Open College Network West Midlands Entry Level ... · This Qualification Guide covers Entry Level (Entry 1) (CEFR Level A1) of the Open College Network West Midlands suite of qualifications

603/4331/X, 603/4332/1, 603/4333/3, 603/4334/5 V2 14/02/2020 Copyright © Open College Network West Midlands

Open College Network West Midlands Entry Level

Qualifications in ESOL Skills for Life (Entry 1)

Qualification Numbers: 603/4331/X, 603/4332/1,

603/4333/3, 603/4334/5


Mission Statement

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and communities.

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To be the best we can be. Our Values

• Integrity – committed to ethical and sustainable business practices; • Clarity – a clear qualification offer supported by transparent processes; • Collaboration – working with customers and other stakeholders; • Aspiration – supporting individuals to fulfil their potential and progress; • Excellence – committed to high quality; • Innovation – creating opportunities for learners, employers and communities; • Inclusion – celebrating diversity and respecting individuality.

www.opencollnet.org.uk

http://www.ocnwmr.org.uk/


Qualifications summary

This Qualification Guide covers Entry Level (Entry 1) (CEFR Level A1) of the Open College Network

West Midlands suite of qualifications in ESOL Skills for Life. The qualifications cover all three

elements: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening (which are combined). Qualifications are

available as three smaller Awards in each of the separate elements (single-mode), and as a larger

Certificate – which can be gained upon achievement of the three Awards (full mode).

For details of other levels of Open College Network West Midlands ESOL Skills for Life qualifications, please see the relevant Qualification Guides available from the website.

This document should be read in conjunction with the ESOL Skills for Life Assessment Guide.

Qualification Objective: Open College Network West Midlands ESOL Skills for Life

qualifications are designed for full-time or part-time learners who

are 16-19 or adult learners whose native language is not

English based within the UK to develop their English language

skills for work, further learning or everyday life.

The qualifications support career development opportunities for

those already in work by providing skills such as reading,

writing, speaking and listening. These qualifications can be

taught as full-time or part-time courses in schools, colleges and

training centres; employers may also offer these qualifications.

They are intended for anyone based in the UK needing to

improve their understanding and use of written or spoken

English. This might be to help get on at work (or get a job),

prepare for further study, access public services, or just to

function more effectively in an English-speaking environment.

The qualifications are based on the Adult ESOL Core

Curriculum and the National Standards for Adult Literacy.

Progression Routes: These qualifications enable learners to progress towards higher-

level English qualifications. They give learners the competence

Title Qualification Number

Level Credit Value

GLH TQT

Open College Network West Midlands Entry Level Award in ESOL Skills for Life (Speaking and Listening) (Entry 1)

603/4331/X Entry 1 12 120 120

Open College Network West Midlands Entry Level Award in ESOL Skills for Life (Reading) (Entry 1)

603/4332/1 Entry 1 6 60 60

Open College Network West Midlands Entry Level Award in ESOL Skills for Life (Writing) (Entry 1)

603/4333/3 Entry 1 6 60 60

Open College Network West Midlands Entry Level Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life (Entry 1)

603/4334/5 Entry 1 24 240 240

https://www.opencollnet.org.uk/qualifications/all-qualifications/esol-skills-for-life

https://www.opencollnet.org.uk/documents/Guides/AssessmentGuideESOLSfL.pdf


and confidence to use their English skills in their studies and

employment and other areas of their life.

Entry requirements: There are no specific entry requirements to access this

qualification, but the minimum recommended age for access to

this qualification is 16 years of age.

Assessment requirements: This qualification is internally assessed through controlled

assignments with external quality assurance in place.

Assignments are either:

• developed by Open College Network West Midlands,

• developed by Open College Network West Midlands as

requested by centres, and/or

• developed by centres and approved by Open College

Network West Midlands.


