ESOL Skills for Life (UK)

Learner progression in achievable steps

Trinity's ESOL Skills for Life qualifications are designed to aid progression and access into mainstream education and employment paths where English language skills are a requirement.

These qualifications are for adults aged 16 and over living in the UK who need English language skills for everyday life, for study and for employment. 

For learners who are not yet ready to take an Entry level qualification, we also offer Step 1 and Step 2 Awards.

Assessment content reflects real life

Trinity's approach focuses on supporting the development of communicative and transferable English language skills and on building learners’ confidence to use those skills in real life. The authentic nature of our topics and tasks makes preparation for our exams a motivating experience for students.

The content is based on the National Standards for Adult Literacy and is closely aligned to the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum.

Qualifications for each skill

Available at five levels from Entry 1 to Level 2, each ESOL Skills for Life award is a qualification in its own right.

Individual awards:

Reading |  Writing  |  Speaking and Listening

Overarching certificate:

Trinity ESOL Skills for Life certificate

Resources and support

Trinity offers the convenience and security that comes with external assessment by professional examiners, allowing teachers to focus on preparing learners instead of on testing administration.

We provide support for teachers and administrators, including free training and guidance for new centres and a dedicated named contact to answer enquiries about booking and preparing for the exams.

Find guidance and teaching resources:

Visit levels and resources to find specifications, guidance, sample practice papers and videos:

Go to levels and resources

Reliable evidence of skills

Our ESOL Skills for Life qualifications provide individuals and institutions with reliable evidence of the use of English language skills at different levels from Entry 1 to Level 2.

Trinity's ESOL Skills for Life qualifications are listed on the UK's Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). Find out more at Certificate information.

Exam fees and dates

For details of exam fees, flexible booking options for speaking and listening exams and fixed dates for reading and writing exams visit:

• ESOL exams in the UK
• Exam administration 

Training, news and events

• Visit our ESOL Steps and Skills for Life training and events section for information on training, news and events.
• For more information and to find out how you can offer Trinity Steps and ESOL Skills for Life exams, and how we can support you, email us at UKLanguage@trinitycollege.com

Additional information

Visit www.gov.uk for current SFA funding rules and read NATECLA's information sheet for guidance about ESOL Skills for Life funding.

“With Trinity it's all about
communication, not simply
learning and reciting phrases.”

Taoufik Beldi
ESOL Coordinator, Leicester