LanguageCert International ESOL – CEFR Levles B1, B2, C1 & C2 (6 Months)
ESOL Qualifications
ESOL International Qualifications are designed for candidates who are not native speakers of English and who wish to achieve a high-quality qualification in English that is globally available and internationally recognised. They are designed to reference the descriptions of language proficiency in the Common European Framework Reference for Languages (CEFR). The levels in the CEFR have been mapped to the levels in the Regulated Qualifications Framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (see Pathways to Proficiency: the alignment of language proficiency scales for assessing competence in English Language DFES / QCA, 2003). All examination levels (A1-C2) are aimed at adult candidates (16+) and may be used to demonstrate language proficiency for academic, vocational or professional purposes.
International ESOL Qualifications
This range of qualifications offers a communicative approach to the testing of Listening, Reading and Writing at six levels. The names used for each level of the LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications and each level’s correspondence to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and UK national levels are shown in the table below.
Note: London School of Business and Computing only offers CEFR Levels B1, B2, C1, C2.
Mastery level. LanguageCert International ESOL Qualification Levels |
Corresponding CEFR Levels |
Equivalent UK (England and Wales) national levels |
Preliminary |
A1 Breakthrough |
Entry 1 |
Access |
A2 Waystage |
Entry 2 |
Achiever |
B1 Threshold |
Entry 3 |
Communicator |
B2 Vantage |
Level 1 |
Expert |
C1 Effective Operational Proficiency |
Level 2 |
Mastery |
C2 Mastery |
Level 3 |
Introduction to International ESOL
The aim of the LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications is to demonstrate a candidate’s ability to communicate using the English language across the CEFR levels from A1 (Entry 1) to C2 (Level 3).
The LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications offer a comprehensive test of Listening, Reading and Writing skills in English. The tasks in the examinations are designed to test the use of English in real-life situations. The ESOL series of graded examinations provides ‘steps up the ladder’ of proficiency and can motivate candidates who are attending courses over a long period to continue their studies. They are also suitable for candidates attending short courses in English. The LanguageCert International ESOL (Speaking) qualifications are also suitable for those who need to demonstrate that they have met the required level of English by passing a test with a UK Home Office approved Secure English Language Testing (SELT) provider.
These qualifications and associated examinations have been mapped to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Who are the LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications intended for?
The overall objective of the LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications is to provide candidates with a qualification that they can use where the ability to speak, write and understand verbal and written English is required. The qualifications are suitable for:
- non-native speakers of English worldwide
- young people or adults attending an English course either in the UK or overseas
- students learning English as part of their school or college curriculum
- people needing English for their everyday or working life
- learners who require externally recognised certification of their command of the English language
- those who are attending courses over a period and require a series of graded examinations which provide steps up the ladder of English language proficiency
- learners attending short courses in English
- visa applicants who need to demonstrate that they have met the required level of English by passing a test with a UK Home Office approved Secure English Language Testing (SELT) provider.
Entry Requirements
- There are no other qualifications that a candidate must achieve prior to taking a LanguageCert International ESOL qualification.
- There are no prior learning requirements that candidates must achieve/have prior to taking the LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications, however it is important that centres offer candidates the most appropriate LanguageCert International ESOL qualification, depending on each candidate’s ability and needs.
Levels and duration of the exam
The levels chart below shows the six levels of the International ESOL (Listening, Reading and Writing) qualifications and the duration of each associated examination. All examinations test listening, reading and writing skills. Examination Levels |
Qualification Titles |
Duration for Listening |
Duration for Reading and Writing |
A1 Preliminary (Entry 1) |
LanguageCert Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 1) (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Preliminary A1) |
about 20 minutes |
1 hour 20 minutes |
A2 Access (Entry 2) |
LanguageCert Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 2) (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Access A2) |
about 20 minutes |
1 hour 20 minutes |
B1 Achiever (Entry 3) |
LanguageCert Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 3) (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Achiever B1) |
about 30 minutes |
2 hours 10 minutes |
B2 Communicator (Level 1) |
LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Communicator B2) |
about 30 minutes |
2 hours 10 minutes |
C1 Expert (Level 2) |
LanguageCert Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Expert C1) |
about 30 minutes |
2 hours 40 minutes |
C2 Mastery (Level 3) |
LanguageCert Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Mastery C2) And LanguageCert Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Mastery C2) (SELT) |
about 30 minutes |
2 hours 40 |
Descriptions of competence at each level
The levels chart below shows the six levels of the International ESOL (Listening, Reading and Writing) qualifications and the duration of each associated examination. All examinations test listening, reading and writing skills. Examination Levels |
Qualification Titles |
Duration for Listening |
Duration for Reading and Writing |
A1 Preliminary (Entry 1) |
LanguageCert Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 1) (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Preliminary A1) |
about 20 minutes |
1 hour 20 minutes |
A2 Access (Entry 2) |
LanguageCert Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 2) (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Access A2) |
about 20 minutes |
1 hour 20 minutes |
B1 Achiever (Entry 3) |
LanguageCert Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 3) (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Achiever B1) |
about 30 minutes |
2 hours 10 minutes |
B2 Communicator (Level 1) |
LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Communicator B2) |
about 30 minutes |
2 hours 10 minutes |
C1 Expert (Level 2) |
LanguageCert Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Expert C1) |
about 30 minutes |
2 hours 40 minutes |
C2 Mastery (Level 3) |
LanguageCert Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Mastery C2) And LanguageCert Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (Mastery C2) (SELT) |
about 30 minutes |
2 hours 40 |
For further details about the course, please visit Language Cert.