Language learning guides

When a booking can be undone

A language course booked from a website, over the phone or through an app raises a common question: can the booking be cancelled if plans change? This article summarises Part 3 of the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, covering regulations 27 to 30, 36 and 37 as published on legislation.gov.uk. The Regulations extend across the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Legislation.gov.uk records pending amendments from the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 to some of the provisions, and a school’s own terms can give more generous rights than the Regulations. This article is general information, not legal advice.

Which bookings are covered (United Kingdom)

Regulation 27 says the cancellation provisions apply to distance and off-premises contracts between a trader and a consumer, subject to exceptions set out in the Regulations. A course booked online, by phone or through an app is typically a distance booking. A course booked in person at a school’s own premises falls outside that description, so its cancellation terms come from the school’s contract. Regulation 27 also excludes an off-premises contract where the consumer’s payment is not more than £42, and contracts for medicinal products, health care products and passenger transport services.

The right to cancel and the 14-day period (United Kingdom)

Under regulation 29, a consumer may cancel a distance or off-premises contract at any time in the cancellation period without giving a reason. Regulation 30 says that for service contracts, and for digital content not supplied on a tangible medium, the period ends at the end of 14 days after the day on which the contract is entered into. A consumer can also withdraw an offer to enter into a contract before it is finalised, without giving a reason and without liability.

Starting a course early (United Kingdom)

Regulation 36 covers services supplied during the cancellation period. A trader may begin the service before the period ends if the consumer makes an express request and, for an off-premises contract, makes it on a durable medium. Where a consumer cancels after the service has started following such a request, the consumer must pay a proportionate amount. The amount is calculated on the total contract price or, if the total price is excessive, on the market value of what was supplied. The consumer bears no cost if the trader failed to give the required cancellation or cost information, or if the service was not supplied in response to a consumer request. For most services the right to cancel is lost once the service is fully performed, if performance began after a compliant request and the consumer acknowledged that this would happen.

Self-paced and app-based courses (United Kingdom)

A self-paced course delivered by download or online access is digital content. Regulation 37 says the trader cannot begin supply of digital content before the 14-day period ends unless the consumer gives express consent and acknowledges that the right to cancel under regulation 29(1) will be lost. A consumer bears no cost for content supplied during the period if the consumer did not consent to supply beginning early, consented without acknowledging the loss of the right, or the trader failed to provide the required confirmation. Once supply has properly begun with consent and acknowledgement, the right to cancel is lost. This site’s article on apps versus courses compares the formats, and the self-paced apps and software page introduces them.

Exceptions to look for (United Kingdom)

Regulation 28 lists contracts for which there is no right to cancel. One exception, in paragraph 1(h), covers the supply of accommodation, transport of goods, vehicle rental, catering or services related to leisure activities, if the contract provides for a specific date or period of performance. Others include personalised goods and contracts concluded at public auction. Whether any element of a study-abroad package falls into an exception depends on the terms of the booking, so accommodation and tuition included in one contract are best checked line by line.

Practical steps

Before paying, a learner can check whether the booking is made at a distance, the school’s cancellation and refund terms, whether the start date falls inside the first 14 days, and whether access to materials begins immediately. Keeping the confirmation and the written request to start early gives a record of what was agreed. This site’s guides on choosing a language course and immersion and study abroad describe what to compare before booking.

Common questions

How long is the period for a service booked online? Regulation 30 says 14 days after the day on which the contract is entered into.

Does starting lessons early forfeit the right? A trader can begin only on the consumer’s express request, and the consumer then pays a proportion for what was supplied if cancelling. Full performance after a compliant request and acknowledgement ends the right.

Do the Regulations cover a class booked at the school desk? Regulation 27 covers distance and off-premises contracts, so an on-premises booking depends on the school’s terms.

The bottom line

Across the UK, a language course booked online or by phone can usually be cancelled within 14 days of the contract, but an early start at the learner’s express request means paying a proportion for lessons used, and the right can be lost once a service is fully performed or digital content has been supplied with consent and acknowledgement. Bookings made in person at a school fall outside these provisions, and exceptions such as accommodation for a specific date should be checked in a package.

