SQA ESOL
Jill Murray
SQA ESOL
External Verifier
Background
 Increased demand for ESOL provision
across Scotland
 Need for full range of mainstream ESOL
qualifications to offer equal access to
education and employment
 Revised NQ ESOL Units linked to the
Scottish Credit and Qualifications
Framework (SCQF)
SQA NQ ESOL
Aims





Inclusion
Diversity
Quality
Achievement
Progression
NQ ESOL Framework
 5 levels from beginner to advanced English
 4 skills Speaking, Writing, Listening and
Reading assessed at each level, in each Unit
 Facilitates progress into FE, HE and
employment
 Prepares learners for assessment in other
studies or vocational areas
 Develops and assesses academic and
vocational English
 Supports Citizenship/settlement
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
Schools
FE/HE
Work-based
12
Doctorate
11
Masters
10
Honours Degree
10
9
Ordinary Degree
9
8
HND / HE Diploma
12
SVQ5
SVQ 4
HNC / HE Certificate
11
8
7
Advanced Higher
7
6
Higher
Higher
SVQ 3
6
5
Intermediate 2/Credit SG
SVQ 2
5
4
Intermediate 1/GeneralSG
SVQ 1
4
3
Access 3/Foundation SG
3
2
Access 2
2
1
Access 1
1
Benchmarking Project:
Table of Comparisons
SQA ESOL
CEF
IELTS
Approx levels
Cambridge
Higher
C1
6.5 - 7
CAE
Int 2
B2
5.0 – 5.5 – 6.0
FCE
Int 1
B1
3.5 – 4.0 – 4.5
PET
Access 3
A2
Approx 3.0
KET
Access 2
A1
N/A
N/A
SQA ESOL Assessment
Combination of Unit (Internal) and Course
(External) assessment.
 ‘Direct’, performance assessment for productive
skills (Speaking and Writing)
 Objective (selected response) assessment for
receptive skills (Listening and Reading)
Higher Statistics
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Entries A
B
C
Passes D
193
287
436
591
684
19
56
96
143
149
21
35
59
100
122
82
239
353
469
533
42
148
198
226
262
10
9
22
20
28
Progression to NC and HN Courses
“My life would be nothing without
ESOL. Because of ESOL I have
achieved an NC in Social Sciences
and an HNC in Social Sciences is
my next target. I also volunteered
for Glasgow’s Befriending service
and got a placement in Burtons. My
life has changed from a very basic
life to a more professional life.”
Sultan Alishire, aged 18, from Somalia, completed ESOL Units at
Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 before studying an NC in Social Sciences,
all at Anniesland College, Glasgow.
Progression to University
Higher ESOL Course confirmed by all
Scottish universities and Oxford
University as part of general entrance
requirements
Students should always be advised to
contact the admissions office at
universities to confirm the entry
requirements for their particular course.
Progression to University
“The speaking part of the
course is hard but it’s helped
me a lot.” Hermine Makangu,
age 16 from Congo.
Hermine
achieved
Higher
ESOL (A) and is studying for a
Law degree at Strathclyde
University
Benefitsto ESOL Learners
 Development of social, academic and
vocational language skills
 Raising attainment
 Recognition of achievement
 Increasing motivation
 Providing pathways and improving
progression
 Supporting routes to
Citizenship/settlement
www.sqa.org.uk/esol