Structure and level of these qualifications

To achieve the Open College Network West Midlands Entry Level Award in ESOL Skills for Life

(Speaking and Listening) (Entry 1), learners must achieve 12 credits:


(Reading) (Entry 1), learners must achieve 6 credits:


(Writing) (Entry 1), learners must achieve 6 credits:

To achieve the Open College Network West Midlands Entry Level Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life

(Entry 1), learners must achieve 24 credits from the Mandatory Units. There are no optional units for

this qualification:

Title Level CEFR level

GLH TQT Unit code Unit reference

number

Speaking and Listening Entry 1 A1 120 120 FN2/E1/NQ/001 H/617/5404



number

Reading Entry 1 A1 60 60 FN2/E1/NQ/002 R/617/5401



number

Writing Entry 1 A1 60 60 FN2/E1/NQ/003 M/617/5406



number

Speaking and Listening Entry 1 A1 120 120 FN2/E1/NQ/001 H/617/5404

Reading Entry 1 A1 60 60 FN2/E1/NQ/002 R/617/5401

Writing Entry 1 A1 60 60 FN2/E1/NQ/003 M/617/5406

http://www.opencollnet.org.uk/documents/units/fn2e1nq001.pdf

http://www.opencollnet.org.uk/documents/Units/fn2e1nq002.pdf


http://www.opencollnet.org.uk/documents/units/fn2e1nq001.pdf




Level descriptors

Units are assigned a level based on current RQF guidance issued by Ofqual.

Level Knowledge Descriptor (the holder…)

Skills Descriptor (the holder can…)

Entry 1 Progresses along a continuum that

ranges from the most elementary of achievements to beginning to make use of knowledge and/or understanding that relate to the subject or immediate environment.

Progress along a continuum that ranges from the most elementary of achievements to beginning to make use of skills that relate to the subject or the immediate environment.

Extracted from ‘After the QCF A New Qualification Framework’ October 2015

CEFR level

A1 Breakthrough

The language user can:

• understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type,

• introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has, and

• interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Extracted from ‘Pathways to Proficiency’ 2003


Assessment

The assessment process is as follows:

Internally marked Assignments

This qualification requires internal marking of controlled assignments. Achievement is therefore determined by the successful completion of these internally marked assignments. The assessment process is as follows:

⚫ Assignments are either: developed by Open College Network West Midlands; developed by Open College Network West Midlands as requested by centres, and/or developed by centres and approved by Open College Network West Midlands

⚫ Assignments are marked by centres under controlled conditions, with external quality assurance through Open College Network West Midlands

⚫ The learners sit the required number of assignments for the qualification

⚫ Results will be released to centres once the standardisation and awarding process has finished.

All Open College Network West Midlands ESOL Skills for Life qualifications are assessed through internally marked, externally quality assured controlled assignments.

Centres are advised to refer to our Centre Handbook and the ESOL Skills for Life Assessment Guide. These provide guidance on how centres must conduct the internally marked controlled assignments for ESOL Skills for Life qualifications.

Requirements to deliver the qualification

To offer this qualification, centres must ensure that tutors hold or are working towards:

⚫ A level 4 teaching qualification such as the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training or

an equivalent with English Language as a subject specialist

or

⚫ A level 5 Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or a

Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)

Centres must also ensure that they have in place an Internal Quality Assurance person who:

⚫ Holds or is working towards a Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment

Processes and Practices or its equivalent

⚫ Has substantial experience of working in or assessing qualifications in English as a second

or foreign language or English Language

⚫ Is familiar with the assessment requirements of the qualification for which they are the

Internal Quality Assurer

To gain approval to offer the qualification, centres must submit a Qualification Approval Form (QAF). If you are not an Open College Network West Midlands Recognised Centre and you wish to offer the qualification, you will need to apply for Centre Recognition with us. To start the application process please email [email protected] or telephone 01902 624 239. For more information visit Becoming a Centre on our website.

http://www.opencollnet.org.uk/centres/assessment-and-evidence?search=

https://www.opencollnet.org.uk/documents/Guides/AssessmentGuideESOLSfL.pdf

https://www.opencollnet.org.uk/qualifications/qualification-approval

https://www.opencollnet.org.uk/qualifications/qualification-approval

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.opencollnet.org.uk/centres/becoming-a-centre


Annex 1 – Further details

Qualifications structure

Each Award is assessed through separate internally marked controlled assignments, externally quality

assured by Open College Network West Midlands.