Sources

• legislation.gov.uk, “The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, regulation 27 (Application of this Part)”
• legislation.gov.uk, “The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, regulation 28 (Exceptions to the right to cancel)”
• legislation.gov.uk, “The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, regulation 29 (Right to cancel)”
• legislation.gov.uk, “The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, regulation 30 (Cancellation period)”
• legislation.gov.uk, “The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, regulation 36 (Supply of service in cancellation period)”
• legislation.gov.uk, “The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, regulation 37 (Supply of digital content in cancellation period)”

Course length decides the route

A learner planning an English course in the UK first needs to know which visa route fits the length of the course. This article summarises the GOV.UK guide “Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)”, including its overview, eligibility and application pages, and the GOV.UK overview of the Standard Visitor route. UK immigration rules apply across the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The fees and figures below are those shown on GOV.UK in September 2026, and they can change. This article is general information, not immigration advice.

Three routes by course length (United Kingdom)

GOV.UK says the short-term study visa is for an English language course lasting longer than six months but not more than 11 months. If the course lasts six months or shorter, the guide says the learner needs a Visitor visa. If it lasts longer than 11 months, the learner needs a Student visa. GOV.UK directs anyone unsure to its “check which visa you need to study in the UK” tool.

Courses of up to six months: Standard Visitor (United Kingdom)

The Standard Visitor route allows study for courses up to six months, among other activities, and a Standard Visitor can usually stay in the UK for up to six months. Depending on nationality, a person must apply for a Standard Visitor visa before travelling, apply for an electronic travel authorisation that allows a visit of up to six months without a visa, or can visit for up to six months without either. A visitor must be able to show they will leave the UK at the end of the visit, can support themselves, can pay for a return or onward journey and will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits. Extra eligibility requirements apply to visits for study.

Courses of more than six and up to 11 months: short-term study visa (United Kingdom)

The short-term study visa allows a stay for the length of the course plus an extra 30 days, as long as the stay is no longer than 11 months. GOV.UK gives the following costs:

• a fee of £228 for the visa; and
• the healthcare surcharge, which GOV.UK says usually costs £776, paid as part of the online application.

Who can apply (United Kingdom)

The applicant must be 16 or older and must prove that:

• they have been accepted onto an English language course that lasts longer than six months and up to 11 months and includes no other subjects;
• the course is with an accredited institution;
• they have enough money to support themselves without working or help from public funds, or that relatives and friends can support and house them; and
• they can pay for a return or onward journey.

Applicants under 18 must also have arranged their travel and stay and have the consent of a parent or guardian.

Limits on the visa (United Kingdom)

GOV.UK lists what a short-term study visa holder cannot do. They cannot study on any other course or change their course while in the UK, study at a state-funded school, work or carry out any business, including paid or unpaid work, work experience or placements, extend the visa, bring family members or apply for most benefits or the State Pension.

Applying (United Kingdom)

Applications are made online before coming to the UK, and the earliest date is three months before travel. The application includes booking an appointment at a visa application centre to provide documents and prove identity, and the applicant takes their passport. GOV.UK says a decision usually takes three weeks once the online application, identity proof and documents are in, and a faster decision may be available for a fee. An application can be cancelled, but the fee is refunded only if UK Visas and Immigration has not started processing it.

Choosing a school

Because the visa requires an accredited institution, a learner should confirm that a prospective school is accredited and that the course matches the length and no-other-subjects conditions. The site’s guides on choosing a language course and immersion and study abroad programmes explain how format, duration and daily life vary, and the article on English requirements for UK visas covers routes where a test is required.

Common questions

Can a short-term study visa be extended? No. GOV.UK lists extending the visa among the things a holder cannot do.

Can the holder work part-time? No. GOV.UK says holders cannot work, including unpaid work, work experience or placements.

Is a course of exactly six months a visitor course? GOV.UK says a course of six months or shorter needs a Visitor visa, while the short-term study visa is for courses longer than six months.

