What is ESOL? ESOL means English for Speakers of Other Languages.

The world of English language learning can be a confusing place.  Not only is it a completely different language (and sometimes alphabet!), but the specialist words are filled with vague acronyms, like ESOL, EFL and IELTS.  Don’t worry students, you’re not the only ones who don’t always understand – it can get quite confusing for teachers too!

In this article, we’re going to answer some of your basic questions about English language words, before taking a closer look at the world of ESOL (because that’s what we’re great at!).  The answers will be short, but also link you to other pages with more detailed information.  The article is in sections to help you build up your knowledge and easily find the information you need.  We hope this will help make the world of language learning a little less scary!

Quicklinks:

• Answers to questions about ESOL
• What is ESOL?
• What is the best language framework?
• What is the cost of learning English?
• Can I learn English for free?
• Are ESOL courses good?
• What is an ESOL qualification?
• Can ESOL get me into university? 

 

The ESOL Basics

There are two types of frameworks we talk about in English Language teaching, language frameworks and exam frameworks.  The frameworks you chose usually depend on WHERE and WHY you are learning English.

 

Exam And Language Frameworks

 

What is a language framework?

A language framework is a system used to organise the skills needed for language learning into a clear path for students and teachers.

There are different English language frameworks like ESOL, EFL, CEFR and GCSE.

 

What is an exam framework?

An exam framework is a system used to test students’ abilities.

It is done through either pass/fail exams or by using grades/scales to show student ability.  These can be set by countries, like the UK’s NQF, or international exam boards like Cambridge Assessments and IELTS.

 

What are the frameworks used in the UK?

The main language frameworks used in the UK are ESOL, EFL, CEFR and GCSE.

They all have different purposes and have different criteria to use them.

The main exam frameworks are Cambridge Assessments and IELTS.  These are internationally recognised exams.  If you study in a government funded English language course in the UK, you will do either NQF or QCF exams.  These are specific to the UK.

Let’s look at all these frameworks in a bit more detail.

 

What does ESOL mean?

ESOL means English for Speakers of Other Languages.

It is used in the UK and other English-speaking countries to teach English to people who already live in that country, for example refugees and migrants. You can usually still join ESOL classes if you are only visiting the UK. Fees for ESOL classes depend on your status in the UK.

 

ESOL

 

What is ESOL?

ESOL is a type of English language framework.

ESOL courses help you to develop the language you’ll need for everyday interactions, like going to the shops or visiting the doctors.  ESOL English classes are designed for different levels; from complete English language beginners to students who are preparing to English to study at university or to get work in the UK. In the UK, ESOL courses are based on the UK school system’s National Curriculum Levels and its exam framework follows either the National Qualifications Framework or Qualifications and Credit Framework (NQF/QCF).  There are different exams that are graded for each level.

 

What is NQF/QCF?

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).

These are the two main exam frameworks used in the UK to regulate qualifications and ensure a certain standard to levels.

NQF is the framework used for courses where you MUST pass all the exams by the end of the course to get a qualification.  Examples of NQT exams would be GCSE English Language or Functional Skills English.

QCF is the framework used for courses where each exam has its own certificate.  When you put all the certificates together you have a full qualification, but you could do this over a longer time. Example of QCF exams would be ESOL exams.

More Information

 

EFL

 

What does EFL mean?

EFL means English as a Foreign Language.

It is used to teach English to people who do not live permanently in an English-speaking country.  This could include children learning a language at school in their country or people who visit the UK for a few weeks to study English.

 

What is EFL?

EFL is a language framework.

It is very similar to ESOL, from the skills expected at each level to the topics covered.  Many EFL courses taught in Europe are made around the CEFR Framework.  However, in the UK lots of EFL schools use different level labels, starting at beginner and going up to advanced.

Many EFL schools will still offer private tuition to people who live permanently in the UK.

 

CEFR

 

What does CEFR mean?

CEFR means Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

It is most used in EFL, particularly in European schools.

 

What is CEFR?

CEFR is the language framework used in Europe to standardise understanding of English language skills across different countries.

Topics covered and grammar points at each level are broadly the same as the equivalent ESOL level.  CEFR’s grading system can be referred to in several different ways: from beginner to master, A1 to C2 or basic to proficient user.  Exam frameworks differ from country to country, but Cambridge Assessments offer internationally recognised exams that follow this framework.

 

IELTS

 

What does IELTS mean?

IELTS means International English Language Test System.

