Gateway Qualifications has been chosen by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as the sole Awarding Organisation for the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
This means that, from 1st April 2019, all ESOL qualifications taken within MoJ prisons in England must be done with Gateway Qualifications.
Gateway Qualifications has delivered ESOL for over 15 years and has extensive experience working with providers in secure and community settings. Our offender learning offer now includes ESOL, English and maths, employability, vocational and personal development qualifications, as well as a professional development selection for staff CPD.
Ideal for the secure environment
Our flexibly designed qualifications are ideal for the secure environment as they have been developed with accessibility at the core to ensure that all learners are able to fulfil their potential. They can also be embedded within vocational content, enabling learners to demonstrate their English skills whilst learning or participating in a practical skill. Support materials providing examples of activities which support embedded learning are provided.
Gateway Qualifications’ personalised service and excellent customer care also ensures that learners are not disadvantaged if they move between prisons mid-course and makes the process as simple as possible for the learning providers too.
Inclusive approach to assessment
Nearly one third of prisoners self-identify on initial screening as having a learning difficulty and/or disability so using Gateway Qualifications’ ESOL qualifications will benefit prison education providers as the qualifications minimise the need for reasonable adjustments/special considerations through an inclusive approach to assessment for all learners. Where reasonable adjustments and special consideration are required, Centres can authorise these for internally marked assessments (Entry Level 1 to Level 1) with applications to Gateway Qualifications only required for externally marked assessments at Level 2.
Choosing ESOL qualifications
To help you choose the most appropriate qualification pathway for learners for whom English is a second (or even third or fourth) language we have put together this guide:
Why ESOL qualifications make sense for non-native English speakers
The full list of ESOL Qualifications approved by the Ministry of Justice for delivery under the contract is:
Reading
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Reading) (Entry 1)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Reading) (Entry 2)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Reading) (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Reading)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Reading)
Writing
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Writing) (Entry 1)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Writing) (Entry 2)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Writing) (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Writing)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Writing)
Speaking and Listening
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Speaking and Listening) (Entry 1)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Speaking and Listening) (Entry 2)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Speaking and Listening) (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Speaking and Listening)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Award In ESOL Skills for Life (Speaking and Listening)
Pre-ESOL
Certificates in ESOL
Once a learner has successfully completed all three components, they will be awarded a certificate in ESOL Skills for Life at no additional charge. Certificates are awarded at the level of the lowest achieved component.
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Certificate In ESOL Skills for Life (Entry 1)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Certificate In ESOL Skills for Life (Entry 2)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Certificate In ESOL Skills for Life (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Certificate In ESOL Skills for Life
- Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate In ESOL Skills for Life
On these pages we’ve pulled together a collection of guidance and articles designed to help you deliver smoothly in the prison context.
Webinar for administrators
This webinar is for administrators and those responsible for registering and claiming. Joe from our Customer Excellence team offers clear and informative guidance on admin tasks related to our ESOL qualifications.
Including:
- the registration process
- our newly implemented Direct Entry of Results feature
- how to access the assessment papers for Entry and Level 1
- how to book Level 2 assessments.
This is the perfect chance to familiarise yourself with our processes for those of you who may be new to Gateway Qualifications and for those of you who just want a refresher!
Case Study
Discover how HMP Bronzefield successfully run Gateway Qualifications’ ESOL provision, resulting in progression and employability.
Delivering an ESOL qualification that adapts to learners personal and environmental needs
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the most common questions we’ve been asked about running ESOL recently are answered below.