The bottom line

For an English course in the UK, course length sets the visa. Up to six months falls under the Standard Visitor route, more than six and up to 11 months under the short-term study visa (£228 on GOV.UK’s page, plus a healthcare surcharge usually costing £776), and longer courses under the Student visa. The short-term visa requires an accredited institution and an English-only course, and it cannot be extended or combined with work.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa): Overview”
• GOV.UK, “Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa): Eligibility”
• GOV.UK, “Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa): Apply”
• GOV.UK, “Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor”

A state-run language pathway

Germany runs a standard language and civics programme for newcomers, the integration course, and it ends with two tests. This article summarises English-language pages published by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) on integration courses, their content and stages, the final examination and certificate, and rights and obligations. It concerns Germany. Entitlement, obligation and cost depend on a person’s residence status, which BAMF covers in separate pages, so the rules for a particular person need to be checked with BAMF or a migration advice service. This article is general information, not legal advice.

Structure of the course (Germany)

BAMF says each integration course consists of a language course and an orientation course. It states that the general integration course comprises 700 lesson units, of which the language course takes 600 lesson units, while special courses can run to 900 language lesson units, with up to 1,000 lessons in total. A fast-track course consists of 400 language lesson units. The orientation course takes 100 lesson units. Before the course begins the provider carries out an assessment test that helps decide which stage to start at and whether a special course would be useful. Courses are full-time as a general rule, and part-time provision can be offered in exceptional cases such as employment.

What the language course covers (Germany)

BAMF lists everyday themes such as work and career, basic and further training, raising children, shopping and consumption, leisure time and social interaction, health and hygiene, media use and housing. Learners also practise writing letters and emails in German, completing forms, making telephone calls and applying for jobs. The topics vary by course type, and a youth integration course includes topics of interest to young people such as applying for an apprenticeship.

The orientation course (Germany)

The orientation course follows the language course. BAMF says it covers the German legal system, history and culture, rights and obligations, forms of community life and values such as freedom of religion, tolerance and gender equality. It ends with the “Life in Germany” test.

The German test for immigrants, the DTZ (Germany)

The language course ends with the DTZ. BAMF says the “Zertifikat Integrationskurs” is awarded on an overall result of B1. The DTZ has a written and an oral part:

• the written part lasts 100 minutes and consists of listening and reading exercises, plus a short letter; and
• the oral part lasts about 15 minutes, in which the candidate introduces themselves and talks with the examiners and another candidate about specific topics.

The certificate records overall language skills at level B1 or A2, and a candidate who has not reached A2 receives a letter confirming the result instead. To reach B1 or A2, the candidate must reach that level in the speaking part and in at least one of the other two parts, “Hearing and Reading” or “Writing”. BAMF says this means participants in literacy courses, who usually do not reach B1, can still demonstrate A2. The content is based on the core curriculum for integration courses developed by the Goethe-Institut, and a sample test paper and online exercises are available.

The Life in Germany test (Germany)

The Life in Germany test takes place on a separate date after the orientation course. BAMF says each candidate receives a paper of 33 questions with four possible answers each, and has 60 minutes. To pass the test, at least 15 of the 33 questions must be answered correctly. BAMF adds that, under the Naturalisation Test Ordinance, at least 17 of 33 must be answered correctly to prove the knowledge required for naturalisation under the Nationality Act. The online test centre offers the 310 questions and a sample paper.

Retaking and refunds (Germany)

A participant who has not passed the language test at B1 after the whole integration course can be permitted by BAMF to repeat once by attending an additional 300 lessons, with the right to sit the language test once more free of charge. BAMF’s rights page adds that passing the final examination within two years of receiving the attendance certificate allows half of the money paid for the course to be refunded. Someone who has completed a literacy course and used up their lessons can apply to repeat a maximum of 300 language lessons once, paying €2.29 per lesson unless exempt from fees.

