ESOL Skills for Life FAQS

Learning centres are notified of results within 4 weeks and certificates are usually issued within 4-6 weeks. (Speaking and listening certificates are usually issued within 4 weeks. Reading, Writing and overarching ESOL Skills for Life certificates are usually issued within 6 weeks.)

Re-sits for the next available session can now be booked immediately after notification of results. For Reading and Writing exams this means sessions three weeks or more after the time of booking.

Trinity’s ESOL Skills for life qualifications are regulated by Ofqual, CCEA Regulation and Qualifications Wales. Trinity College London is an international exam board operating in over 60 countries worldwide. Trinity has been developing exams and assessing performance for over 140 years. Trinity English language qualifications are widely used by governments and institutions as robust and reliable evidence of English language proficiency. To demonstrate English language proficiency for UKVI purposes, find out about Trinity’s Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) and Approved Service Providers.

People prepare for and take Trinity’s ESOL Skills for Life exams at Trinity Registered Exam Centres. To apply to become a Trinity Registered Exam Centre, visit trinitycollege.com/register

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 exam preparation for our exams a motivating experience for students. 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.

Details of guided learning hours (GLH) and the total qualification time (TQT) for each qualification can be found in the exam specifications and and on the reverse of this leaflet.

It should be noted that rates of learner progression vary depending on personal and educational circumstances. GLH and TQT hours are therefore intended as indicators of the relative size of a qualification rather than a prescriptive requirement. See Oqfual TQT criteria for details of how GLH and TQT are estimated.

Many centres found that the on-demand system of 10 sessions a year was limiting them. Increasing the number of sessions and holding exams on set dates means that we can enhance security and improve efficiency. Trinity has decided on the dates in consultation with centres and based the schedule on predicted demand at the busiest times of the year - so there is a good range of dates for you to choose from. Sessions are in the morning, afternoon or evening, and you will be able to book as many dates as you need. See the schedule of dates.