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 850,000 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:

Objectives

To provide evidence of the candidates’ proficiency across four skills in English language: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Candidates may use an ISE qualification to provide evidence of their English language ability across Common European Framework of Reference levels: A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. ISE is suitable for any candidate either in or entering into an educational context. ISE has been designed to reflect the type of tasks and texts students encounter within the educational domain.

Assessment methods

ISE Foundation to ISE III Reading & Writing is assessed using dichotomous scoring and rating scales. ISE Foundation to ISE III Speaking & Listening is assessed using rating scales. One Independent Listening task in ISE Foundation and ISE I is scored. The overall result for each unit is taken by converting the total score into one of the following results:  Distinction - Merit  - Pass -  Fail. ISE IV Reading & Writing and Speaking & Listening is assessed by means of one overall criterion, Task fulfilment. This is assessed in each phase of the Interview using a four-point scale. The examiner assesses the candidate's performance in each phase of the exam by awarding a letter grade: A, B, C or D:
A — Distinction
B — Merit
C — Pass
D — Fail.

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)

Qualifications range from those starting out in a teaching career to senior teaching and management posts.

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 NQFCEFR LevelTrinity GESETrinity ISETrinity ESOL Skills for LifeTrinity ESOL for WorkCambridge English Language AssessmentIELTS
Entry 1A1Grades 2-Entry 1---
Entry 2A2Grades 3 & 4ISE FoundationEntry 2-KET3.0
Entry 3B1Grades 5 & 6ISE IEntry 3Entry 3PET4.0
Level 1B2Grades 7, 8, & 9ISE IILevel 1Level 1FCE5.5
Level 2C1Grades 10 & 11ISE IIILevel 2-CAE6.5
Level 3C2Grade 12ISE IV--CPE7.5

Worldwide accreditation varies from country to country.