Rights and obligations (Germany)

Participants have the right to choose a course provider locally, unless BAMF allocates a course to someone obliged to attend. The provider must confirm the likely start date, and the course should start within six weeks of registration. Entitlement expires if the course is not started within one year of registering, or attendance is interrupted for more than a year, where the participant is responsible for the delay. Participants must attend regularly and take the final examination, and must pay a contribution before each stage unless exempt. An exemption should be applied for in good time, since it is only retrospectively possible for the first module.

Other German exams

Learners who want a general German qualification rather than the integration course can compare options in this site’s article on DELF, DELE and the Goethe-Zertifikat, and the guide to choosing a language course explains how format and goal fit together.

Common questions

Does the DTZ certify B1 for everyone? BAMF says the certificate records B1 or A2 depending on the result, and a candidate below A2 receives a letter instead.

How many questions must be right in the Life in Germany test? At least 15 of 33 to pass, and at least 17 of 33 for the naturalisation purpose BAMF describes.

Is the course full-time? BAMF says full-time is the general rule, with part-time courses in exceptional cases.

The bottom line

In Germany, the integration course combines a language course to B1 with a 100-lesson orientation course and ends with the DTZ language test and the Life in Germany test. BAMF describes a 100-minute written and 15-minute oral DTZ, retakes with 300 extra lessons and one free re-sit, and a naturalisation-linked pass mark of 17 of 33 on the civics test.

Sources

• Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), “Integration courses”
• Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), “The content and stages of the procedure”
• Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), “The final examination and the certificate”
• Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), “Rights and obligations”

English as part of the citizenship interview

Applicants for United States citizenship by naturalization take an English test as part of their interview, alongside a civics test. This article summarises the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) page “The Naturalization Interview and Test” and Chapter 2, “English and Civics Testing”, of Part E of Volume 12 of the USCIS Policy Manual. It concerns US federal naturalization requirements, which apply throughout the United States. It is general information, not immigration advice, and an applicant’s own circumstances determine which rules apply.

The three parts (United States)

USCIS says the English test has speaking, reading and writing components. The speaking component is not a separate exam. It is assessed by the officer during the eligibility interview on Form N-400, the application for naturalization. The Policy Manual says the applicant must generally understand and respond meaningfully to questions relevant to their naturalization eligibility. An applicant can ask for clarification, and minor errors do not prevent a pass.

Reading is a separate task. The applicant must read aloud one out of three sentences correctly, according to USCIS, and the Policy Manual says the reading must be without extended pauses and must convey the meaning of the sentence. Content words cannot be omitted or substituted.

Writing follows the same pattern. The applicant must write one of three sentences correctly, and the Policy Manual says that the officer must be able to understand what has been written. Spelling, capitalization and punctuation errors are acceptable if they do not obscure the meaning. Abbreviations are not permitted.

Vocabulary and study materials (United States)

USCIS says the study materials for the reading and writing tests focus on civics and history vocabulary. The sentences are therefore likely to draw on those themes, and learners of English preparing for the test can prepare for both the language and the subject matter together.

Two attempts (United States)

The Policy Manual says applicants receive two opportunities: an initial examination and a re-examination. USCIS says that a failed portion is retested between 60 and 90 days after the initial interview. Failing any portion after the two attempts results in denial of the application.

Exceptions for age and residence (United States)

The Policy Manual lists exceptions from the English requirement:

• an applicant aged 50 or over with 20 years as a lawful permanent resident is exempt from the English test, though the civics test is still required and an interpreter may be used; and
• an applicant aged 55 or over with 15 years as a lawful permanent resident receives the same exemption.

An applicant aged 65 or over with 20 years of lawful permanent residence receives specially designated civics test forms. A medical disability exception can be requested with Form N-648, which allows exemption from the English requirement, the civics requirement, or both.

The civics test that accompanies it (United States)

Both pages describe two versions of the civics test, and the version depends on when Form N-400 was filed. For applications filed before 20 October 2025, the 2008 test applies: an oral test of up to 10 questions drawn from 100, with 6 correct answers needed to pass. For applications filed on or after 20 October 2025, the 2025 test applies: 20 questions drawn from a bank of 128, with 12 correct answers needed. USCIS says the 2025 test can end in failure when 9 questions have been answered incorrectly, against 5 for the 2008 test. The English components are described in the same way for both versions.

