The information below relates to Trinity’s ESOL Skills for Life in-person speaking and listening exams undertaken at registered exam centres.
It is designed for centre representatives, exam co-ordinators, administrators, supervisors, invigilators, stewards and teachers who would like to find out more about:
The ESOL Skills for Life Centre Best Practice Guidebook provides all the information needed to administer and run Skills for Life and Step 1 and Step 2 exams.
Ensure your exam room set-up adheres to our guidelines.
The format and administration of the ESOL Skills for Life exams is in line with the VCRF framework (2020). From December 2020, the adaptations below are applicable to both online and face-to-face exams as appropriate:
Candidates will select an appropriate visual prompt from the online bank of photographs provided by Trinity. During the exam, they will inform the examiner which picture they have chosen, and the examiner will display it on the screen. The bank of visual prompts for candidates to prepare is available to view here
At Level 2, candidates will use the Trinity template provided below to make a note of the key points of their presentation as bullet points. Just before the exam starts, the candidate (or centre staff) should type or cut and paste the bullet points into the Zoom chat box. Download the template.
Two candidates participate in the Component 2, Group Discussion
Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs)
In the unlikely event of future extensive lockdowns, centres are reminded that evidence of learning that meets the stipulated criteria would be required in any future application of TAGS.
Before the exam, centres should ensure that all candidates are aware of Trinity’s Candidate Identity (ID) Policy.
For all exams, candidates must be made aware of the Notice to Candidates. There is a Notice to Candidates for Speaking and Listening and a Notice to Candidates for Reading and Writing.
Remember to tell candidates:
They cannot bring mobile phones, laptops or other devices into the Speaking and Listening exam room to support Task 1.
As a registered exam centre, you should ensure that all staff involved in the preparation and conduct of UK ESOL exams are completely familiar with, and ensure your centre complies with, Trinity policies and procedures. These policies and procedures are outlined in the following documents and on our website:
When booking, please specify the date, the level to be taken, and the time of exams.
Step-by-step guidance on using Trinity Online to book your exam sessions can be found on our Portal Help page.
All Trinity exams have closing dates by when all entries and payments must be made. Details of booking deadlines in the UK and Ireland can be found in the table below:
Module
Booking deadline
Speaking and Listening
21 days before the exam date
Reading
21 days before the exam date
Writing
21 days before the exam date
Exam fees must be paid in full on or before the closing date. Surcharges will apply for late session bookings and late candidate entries.
For candidates who require any adjustments to their exam or would simply like to make the examiner aware of a disability or health condition, please complete the form available on our Special Needs Provision page for English language exams and send it to Trinity at the same time of exam entry, along with appropriate supporting evidence, if required, at least 28 days before the exam.
Once results have been issued re-sits can be booked immediately for the next available session subject to the usual booking notice.
You will usually receive results and certificates in the following timeframes:
Module
Results
Certificates
Speaking and Listening
2 - 4 weeks
4 weeks
Reading
4 weeks
6 weeks
Writing
4 weeks
6 weeks
Learn more about ESOL Skills for Life results and certificates.
See the dedicated section of the website to find out more about Trinity's results review service, re-marks and appeals.
Please familarise yourself with our additional considerations for centre representatives in light of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and contagious illnesses
For administration and general support for Trinity’s ESOL Skills for Life exams in the UK, please contact your named Trinity coordinator who is your primary point of contact for exam arrangements.
Please also see our frequently asked questions.
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