Unit No. of Tasks

Task 1 Type Task 2 Type Task 3 Type Time allowed

Speaking and Listening

3 Listening for gist and specific information – from a recording

Short conversation on given topic - with appropriate prompts

Short discussion on a given topic, including information exchange – with appropriate prompts

40 minutes

Unit No. of Tasks

Task 1 Type Task 2 Type Task 3 Type Task 4 Type Time allowed

Reading 4 Matching exercise, upper and lower-case letters

Matching exercise, signs and symbols to words

Reading comprehension – matching information headings to information on forms, comprehension questions, purpose or type of text

Reading comprehension, straightforward comprehension questions and purpose of text

60 minutes

Writing 3 Task 1 Type Task 2 Type Task 3 Type 45 minutes

Insert punctuation and use correct word order to write complete sentences

Fill in a form with the correct information

Write complete sentences on a given topic

For guidance, learners must normally achieve a minimum of 50% score in order to achieve each Award.

They must achieve all three Awards in order to achieve the Certificate.


The level of these qualifications reflects the Council for Europe Framework for References (CEFR) level

Descriptors:

Proficient User

C2 Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express self spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

C1 Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning. Can express self fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Independent User

B2 Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in own field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue fiving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

B1 Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in school, leisure etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Basic User A2 Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of own background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

A1 Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce self and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they own. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.


Overview of Assessment – Speaking and Listening

The total guide time for the Speaking and Listening examination is 40 minutes including an introduction

read by the Interlocutor. There are three tasks in total.

Learners are required to take the speaking examination individually with the tutor. It is possible for

learners to take the assessment in pairs, but this is not recommended.

Task 1 – Listening

Candidates will hear a recording of a public address or recorded broadcast of approximately 30

seconds. They may listen to this up to 3 times.

Candidates are then required to answer questions about what they have heard.

Task 2

Candidates will introduce themselves by stating and spelling their name and giving their address and

telephone number.

Candidates will then give a short monologue about given topic, using prompts given in the assessment. Candidates are able to make notes before speaking.

Task 3

Candidates will have a discussion with their tutor on a given topic. The assessment will give a sub-topic for discussion alongside the main topic. Candidates will also need to construct simple questions to ask their tutor

Overview of Assessment - Reading

The total time allocated for the Reading examination is 60 minutes.

There are four tasks in total.

Task 1

Candidate need to match upper and lower-case letters as given. Candidates then need to match

images of signs and symbols to their name or purpose in word form.

Task 2

Candidates will read a short poster or notice to obtain information. Simple questions will test reading

comprehension and knowledge of purpose of text.

Task 3

Candidates will match information headings to information presented in the format of a simple form.

Task 4

Candidates will read a set of instructions such as a recipe or directions and will answer questions on

the text and its purpose.


Overview of Assessment - Writing

The total allocated time fort the Writing examination is 45 minutes.

There are three tasks in total.

Task 1

Candidates will be required to add capital letters and end of sentence punctuation to given sentences.

Task 2

Candidates will be required to fill in a simple form.

Task 3

Candidates will be required to write 2 full sentences on a given topic.

Sample assessment papers are available to download from our website and these will assist centres in

familiarising learners with the content and format of Open College Network West Midlands’

assessments for ESOL Skills for Life qualifications.

The information provided in this qualification guide is accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Open College Network West Midlands will occasionally update qualification information, so please refer to the ‘Open College Network West Midlands Qualifications’ page of our website to view any updates, including qualification end dates and the latest versions of our qualification guides.


Open College Network West Midlands Aldersley House

Overstrand Pendeford Business Park

Wolverhampton WV9 5HA

Tel: (01902) 624230 Fax: (01902) 624231

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.opencollnet.org.uk

Office Hours: Monday to Thursday - 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

Friday - 9.00 am to 4.00 pm

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Documents

Open College Network West Midlands Entry Level ... · This Qualification Guide covers Entry Level (Entry 1) (CEFR Level A1) of the Open College Network West Midlands suite of qualifications