Learning English for the test

Learners can practise the reading and writing sentences in the same context as the civics vocabulary, and speaking preparation matters because the interview itself is the speaking test. The site’s guides on choosing a language course, one-to-one and group learning and online live tutoring compare formats, and the piece on CEFR levels explains how levels are described in other systems.

Common questions

Is there a separate speaking exam? No. USCIS says speaking is assessed by the officer during the N-400 interview.

How many sentences must be right? One out of three for reading and one out of three for writing, according to USCIS.

Can the English test be waived? The Policy Manual lists age-and-residence exceptions and a medical disability exception using Form N-648.

Are abbreviations allowed in the writing test? The Policy Manual says abbreviations are not permitted.

What happens after a failed portion? USCIS says the failed portion is retested between 60 and 90 days after the initial interview, and the Policy Manual says failure after two attempts results in denial.

Can a reader pause while reading aloud? The Policy Manual says the sentence must be read without extended pauses and must convey its meaning.

The bottom line

In the United States, the naturalization English test assesses speaking during the N-400 interview, requires reading aloud one of three sentences and writing one of three dictated sentences, and allows two attempts, with retesting 60 to 90 days later. Age and residence exceptions and a medical disability route exist, and the civics test that accompanies it changed for applications filed on or after 20 October 2025.

Sources

• US Citizenship and Immigration Services, “The Naturalization Interview and Test”
• US Citizenship and Immigration Services, “USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part E, Chapter 2: English and Civics Testing”

The level depends on the visa

English requirements for UK visas are not one standard. They vary by route and, for some routes, by whether the application is a first one or an extension. This article summarises the GOV.UK guidance “English language requirement levels for immigration applications” from UK Visas and Immigration, which carries a 2026 Crown copyright notice, and the GOV.UK page “Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English”. Immigration rules apply across the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The guidance covers entry clearance and permission to stay, and the levels are expressed in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This article is general information, not immigration advice.

Required levels by route (United Kingdom)

The guidance table gives the following levels for entry clearance and for permission to stay:

• Family visa: A1 for entry clearance; A1 for a first permission to stay and A2 when applying to extend.
• Student: B2 for study at UK bachelors level or above; B1 for study below bachelors level.
• Skilled Worker: B2, except where the applicant’s most recent permission was as a Skilled Worker and was subject to a B1 requirement.
• Scale-up: B2, with the same exception for a previous B1 requirement as a Scale-up worker.
• High Potential Individual, Innovator Founder and T2 Minister of Religion: B2.
• Representative of an Overseas Business and family members of HM Armed Forces: A1.
• International Sportsperson: A1 where applying for more than 12 months.
• International Agreement (Temporary Work): B1.

The Skilled Worker change (United Kingdom)

The Skilled Worker page says an applicant must prove they can read, write, speak and understand English to at least B2. It says that a person who had the visa before 8 January 2026 and is applying to extend or update it needs B1 English and does not need to prove English again. Someone switching from the Health and Care Worker visa also does not need to provide proof again. Someone applying to switch from a different visa needs B2.

Because the guidance table shows different levels by route, an applicant changing route should check the row for the new route, not the old one.

Ways to prove English (United Kingdom)

The Skilled Worker page lists four ways of showing knowledge of English:

• a UK school qualification begun before the age of 18, namely a GCSE, an A Level, a Scottish National Qualification at level 4 or 5, or a Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English;
• a degree-level qualification taught in English and awarded by a UK institution, even if the study took place outside the UK;
• a degree taught in English and awarded outside the UK, for which an assessment from Ecctis is needed, which produces a code confirming equivalence to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and that it was taught in English; and
• passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) with an approved provider.

The page also says that a person who has already proved English in an earlier successful visa application may not have to prove it again.

