ESOL For Citizenship Tel. 0207-247-2959   Email: esol@bsgs.org.uk

Are you an immigrant who wants to apply for British Citizenship or Indefinite leave to remain?

If you wish to apply for citizenship in Britain or Indefinite leave to remain, you need to demonstrate your knowledge of life in the United Kingdom as well as proving that your speaking and listening skills are adequate to cope with everyday life.

Depending upon your level of English, there are two ways to prove this:

• By taking combined ESOL and Citizenship Classes (in particular Speaking & Listening exams at Entry 1,2 or 3).
• By taking the Life in the UK Test.

Are you a SPOUSE who needs the A1* qualification for your VISA?

If you wish to apply for a spouse visa, you need to demonstrate your knowledge of the English language by gaining an A1 qualification to submit with your visa application.

*A1 is the minimum requirement; if your level is higher than this, you will undertake the course at the appropriate level for you.

How BSGS College Can Help:

ESOL with Citizenship Classes

All students are assessed by an experienced teacher at the enrollment session. BSGS College offers combined English Language (ESOL) with Citizenship Classes. These are for those students who have a standard of English below Entry 3. If you are not sure what your level of English is, an assessment can be given by a teacher from BSGS College at one of the enrolment sessions (see below). They will then advise you about your level and, if appropriate, suggest a suitable class.

The class will help you to:

• Improve your English
• Prepare you for the ESOL Skills for Life qualification in Speaking and Listening
• Learn more about life in the UK in order to facilitate effective integration. Topics cover materials such as:
• A general history of the United Kingdom
• Immigration issues
• Gender-issues; in particular the changing role of women; equal rights and opportunities
• Ethnic diversity
• The Christian religion; history of the Church; customs and traditions; secularism etc.
• The British Constitution; the Monarchy and the government (central and local)
• Rights and responsibilities
• Everyday needs such as housing, local services, banks and credit, insurance, finding a doctor, schools and education, training facilities and centres, travel and transport, driving, identity documents etc.
• Employment issues; equal rights and discrimination; tax; childcare etc.

After you have attended this course for at least 120 hours and have gained the Skills for Life Qualification, the College will provide a letter which can be presented to the Home Office in support of this achievement.
Please note that Home Office regulations state that a minimum of 20 hours needs to be taught, and is in some cases sufficient.