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Hi,

My wife arrived in the UK on a spouse visa back in 28/08/2010.

In October 2012 she gained an Entry Level Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life (Speaking & Listening Entry 1) through Trinity College - who I believe are still an accredited college (certificate valid for 2 years; until October 2014).

She received her ILR on 25/01/2013.

We want to apply for naturalisation before the new requirements come into effect in October 2013.

I'm a British citizen so I understand she can apply for naturalisation once she has spent 3 years in the UK (so anytime after 28/08/2013) provided she meets all the other criteria. No problems there.

The only thing I am unclear on is whether or not the 'ESOL Certficate delivered within a citizenship context' is valid for her naturalisation application.


She progressed from pre-entry level to entry level 1.

Her confirmation of achievement letter stated:
"The ESOL course was delivered in a citizenship context and used learning materials derived from the 'Citizenship Materials for ESOL learners' pack produced for the Home Office by NIACE and LLU+. It covers the 12 units of Skills for Life Citizenship Materials for ESOL learners."

Will she have to do a LIUK Test or will the certificate she used for her ILR be sufficient as long as application is submitted before 28/10/2013?

Many thanks

See the KOLL (click) requirement.

Thank you for your reply and the link

I think the relevant portions in this case from that link are as in bold:

There are 2 ways to demonstrate your knowledge of language and life (KOL) in the UK.

If you are an English speaker (see below) and/or you are currently in the UK as a skilled or highly skilled migrant, you must pass the 'Life in the UK test'.
If you are not an English speaker and you are not a skilled or highly skilled migrant, you must pass a course in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) which contains citizenship materials.


If your English skills are below ESOL Entry 3 level (or Intermediate 1 level in Scotland), and you are not a skilled or highly skilled migrant, you must take an ESOL with citizenship course and obtain a relevant qualification to demonstrate your knowledge of language and life in the UK.

ESOL courses are available throughout the UK. The National Careers Service website can help you find a course at the right level in your area.

The course must be at an accredited college, and must include citizenship materials derived from the document 'Citizenship Materials for ESOL Learners' (ISBN: 1-84478-5424).

You must obtain a relevant ESOL qualification from an approved awarding body, and you must demonstrate that you have made relevant progress.

An 'accredited college' is:

a publicly funded college that is subject to inspection by Ofsted (if it is in England), the Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland), HM Inspectorate of Education (Scotland), Estyn (Wales); or an inspection programme that has been approved by the Island's Government (in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man): or
a private college that has been accredited by Accreditation UK, the British Accreditation Council (BAC), the Accreditation Body for Language Services (ABLS) or the Accreditation Service for International Colleges (ASIC).

A college meets the definition of an 'accredited college' if it is accredited on the date when you obtain your qualification, or if it is accredited on the date when your settlement application is decided.

A 'relevant ESOL qualification' is:

an ESOL qualification in speaking and listening at Entry 1, Entry 2 or Entry 3 level approved by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual); or
one National Qualifications Unit in ESOL at Access 2, Access 3 or Intermediate 1 level approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

It's just that I am unclear as to whether she would need to demonstrate her knowledge and language skills again by taking another course or whether her qualification gained in support of her ILR application would suffice.

kaidee wrote:Thank you for your reply and the link

I think the relevant portions in this case from that link are as in bold:

There are 2 ways to demonstrate your knowledge of language and life (KOL) in the UK.

If you are an English speaker (see below) and/or you are currently in the UK as a skilled or highly skilled migrant, you must pass the 'Life in the UK test'.
If you are not an English speaker and you are not a skilled or highly skilled migrant, you must pass a course in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) which contains citizenship materials.


If your English skills are below ESOL Entry 3 level (or Intermediate 1 level in Scotland), and you are not a skilled or highly skilled migrant, you must take an ESOL with citizenship course and obtain a relevant qualification to demonstrate your knowledge of language and life in the UK.

ESOL courses are available throughout the UK. The National Careers Service website can help you find a course at the right level in your area.

The course must be at an accredited college, and must include citizenship materials derived from the document 'Citizenship Materials for ESOL Learners' (ISBN: 1-84478-5424).

You must obtain a relevant ESOL qualification from an approved awarding body, and you must demonstrate that you have made relevant progress.

An 'accredited college' is:

a publicly funded college that is subject to inspection by Ofsted (if it is in England), the Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland), HM Inspectorate of Education (Scotland), Estyn (Wales); or an inspection programme that has been approved by the Island's Government (in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man): or
a private college that has been accredited by Accreditation UK, the British Accreditation Council (BAC), the Accreditation Body for Language Services (ABLS) or the Accreditation Service for International Colleges (ASIC).

A college meets the definition of an 'accredited college' if it is accredited on the date when you obtain your qualification, or if it is accredited on the date when your settlement application is decided.

A 'relevant ESOL qualification' is:

an ESOL qualification in speaking and listening at Entry 1, Entry 2 or Entry 3 level approved by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual); or
one National Qualifications Unit in ESOL at Access 2, Access 3 or Intermediate 1 level approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

It's just that I am unclear as to whether she would need to demonstrate her knowledge and language skills again by taking another course or whether her qualification gained in support of her ILR application would suffice.

Yes providing it has not expired (if applicable) on the form an, one of the questions is that you met the KOLL requirement for Settlement/ILR.

Excellent, thank you for your reply (and patience). I understand now!

Hi, just thought to update (apologies for the lateness )

The English Certificate that we used for ILR was sufficient for the citizenship application (which was successful).