Who is exempt (Skilled Worker route, United Kingdom)

The Skilled Worker page says a person does not need to prove English if a national of one of the listed countries or territories: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA. A doctor, dentist, nurse, midwife or vet who has already passed an English language assessment accepted by the relevant regulated professional body also does not need to prove it again, and vets may need to have passed an assessment with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Choosing a test and a course (United Kingdom)

GOV.UK says the SELT must be with an approved provider, so a test that is not on the approved list will not satisfy the requirement. This site explains one consequence in its article on why the Duolingo English Test is not accepted for UK visas. For a description of the level scale, the article on CEFR levels from A1 to C2 sets out what each band means, and the piece on English requirements for UK citizenship and visas at B1 covers the B1 route to settlement and citizenship. Learners preparing for a test can compare formats in the site’s guide to exam preparation courses.

Common questions

Is a GCSE in English enough for a Skilled Worker application? The page lists a UK GCSE begun under 18 as one way to prove English.

Does a nurse or doctor need a SELT? The page says a person who has passed an assessment accepted by their professional body does not need to prove English again.

Can a level from an earlier visa carry over? The page says proof from an earlier successful visa application may mean it does not have to be repeated.

The bottom line

UK Visas and Immigration sets the English level by visa route, from A1 for family, representative and armed forces routes to B2 for Student degree study, Skilled Worker, Scale-up, High Potential Individual and Innovator Founder applications. Since 8 January 2026 a first Skilled Worker application needs B2, while people extending an earlier visa may still need only B1. English can be proved through UK school qualifications, a UK degree, an Ecctis-assessed degree or an approved SELT.

Sources

• GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration, “English language requirement levels for immigration applications”
• GOV.UK, “Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English”

A route into languages that is not a traditional exam

Language qualifications in the United Kingdom are often assumed to mean a GCSE or a grade at the end of a timed exam. In Scotland there is a different option. The Modern Languages for Life and Work Awards, at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) levels 3 and 4, are ungraded awards aimed at learners of any age. This article summarises the qualification pages for the two levels published by Qualifications Scotland, whose site states it is working on a new website and shows references to both Qualifications Scotland and SQA during the transition. It covers Scotland’s qualification system and does not describe qualifications in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What the Awards cover

The level 3 page says the Award develops knowledge and skills in areas such as society, culture and employability, and that learners can specialise in one or two modern languages. It says the qualification covers communication, self-awareness, confidence, leadership and independent learning, and that it meets the principles of Curriculum for Excellence. The level 4 page uses the same description and lists ten languages: Cantonese, French, Gaelic (Learners), German, Italian, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Urdu.

Who they suit and how they are delivered

Qualifications Scotland says the Awards are open to all learners, regardless of age, academic experience or ability. It lists the groups they suit: S3 to S6 pupils, school leavers, college students, adult returners to education, trainees preparing for employment, employees studying as part of a continuing professional development programme, and people in employment who want to enhance their career prospects.

The qualification is available through schools, colleges, community organisations and volunteer-involving organisations. Entry is at the discretion of the centre, and prior learning in the subject is not essential, although the Award offers opportunities to build on earlier learning.

Structure

Each Award consists of three mandatory units worth 15 SCQF credit points in total. The units are Modern Languages for Life (6 SCQF credit points), Modern Languages for Work Purposes (6 points) and Building Own Employability Skills (3 points). At level 3 the group award code is GF0C 43, and at level 4 it is GF2H 44, with the units set at the corresponding SCQF level.

How learners are assessed

The pages say the Awards are not graded. Each unit specification sets out the evidence requirements. Evidence can be presented in any form appropriate to the contexts chosen for the assessment and the learner. It may be paper-based, such as responses to questions in English or in the target language, extended pieces of writing or folios, or recorded, whether oral, visual or electronic. Performance evidence must be supported by assessor observation checklists, oral questions and assessor records. Learners may also provide evidence through audio recordings, video diaries, blogs or other electronic means.

The absence of a grade and the flexibility of the evidence are the main differences from a conventional exam. A learner who is uncomfortable with timed written tests may find this format more accessible.

Who can deliver the Awards

Qualifications Scotland says schools are auto-approved to deliver the Awards. Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process, and centres without devolved authority need to come forward for approval through the organisation’s Business Development Team. It says assessors and verifiers must meet its general requirements for technical or occupational competence. The pages describe the Awards as having a wide potential market and say centres have flexibility to choose the delivery method that best suits their circumstances and learners.