It is the one of the main system used to decide whether a person from a non-English speaking country has enough English to study at university or get work in an English-speaking country in a high skill profession – like a doctor or engineer.  You can study IELTS anywhere in the world.

 

What is IELTS?

IELTS an English exam framework that is used around the world.

IELTS preparation courses help you to improve your skills specifically for IELTS exam questions, such as writing essays and analysing graphs. However, IELTS courses don’t have a specific language framework like ESOL, EFL or CEFR. You can sit an exam for General English or Academic English, depending on your needs.  There is one exam for all English levels.  IELTS courses usually start once you have reached a certain proficiency in English (Entry 3 / Pre-Intermediate/ B2), but its grading system is points based from 0 (non-user) to 9 (expert user).

 

Cambridge Assessments

 

What is does Cambridge Assessments mean?

Cambridge Assessments is the name of an exam board based at Cambridge University in the UK.

It is another system, like IELTS, used to decide whether a person has enough English to work a high skill profession or study at university in an English-speaking country.  You can study for Cambridge Assessments anywhere in the world.

 

What are Cambridge Assessments?

Cambridge Assessments are a part of the Cambridge exam framework and follows the CEFR language framework.

There are different exams for the different levels of CEFR and you sit the exam that is right for you.  Courses for Cambridge exams run as preparation courses, like IELTS.  However Cambridge preparation courses are level specific and IELTS preparation courses are usually one level.  Cambridge have recently changed the names of their assessments to better match the grading system in CEFR – for example: what used to be called PET is now called B1 Preliminary and the old CAE is now C1 Advanced.

 

GCSEs

 

What does GCSE mean?

GCSE means General Certificate of Secondary Education.

GCSEs can be taken in lots of subjects but can only be taken in the UK. GCSEs serve as a minimum requirement for lots of jobs in the UK, with most job adverts asking for 5 passing GCSEs including Maths and English.  This is a common requirement for studying university courses in the UK too, especially medicine.

 

What is a GCSE?

A GCSE is an exam that children in UK schools take when they are roughly 16 years old and are finishing Secondary School.

Students usually take between 8-12 GCSEs in different subjects, depending on their ability.  GCSEs follow the NQF exam framework and are graded 9 (high) – 1 (low), with 4 counting as a passing grade.  Before 2017, GCSEs were graded on a letter system A* (high) – G (low) with C as a passing grade.

 

What is the best English language framework?

The best language framework depends on what you need your English for!

For beginners and learners with no specific goals, ESOL or EFL are the best ways to start/ improve your language.  Both frameworks cover similar material at equivalent levels, it just comes down to location and cost!  Personally, we love the studying English while in the UK because you HAVE to practice!

If you want to:

• Study at university in the UK and have the necessary entry qualifications (besides English) or
• Continue working in your specialist profession (e.g. doctor or engineer – you MUST already be qualified to a UK standard);

IELTS or Cambridge Assessments courses would be better suited for you.  Most UK universities ask for an IELTS grade of 6 or Cambridge , whilst most professional jobs ask for 7.  It is worth using ESOL or EFL classes to get your English to a general level before starting IELTS courses.

If you currently live in the UK, want to study at a UK university and DO NOT have equivalent entry qualifications from your country then you are better off taking GCSEs.  You will also need to take a relevant Access Course.

 

Cost of learning English

 

How much does it cost to learn English?

It is difficult to say how much learning English costs because there are so many ways to do it!

You can start learning English or improve your English for free at home, but to get to advanced levels it’s useful to take classes or visit the UK for a short time to build your language experience.

Some estimated* costs for learning English in the UK:

• Private teachers (face to face or online) cost around £25-£30 per hour.
• EFL schools in the UK charge around £300 per week for classes of 15-23 hours, £500 if you need accommodation too.
• As an ESOL school we do things slightly differently. We offer free English classes to eligible students and subsidise teaching for everyone else.  Visit of fees page for more information on ODILS prices.

*These costs will change depending on the English provider.  It’s important to do your own research on teachers, school and locations to find out which one is best suited to your needs!

 

How can I start learning English for free?

When you’re just beginning to learn English, or just trying to improve your English, there is a lot you can do from home for free.

Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

• Mobile Apps – Duolingo has free and paid subscriptions and Babbel offer free lessons as trials.
• Websites – We love ESOL Nexus and British Council Learn English.
• Read a book or news article in English.
• Watch English movies with subtitles.

For more ideas and resources, visit our student resources page.

 

Answers to questions about ESOL

 

What does ESOL stand for?

