The crucial sentence for me is on the pdf in Natalia’s email: “Anyone taking a test on or after 6th April 2015 that they intend to use in a UK immigration application must take one of the tests listed in table 1 at one of the approved test centres in table 2 or table 3.” I think that some of the confusion, for me at least, has been around the distinction between taking the test and having the qualification. My reading is as follows:

 

·         Anyone who has an “old” qualification, e.g.  C&G, etc. which was taken before April 6^th 2015 can use this qualification for any immigration application until November 2015.

 

·         Anyone submitting an immigration application who currently doesn’t have a qualification has to take one of the new SELT tests (IELTS or Trinity).

 

Does that sound about right?

 

Sam

 

 

 

From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Natalia Witcomb
Sent: 23 April 2015 10:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Regarding Changes to ESOL in November 2015

 

Dear Colleagues,  Gail,

 

The Home Office claims that they informed all the Awarding Organisations of the change on 23^rd March. They certainly did not notify Gatehouse Awards, and I have now spoken to representatives of several other AOs offering ESOL and they were not notified either. So I think your description of the change as a ‘subtle alteration’  is very accurate, to say the least.

 

I attach the document with the new SELT centres, both IELTS and Trinity – please see page 2 for the list of the UK centres.

 

Kind regards,

 

Natalia 

 

 

From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gail TB
Sent: 22 April 2015 22:42
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Regarding Changes to ESOL in November 2015

 

Dear all

I've gone back to Natalia's previous email to check details.

Was there an official "announcement" of the change to language requirements for settlement & citizenship, or was it just a subtle alteration of information on https://www.gov.uk/english-language/approved-english-language-qualifications? Could anyone point me to an official announcement? (I know that Stuart Hanson had an email sent on 26 March as the source, but I wondered if there was anything more public.)

Natalia - how did you get this list of SELT test centres? (I've been struggling to find anything on the web that would list only SELT IELTS centres.)

Is anyone going ahead with the idea of a judicial review?

Thanks.

Gail

On 11/04/2015 09:50, Natalia Witcomb wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

 

Despite my earlier post on this matter in March, I am very disappointed and dispirited, to say the least, to have to say that our colleague Stuart is correct.

 

The Home Office have finally decided to formally announce their decision in an update published on 9^th of April (see https://www.gov.uk/english-language/approved-english-language-qualifications). According to their announcement, only the two new SELT providers’ English language qualifications can be used to support in country immigration applications, i.e. for British Citizenship or ILR, as of November 2015.

 

Effectively this means that as of November, people who want to make their applications for BC or ILR will only be able to access the tests in the following locations in the UK:

 

Provider	Test centre number	Name of test centre	Address	Country	Test centre type	Date operational from
Trinity College London	58500	Trinity Belfast SELT Centre	Forsyth House, Cromac Square, Belfast, County Antrim BT2 8LA	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
Trinity College London	58501	Trinity Birmingham SELT Centre	Lonsdale House, 52 Blucher Street, Birmingham B1 1QU	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
Trinity College London	58502	Trinity Cardiff SELT Centre	Temple Court, 13a Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9HA	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
Trinity College London	58503	Trinity Glasgow SELT Centre	The Centrum Building, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3DX	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
Trinity College London	58504	Trinity Leeds SELT Centre	West One Building, 114 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 1BA	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
Trinity College London	58505	Trinity London Hammersmith SELT Centre	26-28 Hammersmith Grove, London W6 7BA	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
Trinity College London	58506	Trinity London Holborn SELT Centre	88 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AA	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
Trinity College London	58507	Trinity Manchester SELT Centre	Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester M1 5AN	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
Trinity College London	58508	Trinity Newcastle SELT Centre	Milburn House, Dean Street, Newcastle NE1 1LE	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
Trinity College London	58509	Trinity Peterborough SELT Centre	Stuart House, East Wing, St John’s Street, Peterborough PE1 5DD	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
IELTS SELT Consortium	GBS01	Basil Paterson College	Basil Paterson College, 65 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 4NA	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
IELTS SELT Consortium	GBS02	Ealing Hammersmith & West London College	Ealing Hammersmith & West London College, Hammersmith Campus, Gliddon Road, Barons Court, London W14 9BL	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
IELTS SELT Consortium	GBS04	London Metropolitan University	London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
IELTS SELT Consortium	GBS03	Anglia Ruskin University	Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
IELTS SELT Consortium	GBS05	University of Ulster	University of Ulster, St James's House, 10 Rosebery Avenue, Holborn, London EC1R 4TF	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
IELTS SELT Consortium	GBS06	Joseph Chamberlain 6th Form College	Joseph Chamberlain 6th Form College, 1 Belgrave Road, Highgate, Birmingham B12 9FF	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
IELTS SELT Consortium	GBS07	Connell 6th Form College	Connell 6th Form College, 301 Alan Turing Way, Manchester M11 3BS	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
IELTS SELT Consortium	GBS08	Cardiff and Vale College	Cardiff and Vale College, 35 The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AD	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
IELTS SELT Consortium	GBS09	Highbury College	Highbury College, Tutor Crescent, Portsmouth PO6 2SA	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015
IELTS SELT Consortium	GBS10	Belfast Metropolitan College	Belfast Metropolitan College, 7 Queen’s Road, Belfast BT3 9FQ	UK	UK permanent	06 April 2015