Progression

The level 3 page lists progression to the same Award in one or two other modern languages, to the level 4 Award in the same language, to Modern Languages courses at SCQF level 3, and to Modern Languages for Work Purposes and Modern Languages for Life units at level 4. The level 4 page lists parallel routes to level 5 units and to other languages at level 4. Together, these routes show the Awards as a stepping stone, not an end point.

What to check before enrolling

Because entry is at the centre’s discretion, learners should ask the school, college or community organisation which languages it offers and how the units are delivered. The Awards are ungraded and are not a CEFR-based proficiency test, so learners who need an internationally recognised level, for example for study or immigration, should check the requirements of the receiving institution.

The bottom line

The Modern Languages for Life and Work Awards at SCQF levels 3 and 4 are ungraded, 15-credit qualifications open to learners of any age, offered through schools, colleges and community organisations in Scotland. They combine language learning with employability and allow flexible forms of evidence. They are a useful entry point, but learners who need a graded or externally benchmarked result should look at other qualifications.

Sources

• Qualifications Scotland (SQA), “Modern Languages for Life and Work SCQF level 3”
• Qualifications Scotland (SQA), “Modern Languages for Life and Work SCQF level 4”

A certificate designed for adult learners

Adults learning Irish in the Republic of Ireland, and abroad, need a way to show what they can do that does not depend on the school Leaving Certificate. Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) is one such system. This article summarises the TEG website, including its introduction, its FAQs and its page for the Civil Service. Most statements about TEG’s standing, such as being the first or only system of its kind or being recognised by the Department of Education and Skills, are TEG’s own claims and are attributed accordingly. The article concerns Ireland. Irish-language provision in Northern Ireland is covered separately on this site.

What TEG is

TEG describes itself as a series of general Irish-language proficiency examinations and qualifications for adult learners, and says it is administered by the Centre for Irish Language at Maynooth University. It says exams are offered at five levels: Bonnleibhéal 1 (A1), Bonnleibhéal 2 (A2), Meánleibhéal 1 (B1), Meánleibhéal 2 (B2) and Ardleibhéal 1 (C1). The levels are broadly based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and the exams assess speaking, listening, reading and writing.

TEG says candidates range from absolute beginners to fluent speakers, and gives examples that include adult evening-class learners, Irish tutors at a university, county council staff, journalists, teachers and students at a Canadian university. It says exams take place in ten centres in Ireland and four abroad, with exam dates and centres published for each year on its site.

Full and partial certification

The TEG FAQs say a candidate can sit the entire exam, covering listening, reading, writing and speaking, and be awarded full certification at that level, or can sit the oral exam only for partial certification. Marks for an oral-only exam are shown on the certificate of successful candidates. This suits learners whose main goal is spoken Irish, for example for work or family reasons.

The FAQs also state that each exam is independent, so a candidate does not have to pass A1 before sitting A2 and can choose whichever level is most suitable. TEG suggests that candidates talk to a teacher or TEG staff and use the syllabuses, sample papers and its online language test to judge the right level. It also says all oral exams are audio-recorded, not video-recorded.

Who can take it

According to the FAQs, anyone can sit a TEG exam, with no requirement to attend a particular course and no age restriction. That makes TEG usable by self-taught learners and by people who studied with different providers. TEG also offers an online language test, which its FAQs suggest candidates might take to get a general idea of their ability in the language before choosing a level. The test gives an indication only and is separate from the certificate exams. TEG also provides exam materials at each level, including syllabuses, exam guides, sample papers and answers, sample listening and oral exams, and chief examiner reports, which it says teachers are strongly advised to read.

Where TEG says it is recognised

TEG says its certification is recognised by the Department of Education and Skills. It states that the B2 level satisfies the entry requirement for undergraduate and postgraduate primary education courses in teacher training colleges, which it presents as an option for people who lack the required Leaving Certificate Irish grade. It also says a pass at B1 can satisfy the Irish requirement for matriculation for candidates presenting a qualification other than the Leaving Certificate, such as the International Baccalaureate or the French Baccalauréat, whose education has been in the Republic of Ireland.

