1) Do all citizenship applicants have to do a Life in the UK Test?

2) Do learners wishing to follow the ESOL route have to take a complete qualification?

3) How will learners show they have studied ESOL in a citizenship context?

4) Do teachers have to cover everything in the Citizenship materials pack?

5) How long must learners study ESOL in a citizenship context?

6) Do all would-be citizens need to take a language qualification?

7) Where is the extra money going to come from to pay for all the people wanting to become citizens?

8) What extra funding will we receive for delivering ESOL with citizenship classes?

9) What format is the Life in the UK Test?

10) What does the Life in the UK Test cover?

11) Where can the the Life in the UK Test be taken?

12) How much will the Life in the UK Test cost?

13) How long can would-be citizens 'bank' a qualification? Can they apply for citizenship some years later?

A: Not all citizenship applicants will need to do the Life in the UK Test.

Applicants whose English is considered to be at or above Intermediate 1 (English ESOL Entry 3) will need to do the Life in the UK Test. Passing the test will mean the candidate is deemed to have also met the language requirements for naturalisation and no other proof of language proficiency will be required.

Applicants whose English is considered to be below Intermediate 1 (Entry 3) must take an ESOL qualification, at the appropriate level for them, in speaking and listening. In Scotland, this is 2 ESOL Units at Access Level under the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework approved by the Scottish Qualification Authority. Applicants should have studied for this qualification in an ESOL class using a citizenship context.
 

A: The requirement is to take a qualification in speaking and listening; this can be a unit towards the full qualification or a full qualification, it depends on the Awarding Body.

A: They will need a letter from their organisation showing that their ESOL qualification has been gained through some study of ESOL in a citizenship context. This will entail using some of the materials in the Citizenship Materials for ESOL Learners in Scotland pack.

A: Definitely not. Teachers should choose subjects and materials based on the interests and needs of their learners, as fits with good practice in ESOL.

A: At the moment, there is no fixed maximum or minimum time limit. However, the original report "The Old and the New" suggested a minimum of 20 hours. Their overall ESOL course needs to be long enough for them to achieve the qualification.
 

A: No. Care has been taken to keep the language of the Life in the UK Test at around Intermediate 1 (English Entry 3). If candidates are successful at the Life in the UK Test, then they are considered to have the required level of English language.

A: There is no additional money for ESOL courses, but it is not expected that there will be a huge increase in demand. It is thought that most would-be citizens are above Intermediate 1 (English Entry 3) and will take the Life in the UK Test.

A: There is no additional funding. Good ESOL courses are already delivered in a broad citizenship context: using some of the materials in the Citizenship Materials for ESOL Learners in Scotland pack is simply formalising this for naturalisation purposes.

Although some providers may decide to run specific courses for would-be citizens, in most cases it is envisaged that they will simply be part of already existing courses. The Citizenship Materials for ESOL Learners in Scotland, used appropriately, will be just as valuable and engaging for learners who are already UK citizens or for those with no interest in becoming naturalised as they will be for would-be citizens.

A: There are 24 multiple choice questions to be taken on-line. There are 45 minutes to complete the test and there will be a facility whereby the computer can read the test questions to the applicant.

A: It is based on the “Life in the UK” Handbook.

A: It is available through around 100 Learndirect centres, now called ‘Life in the UK Test Centres’.

A: £34.

A: At present there are no time restrictions.