate 'relevant progress', your college must confirm that you have progressed by at least one level from the level at which you were assessed at the beginning of the course that led to your relevant qualification. For example, if you were initially assessed by your college as being below Entry 1 level, you must obtain an ESOL (speaking and listening) qualification at Entry 1 level or above. UKBA "ESOL course in English with citizenship" page.

 

The confusion appears to be the wording "… progressed by at least one level from the level at which you were assessed at the beginning of the course that led to your relevant qualification." This is then mitigated by the following sentence.

I did speak to the UKBA over a year ago regarding the submission of an exam certificate for reading and writing as opposed to speaking and listening(S&L occurs in the first semester here, Sep- Feb; R&W, Feb-Jul) to demonstrate the learner's competence. The response was that this would be acceptable as it was assumed that to pass that, the learner must be able to speak(!)  

With best wishes.

Michael

Michael Potts, ESOL Co-ordinator,

Adult Learning Service,  CYPS,

London Borough of Newham

Beckton Globe, 1 Kingsford Way, London E6 5JQ

Tel: (020) 8430 2000 x 38204 Int: 38204

DDI: (020) 3373 8204

[log in to unmask]

 

 

 

 

Hi All

 

We have rung the Home Office and they too, seemed confused!

 

However, I have signed several of the new letters and my learners have been successful in obtaining their citizenship. I have basically included a narrative of their studies whilst at my institution. When we do initial assessments we determine what level they are, and then they go into a class at that level. I have clarified this for the H.O by explaining that when we assessed someone and say that they are ready for an E2 class, for example, that does not mean that they are already at that level, but that by the end of the course, they should be competent in the skills at E2 to pass the exam. This seems to be enough to satisfy the HO as it would appear that they do not have a true understanding of ESOL levels  & the process of I.A. etc.

 

We have been informed that if they then go on to complete a qual at that level that that is enough evidence to show progression and that it is not necessary for the learner to then enrol onto the next level and complete that. They are only interested in the S&L quals although I have included details of any other ESOL quals they have done also. Original certificates then need including with the application along with the signed and stamped letter. As I said earlier, we sign a lot of these letters at my college, I personally have probably done over a dozen since the new changes and so far they have been successful, so good luck!

Regards

Naomi

 

Naomi Nikhata

Advanced Teaching Practitioner

Basic Skills, ESOL & Life Skills

The Hub

Doncaster College

Chappell Drive

Doncaster

DN1 2RF

 

 

 

*********************************** ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds. To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ESOL-RESEARCH.html A quick guide to using Jiscmail lists can be found at: http://jiscmail.ac.uk/help/using/quickuser.htm To contact the list owner, send an email to [log in to unmask] *********************************** ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds. To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ESOL-RESEARCH.html A quick guide to using Jiscmail lists can be found at: http://jiscmail.ac.uk/help/using/quickuser.htm To contact the list owner, send an email to [log in to unmask]