Tutor/assessor requirements
Tutors/Assessors delivering the Gateway Qualifications ESOL qualifications should ideally hold a recognised teaching qualification such as the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training or Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training and ideally a specialist ESOL teaching qualification or the CELTA or DELTA qualification. Tutors/Assessors should ideally have an ESOL or Skills for Life background, alternatively they may have a linguistic background.
Internal quality assessor requirements
Internal Quality Assurers in addition to being ESOL Tutors/Assessors, should ideally hold a recognised internal quality assurance/verification qualification or be working towards one, examples as follows:
• D34 qualification.
• V1 qualification.
• Internal Verifier Award.
• Internal Verification of Credit Based Learning: Continuing Professional Development for Practitioners Award.
• Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.
• Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.
What is the purpose of this qualification?
The qualification is suitable for learners if English is not their first language and they wish to develop their English language speaking and listening skills at this level in order to progress in further study, work or life.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification is based on the National Standards for Adult Literacy and is fully referenced to the ESOL Core Curriculum. There is one mandatory unit: Speaking and Listening. Learners will learn how to:
• listen for detail and gist in spoken sources
• follow and give instructions, directions and explanations
• provide information and explanations
• ask questions and make requests for different purposes
• take part in discussions, contributing ideas and responding to others’, as well as asking and answering questions
• use appropriate language and register for formal and non-formal exchanges.
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite of ESOL qualifications which allows learners to progress through a framework of ESOL units and qualifications from Entry 1 to Level 2. Leasrners could progress from this Award, for example, to an ESOL Skills for Life (Speaking and Listening) Award at a higher level or to an Award in a different skill area, such as ESOL Skills for Life (Reading), at the same or higher level.
Learners can also progress from this Entry 3 Award:
• to an Level 1 Functional Skills qualification in English
• to other qualifications at Level 1 and above
• towards a GCSE in English.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification is designed to help learners begin to develop the English language speaking and listening skills that are needed in a wide range of job roles.
What are the English and maths progression options?
This qualification is part of a suite of ESOL qualifications which allows learners to progress through a framework of ESOL units and qualifications from Entry 1 to Level 2. Learners could progress from this Award, for example, to an ESOL Skills for Life (Speaking and Listening) Award at a higher level or to an Award in a different skill area, such as ESOL Skills for Life (Reading), at the same or higher level.
Learners can also progress from this Entry 3 Award:
• to an Level 1 Functional Skills qualification in English
• to other qualifications at Level 1 and above
• towards a GCSE in English.
What barriers will this qualification help the leaner overcome?
This qualification is designed to help learners begin to develop the English language speaking and listening skills that are needed in a wide range of job roles.
Progression & entry requirements
Learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. However, it is anticipated that their learning provider will have selected the qualification as suitable for learner on the basis of findings from initial and/or diagnostic assessment. Learners must be aged 16 or over to take this qualification.