proof of ESOL3

[rogerroger]

Hello

In the "life in the United Kingdom" book on page 11 it states that

The new and the old report recommended that for the purposes of naturalisation sufficient knowledge of both the language and life in the United Kingdom could be met either by attaining or already being at ESOL Entry (English for Speakers of Other Languages) on a first or subsequent assessment and then taking a citizenship test; or else by making progress in the lower ESOL language levels which would contain an integral programmer of studies about life in the UNited Kingdom

doesn't this mean that i have to get my assessed for ESOL Level three and then take the citizenship test, and the two test are independent of each other?

in that case, would my Master's in the UK serve as proof that i have ESOL Level Three?

[John]

Roger, two points from what you say.

Firstly it is important to distinguish between ESOL Entry Level 3 and ESOL Level 3 ... they are distinctly different! Thankfully the required standard is the much lower ESOL Entry Level 3 ... which is equivalent, by the way, to an IELTS score of just 4.0.

Secondly, anyone who takes the Citizenship Test in effect does not need to provide separate proof of their language ability. That is IND is assuming that anyone whose language ability is below ESOL Entry 3 level will not understand the Citizenship Test and therefore will fail it. Accordingly a pass in the Citizenship Test counts automatically as proof of language ability.

[rogerroger]

thanks for the reply John, that is what i understood that if i do the citizenship test, i dont need to do the ESOL entry 3.

but reading the para on page 11 in "life in the UNited Kingdom" led me to beleive that they are two indivdiau l requirements with the esol entry level 3 being a pre-requisite for natualisation test.

isn't the book contradictory?

[John]

Roger, yes I agree they could have written that in better language. However if you look at NEW NATURALISATION REQUIREMENTS FROM 1 NOVEMBER: IMPORTANT INFORMATION and then go to 1.19 you will see :-

1.19 Will those who pass the Life in the UK Test still have to prove knowledge of English to ESOL Entry 3?
No, because the language used in the life in the UK test will be at ESOL Entry 3 level, and so applicants who pass the test will automatically have shown that they have the required level of ability in English.

-: which I think is much clearer.

[rogerroger]

thanks john for taking the time out to clear my doubts.

you guys are great