 

It remains unclear when the decision was made by the HO, however as far as I can tell it was not announced when the tender for the new SELT list was issued in autumn 2014, therefore at the time the AOs considering whether or not to apply were under the impression that the SELT list would continue to serve the same purpose that it did historically, i.e. both visas and in country immigration applications, with the option for the candidates to use any B1 or above ESOL qualification from the Ofqual register, or those from  Scottish Qualification Authority, remaining.

 

The decision has already sparked some outrage in Scotland, you might want to see an article to which I have been signposted by one of my colleagues (see http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/anger-over-home-office-threat-to-scottish-language-qualifications.122374706).

 

SQA themselves have expressed their concern about the change and are seeking clarification from the Home Office (see http://mailer.sqa.org.uk/english-language-testing-for-settlement-and-nationality/2015/16/27/deafc51d-3248-41a2-8e52-a46800da26da).

 

As far as I can tell, Ofqual have not officially commented on this change.

 

Yours,

 

Natalia Witcomb

Quality Assurance Manager

 

Gatehouse Awards

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From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rupinder K Kanda
Sent: 11 April 2015 00:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Regarding Changes to ESOL in November 2015

 

Hello,

 

Although the below is true, this question was clarified in an earlier discussion. 

 

Yes, the candidate can take the Trinity or IELTS SELT consortium option, etc.  However, candidates can still opt to take an ESOL exam from an OFQUAl registered body.  

 

Please see the link below, which states that this is still a valid route - the website was updated 5th April 2015. 

 

https://www.gov.uk/english-language/approved-english-language-qualifications 

Kindest regards,

Rupinder K. Kanda

 

> Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2015 22:43:22 +0100
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Fwd: Regarding Changes to ESOL in November 2015
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> For all ESOL teachers out there!
>
> Stuart
>
> -------- Original Message --------
>
> SUBJECT:
> Regarding Changes to ESOL in November 2015
>
> DATE:
> Thu, 9 Apr 2015 16:28:31 +0100
>
> FROM:
> "Harjinder Singh" <[log in to unmask]>
>
> TO:
> <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Dear Sir / Madam,
>
> I am writing to you with regards to the changes taking place regarding
> the English examinations for spouse, settlement and Citizenship
> applications by the Home Office. I know you are a provider and cater for
> learners in this area.
>
> I have attached an email received on Thursday 26th March 2015 through
> Home Office communications to me which I have attached. You will see
> that all examinations regarding spouse applications, TIER 4 applications
> and other similar immigration categories will have to do the English
> proficiency test through the new SELT examinations through Trinity and
> IELTS consortium after 6th April 2015. Furthermore you will see the
> changes further down in the email being announced in November 2015 for
> applications being made for Citizenship and Indefinite Leave to Remain
> (ILR). They will also need to do the examination through the new SELT
> examinations. The current OFQUAL awarding bodies will no longer be
> valid.
>
> This is a major concern for all providers and awarding bodies who are
> involved in this area of work. We are proposing a meeting on Friday 17th
> April 2015 in Birmingham (venue will be confirmed) to discuss this issue
> with other providers and representatives from OFQUAL registered awarding
> bodies.
>
> I would greatly appreciate your support in this matter and would like to
> stress to you to contact other providers and awarding bodies you have
> connections with to give their support and attend this meeting as a
> matter of importance.
>
> I look forward to hearing from you to confirm your support and
> attendance. Please confirm your interest in this matter at the earliest
> convenience by ringing me on my mobile or emailing me.
>
> Thank you and kind regards,
>
> Harjinder Singh
>
> (Director)
>
> Extra Learning UK Limited
>
> 104 High Street
>
> Smethwick
>
> Birmingham
>
> B66 1AA
>
> Tel: 0121 565 2475
>
> Mb: 07888 650725
>
> Web: www.exluk.com [1]
>
>
>
> Links:
> ------
> [1] http://www.exluk.com
>
> --
> STUART M HANSON
> Director
>
> M +44 (0)7748966211
> T +44 (0)8452993507
> E [log in to unmask]
> W www.lux-world.com
>
> OISC Registration: F201200652
>
> ***********************************
> 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
> 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 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 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 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 To contact the list owner, send an email to [log in to unmask]

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