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Naturalisation - New language requirement

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 10:53 pm
by phospholipid
Hello,

I'm wondering if I can pass the B1 English speaking and listening requirement:

I've lived in the UK for 14 years and have studied here all my life. I have 10 GCSEs including GCSE English, I have 3 A levels and 2 AS levels and I now study at University College London.

Is there any chance I can pass this requirement? I have tried to email them but haven't received a response. If I can be exempt from this requirement then how would I go about it exactly, would I need to include all of certificates obtained thus far in my application?

Please can someone help, I can't find any information about whether or not I'm exempt, I have already done and passed the Life in the UK test and have my application ready to go, just need to do this :(.

Thank you

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:02 pm
by Ayyubi72
Why email them?

They have made all the requirements public, and the whole world has access to their requirements.

It does not matter if you have lived in UK for 14 years or 140 years.

It does not matter if you have never been to school or you have 1000 GCSEs

They have their requirements. You either fit in, or you dont.

You can check if you have necessary qualifications by clicking this link.

Take out all your GCSEs, and match the qualifications in the list. If they

are not on the list then you need to do the test.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... hip/kol-uk

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:19 pm
by phospholipid
Ayyubi72 wrote:Why email them?

They have made all the requirements public, and the whole world has access to their requirements.

It does not matter if you have lived in UK for 14 years or 140 years.

It does not matter if you have never been to school or you have 1000 GCSEs

They have their requirements. You either fit in, or you dont.

You can check if you have necessary qualifications by clicking this link.

Take out all your GCSEs, and match the qualifications in the list. If they

are not on the list then you need to do the test.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... hip/kol-uk
Thanks for your response,

I emailed them to ask the same question. When I was doing my Life in the UK test the examiner who checked my passport asked me whether or not I was studying at a UK university. I told him I was and he said you should be exempt from taking the English speaking and listening requirement. I then came here after browsing the internet for answers asking the same question.

My qualification is not there, but I see that the B1 is equivalent to a 4.0 in the IELTS - which, when applying for universities was far below my GCSE grade in English. This is why I emailed them, and why I'm asking here.

As it seems I will have to do the test. Could someone recommend which one to do as it seems as though there are many. I'd prefer to do the ones which get marked the quickest so I can sent my application quickly.

Thank you for response again.

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:31 pm
by Ayyubi72
I am sure your english level is equivalent to UKBA requirements times 20. But that is not the point. Equivalent or actual real life practical or theoretical english skills is not the issue.

The issue is, does the writing on your paper match what they require.

The quick and best way is

http://englishexamcentres.co.uk/b1-esol ... vel-3.html

Costs £ 125 a shot.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. :)

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:37 pm
by phospholipid
Ayyubi72 wrote:I am sure your english level is equivalent to UKBA requirements times 20. But that is not the point. Equivalent or actual real life practical or theoretical english skills is not the issue.

The issue is, does the writing on your paper match what they require.

The quick and best way is

http://englishexamcentres.co.uk/b1-esol ... vel-3.html

Costs £ 125 a shot.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. :)
Well, this isn't the news I was expecting at all :(.

I'll take a look at booking the test tomorrow, thank you for your help.

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:20 am
by phospholipid
For anyone else reading this - I've booked my test at http://www.theenglishacademy.co.uk/as they had a spot available in 2 days (19th December), while others I had to wait till January.

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 11:08 am
by Ayyubi72