Trinity College London ESOL
Trinity College London ESOL is an international English Language examinations board delivering assessments in English language learning and teaching and has been offering English language examinations since 1938. Trinity College London's exams are taken by over 500,000 candidates in over 60 countries each year.
Language certificates offered include English for Speakers of Other Languages for non-native speakers of English, and Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages for teachers of non-native speakers of English. Trinity College London provides the following examinations:
Secure English Language Test (SELT)
Secure English Language Tests are provided at ten Trinity SELT centres in the UK only. The tests are approved for applications to UK Visas and Immigration for visas, British Citizenship and Leave to Remain. The approved SELTs are Graded Examinations in Spoken English at CEFR A1, A2 and B1 levels; Integrated Skills in English at B1, B2 and C1 levels.Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE)
The Graded Examinations in Spoken English test candidates' ability in listening and speaking.There are four Stages with three Grades at each Stage:
- Grades 1-3
- Grades 4-6
- Grades 7-9
- Grades 10-12
Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
ISE is accepted by academic institutions in the UK as evidence of English language proficiency for International students.
Learners can choose to take ISE exams on their own or combine them with the spoken grades as they progress in their English language abilities.
UK ESOL Examinations
These certificates are for ESOL learners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, designed in accordance with the UK Adult ESOL Core Curriculum.ESOL Skills for Life certificates
These assessments are offered in Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing and are available from Entry 1 to Level 2 in the Regulated Qualifications Framework. Trinity is the only examinations board to also offer pre-RQF assessments in Speaking and Listening – ESOL Step 1 and Step 2.
ESOL Skills for Life is externally assessed by a Trinity examiner.
Teaching Qualifications (TESOL/TEFL)
Trinity College London also offers TESOL qualifications - this is also known sometimes as TEFL or TESL qualifications. Trinity's TESOL qualifications are widely recognised by employers and authorities around the world.Qualifications range from those starting out in a teaching career to senior teaching and management posts.
- Trinity CertTESOL - for those with little or no experience of teaching English.
- Trinity LTCL DipTESOL - for those with at least 2 years experience.
- Trinity Cert IBET - Certificate in International Business English Teaching
- Trinity FTCL - Fellowship Trinity College London
- Trinity CertTEYL - Certificate in Teaching English to Young Learners.
- Trinity Joint CertTESOL - Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
- Trinity DTLLS - Diploma for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector - for the UK only
Academic Recognition
Trinity ESOL qualifications are accredited by the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority QCA, and its respective partners in Wales and Northern Ireland. They are listed in the UK's UCAS guide to qualifications acceptable as evidence of English language competency.UCAS considers an English language competency equivalent to NQF Levels 1 or 2 as appropriate for entry to UK Higher Education. The UCAS guides list the following Trinity ESOL qualifications acceptable as evidence of proficiency in English.
Comparison table for Trinity ESOL, Cambridge English Language Assessment and IELTS examinations
QCA NQF | CEFR Level | Trinity GESE | Trinity ISE | Trinity ESOL Skills for Life | Trinity ESOL for Work | Cambridge English Language Assessment | IELTS |
Entry 1 | A1 | Grades 2 | - | Entry 1 | - | - | - |
Entry 2 | A2 | Grades 3 & 4 | ISE 0 | Entry 2 | - | KET | 3.0 |
Entry 3 | B1 | Grades 5 & 6 | ISE I | Entry 3 | Entry 3 | PET | 4.0 |
Level 1 | B2 | Grades 7, 8, & 9 | ISE II | Level 1 | Level 1 | FCE | 5.5 |
Level 2 | C1 | Grades 10 & 11 | ISE III | Level 2 | - | CAE | 6.5 |
Level 3 | C2 | Grade 12 | ISE IV | - | - | CPE | 7.5 |
Worldwide accreditation varies from country to country.