ESOL stands for English as a Second Language.

Have a look at the ESOL information in the frameworks section at the top of the article for more details.

 

Are ESOL courses good?

As an ESOL provider we think that ESOL courses are GREAT!

ESOL courses are designed to help people with the practicalities of life in the UK, from going to the doctors to talking about British issues, and help people get exams that are more recognised in the UK.

Because we’re based in the UK, we can take our students in to the community, we’ve taken the bus to Tavistock and gone to cafes to practice ordering drinks and have a general chat.  We also try to focus on employment skills with our students, as most of them are learning English to get jobs and start their new lives in the UK.  Have a look at what our students have been doing.

On the other hand, EFL courses are often designed for people who visit for a short period.  The activities they do will focus more on tourism and entertainment, rather than general life and work.

 

How does ESOL work?

ESOL works in different ways depending on the provider.  At Odils we offer classes following the UK academic year on a roll on roll off basis.  This means you can start as soon as we have space in a class for you.

We offer classes at 6 different ESOL levels, so you can learn with people of the same level as you.  We work towards different exams throughout the year.

The exams you do will be decided by you and your teacher depending on your skills.

Some ESOL schools run classes over an academic term.  The other ESOL school in Plymouth, UK will only allow people to start classes in September or February.  They run different classes for the different exam frameworks, and they will place you in the best class for your level. It is best to check with individual ESOL providers to see what they offer.

 

Is ESOL a qualification?

ESOL is a type of qualification in the UK, as well as a language framework.

There are 3 ESOL qualifications that are individual QCF units, which can be done at 5 different levels (not Pre-Entry).

At each level you can do:

• Speaking and Listening
• Reading
• Writing

Each exam is its own certificate and can be used by itself but passing all of them makes a full ESOL qualification at that level.  For example, if your writing isn’t very good, we might not ask you to take a writing exam.  However, we would not be able to move you up to the next class until you have passed it!

At ODILS we also use Functional Skills exams to help students progress.  Functional Skills are NQT exams, so you need to pass all the exams to gain this qualification.  Functional Skills units are the same skills as ESOL units.

For more information about the exams we do at ODILS, look at our exams page.

 

How many ESOL grades are there?

There are 6 different levels or grade in ESOL: Pre-Entry, Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2.

To find out more about how these levels relate to other frameworks and what skills are expected at each level, visit our grading page.

 

Can ESOL get me into university? 

No, an ESOL qualification cannot get you into university.

However, they are a very important step on the way to getting the English you need for university.  Most universities will ask for GCSE English, Cambridge B2 First or an IELTS score of about 6.0 to get onto their courses.  This is particularly strict for subjects like Medicine and there are often other academic requirements.  Some Arts subjects might accept Level 2 Functional Skills English, but this will depend on the university.

 

Is an ESOL qualification like getting GCSEs?

Level 1 and 2 ESOL qualifications are very similar to GCSE English Language.

In fact, GCSEs are the same level qualification.  However, lots of employers and universities still don’t know very much about ESOL qualifications and they are often overlooked.  Functional Skills exams are more widely recognised and go up to the same level, although GCSEs are still preferred. Many of our students who finish Level 2 ESOL and Functional Skills with us go on to study GCSE English.

 

Who regulates ESOL courses?

ESOL courses are regulated by Ofqual, a UK government body.  They set out the rules for the development and accreditation of ESOL courses.

There are several different exam boards that run ESOL qualifications.  These exam boards are checked and accredited by Ofqual before they can offer exams to language schools.  ODILS runs exams from 3 different accredited boards, visit our exams page for more information.

Language Schools should also be accredited by training and exam boards to ensure they provide quality teaching.  At ODILS we get checked regularly by lots of different training boards, both as a main contractor and sub-contractor.

 

Are ESOL courses free?

ESOL courses are free for people who live in the UK and don’t work or are classed as ‘low wage’.

Check out our fees page to see if you’d be eligible for free classes.

If you are not living in the UK or earn a certain amount each month, then you will need to pay for your ESOL classes. The price will depend on the location/school you go to.

 

What are the alternatives to ESOL?

If an ESOL class doesn’t sound right for you, these are the main delivered alternatives to ESOL:

• EFL classes
• IELTS classes
• Cambridge Assessment classes
• GCSE English
• Online private tutor
• CLIL or Content and Language Integrated Learning (learning a different subject through and foreign language – for example a French person studying history in English).

You can also learn English for free from your home if you’re only learning for fun!

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