Ofqual highlights Home Office changes involving English qualifications
Friday, 03 December 2010 10:33
Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications, examinations and assessments, is highlighting changes made recently by the Home Office regarding English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications and UK citizenship claims.
Despite the vast majority of ESOL qualification delivery and assessment meeting the required standard, Ofqual continues to see examples of malpractice in a small number of centres. As a result, the regulator has held a conference for ESOL awarding organisations and published new information on its website to help learners protect themselves.
ESOL at entry levels 1, 2 and 3 and levels 1 and 2 is an accredited English qualification, helping speakers of other languages integrate into the UK. This qualification is used as a pre requisite for claims through the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) for citizenship or indefinite leave to stay in the UK.
The Home Office has recently made changes to English language requirements legislation including the fact that centres offering ESOL must now be approved by the Home Office. To highlight the dangers of malpractice, share good practice and give the Home Office an opportunity to detail their changes, Ofqual staged a conference in Birmingham on 30 November.
Isabel Nisbet, Ofqual Chief Executive, said: "This event and the information we have published will help make sure the ESOL awarding organisations remain focused on the delivery of this qualification and are able to review their provision in the light of best practice and Home Office information."
The marketing of ESOL qualifications is also being addressed following cases of mis-leading advertising by ESOL centres. In cases of malpractice, Ofqual requires awarding organisations to investigate and take action.
In addition to the conference, Ofqual has written an open letter to the ESOL awarding organisations about the changes. The letter also sign-posts Ofqual’s guidance to learners on how to avoid bogus colleges.
Slides from the ESOL conference can be found here.
Note to editors:
1. For press enquiries please contact the Ofqual press office on 0300 303 3342 or 07798 924552 out-of-hours.
2. The open letter can be downloaded here and the advice to students here http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/help-and-support/94-articles/308-bogus-colleges-advice-for-students. Information about the changes to the citizenship legislation can be found here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsfragments/25-kol-settlement1
