Young Learners ESOL
The LanguageCert Young Learners ESOL exams
The Young Learners ESOL suite of exams are qualifications for primary-school, non-native English language learners. The exams are offered at two levels: Fox, which is approximately pre-A1, and Owl, which is approximately A1.
The Young Learners ESOL exams aim to:
- Establish that a child has reached a certain recognised, standardised level of English
- Provide an exam which supports the child; more specifically, all listening parts are heard twice
- Each task has an example so that children know what they are expected to do; the Interlocutor, who is conducting the Spoken Exam, will repeat a question or ask the question in a different way if the child doesn’t understand the first time
- Texts and tasks are based on topics which are familiar to children, for example, home and family life, school, everyday and leisure activities.
- Encourage further language learning by providing an exam that is motivating, fun to do and gives children a sense of achievement.
International ESOL
The Languagecert International ESOL
The aim of the LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications is to demonstrate a candidate’s ability to communicate using the English language across the CEFR levels from A1 (Entry 1) to C2 (Level 3).
The LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications offer a comprehensive test of Listening, Reading and Writing skills in English. The tasks in the examinations are designed to test the use of English in real-life situations. The ESOL series of graded examinations provides ‘steps up the ladder’ of proficiency and can motivate candidates who are attending courses over a long period to continue their studies. They are also suitable for candidates attending short courses in English. The LanguageCert International ESOL (Speaking) qualifications are also suitable for those who need to demonstrate that they have met the required level of English by passing a test with a UK Home Office approved Secure English Language Testing (SELT) provider.
These qualifications and associated examinations have been mapped to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
CEFR and alignment of International ESOL to the CEFR
The six levels of the LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications are linked to those of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages developed by the Council of Europe. The comparative levels chart below shows how the levels relate to each other and with the Equivalent UK National levels
| LanguageCert Levels | Common European Framework | Equivalent UK national levels (England and Wales) |
| A1 Preliminary | A1 Breakthrough | Entry 1 |
| A2 Access | A2 Waystage | Entry 2 |
| B1 Achiever | B1 Threshold | Entry 3 |
| B2 Communicator | B2 Vantage | Level 1 |
| C1 Expert | C1 Effective Operational Proficiency | Level 2 |
| C2 Mastery | C2 Mastery | Level 3 |
