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Mission Statement

ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages
1) ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages
This range of examinations offers a communicative approach to the testing of listening, reading and writing at five levels: Basic, Elementary, Intermediate, Higher Intermediate and Advanced.
2) Who are the ESOL examinations for?
* Non-native speakers of English worldwide
* Young people or adults attending an English course either in the UK or overseas.
* Students learning English as part of their school or college curriculum.
* People needing English for their everyday or working life.
* Those who are attending courses over a period and require a series of graded examinations which provide 'rungs up the ladder' of proficiency.
* Learners attending short courses in English.
3) Why take Pitman Qualifications ESOL Examinations?
* Examinations are on demand.
Centres are in control of timetabling and can hold examinations whenever required. Pitman Qualifications needs three weeks notice for the UK and Ireland, and six weeks overseas.
* Integrity of total external assessment
Centres can be confident of quality and the maintenance of international standards.
* Feedback reports
Unsuccesful candidates automatically receive a short feedback report designed to prepare them to retake an examination.
* Certification
Results and certificate are normally issured within eight weeks.
* Recognition
ESOL examinations at Higher Intermediate and Advanced levels are recognised as evidence of meeting the English language requirement by a number of universities, professional bobies and employers worldwide.
* Easy in run
- simple administration
- same format at each level
- task based questions at each level
- use of adapted authentic material
- grammer tested in context
4) Levels
The levels chart below shows the five levels of the ESOL examinations, the duration of each examination and the skills involved.

Chart

Examination Duration Skill
Basic 2 hours  
Elementary 2 hours Listening, Reading
Intermediate 2 1/2 hours Writing and English
Higher Intermediate 2 1/2 hours at all levels
Advanced 3 hours  

5) Stardards
In order to provide a yardstick for language proficiency and to ensure a common standard, all UK examinations boards testing English language relate the levels of their respective examination to either the English-Speaking Union's Nine-Level scale or the Council of Europe's Framework of Reference. Pitman Qualifications relates the ESOL examinations to the English Speaking Union Scale (ESU scale)

The comparative levels chart shows the relationship between the two scales and quotes the English-Speaking Unions Overall language proficiency descriptor for each of the five ESOL examinations.

Comparative Levels Chart
Advanced 7 Uses language effectively and in most  
    situations, except the very complex and difficult. A few lapses in accuracy, fluency, appropriacy and organisation, but communication is effective and consistent, with only a few uncertainities in conveying or comprehending the content of the message.  
      Mastery
Higher Intermediate 6 Uses the language with confidence in  
    moderately difficult situations. Noticeable lapses in accuracy, fluency, apporapiracy and organisation, but cummunication is effective and consistent, with only a few uncertainties in conveying or comprehending the content of the message  
      Effective Operational Proficiency
Intermediate 5 Uses the language independently and  
    effectively in all familar and moderate difficult situations, Rather frequent lapses in accuracy, fluency, appropriacy and organisation, but usually succeeds in communicating and comprehending general message.  
      Vantage
Elementary 3 Uses a limited range of language sufficient  
    pracital needs. In more exacting situations, there are frequent problems in accuracy, fluency, appropriacy and oraganisation, so that normal communicaitions and comprehension frequently break down or are difficult to keep going.  
      Waystage
Basic 2 Uses a very narrow range of language,  
    adequate for bais needs and simple situations. Does not really have sufficient language to cope with normal day-to-day, real-life communication, but basic communication is possible with opportunities for assistance. Uses short, often inaccurately and inappropriately worded messages, with constant lapses in fluency.  
      Breakthrough