TEG further says that a number of organisations in Ireland specify TEG certification as a basic requirement for employees or use TEG exams to assess applicants, and that this is particularly relevant since the Official Languages Act 2003. Anyone relying on TEG for a particular job or course should confirm the requirement directly with the employer or institution, because these statements are TEG’s own summary.

Its Civil Service page states that TEG collaborates with OneLearning and Gaelchultúr to provide Irish-language tests to civil service employees, with exams run twice a year from A1 to C1.

Choosing between TEG and a general language course

TEG is an exam and certificate, not a course. TEG’s exam-material page says the official TEG logo should not be used to advertise Irish courses, including courses that prepare for TEG or that follow TEG syllabuses, so a course that advertises itself with the TEG logo is not following TEG’s stated rule. Learners can instead check that a course is based on the published syllabus for the level they need.

The bottom line

TEG is a five-level, CEFR-based certificate for adult learners of Irish, run from Maynooth University, with full or oral-only certification and no age limit or course requirement. Its stated recognition, including by the Department of Education and Skills for teacher-training entry, comes from TEG itself and should be confirmed with the relevant employer or college. It complements classes rather than replacing them.

Sources

• Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge, “Welcome to Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge”
• Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge, “FAQs”
• Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge, “TEG & the Civil Service”
• Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge, “Exam Material”

A free government program, not a commercial course

People who arrive in Australia with limited English often assume they must pay for a language school. The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is a separate option: a government service that provides English tuition at no cost to eligible people. This article summarises the Department of Home Affairs page “About the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)”. The program is run by the Australian Government and applies across Australia. It does not cover other English courses such as commercial schools or university programs. Eligibility depends on visa status and can change, so the department’s page should be checked directly.

What the program is

Home Affairs describes the AMEP as a free service to help eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants improve their English language skills and settle into Australia. The department says learning English will help people take part more fully in life in Australia, learn new skills to help them work and make friends.

While in an AMEP class, free childcare is available for children under school age, and the service provider helps families find out about it. People who receive Centrelink payments can earn points toward their mutual obligation requirements by learning English with the AMEP, and job seekers can be referred by their provider if they are in Workforce Australia.

Who can join

For people aged 18 or over, the department says they can join the AMEP if they speak little or no English and are a permanent resident, hold an eligible temporary visa, or are a citizen who held an eligible visa in the past. People aged 15 to 17 may be able to join and are told to talk to a provider.

The page directs readers to a separate list of eligible visas, so the visa held should be checked against that list before enrolling.

Time limits depend on the visa start date

The department says the eligible visa start date decides how much time a person has to join and learn English. If the visa started on or before 1 October 2020, the person can stay in the AMEP until they reach a vocational level of English, with no time limits for starting and finishing. If the eligible visa started after 1 October 2020, there are limits from the visa start date: the person must register with an AMEP provider within six months, start the course within 12 months and complete it within five years. The page adds that in some cases a person may be allowed to register later or stay in the program longer, and advises talking to the provider.

The difference matters for planning. A recent arrival who delays enrolment while looking for work could pass the six-month registration window, so registering early is the safer course.

Learning options

Face-to-face AMEP classes may include full-time, part-time, evening and weekend options, and are offered at around 300 locations across Australia, in major cities and regional areas. A volunteer tutor can also provide help. Learners can study remotely with a teacher’s support through distance learning, or learn at their own level for free through AMEPOnline or the program’s app on the App Store or Google Play.

The department also runs a Volunteer Tutor Scheme, which asks volunteers to support a migrant or humanitarian entrant for one to two hours a week, with free training. It says employers can get involved by offering work placements or hosting English classes for their staff.

Getting information in other languages

Fact sheets about the AMEP are available in 53 languages, according to the department, and the program can be contacted by telephone on the Department of Home Affairs enquiries line from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call. The department also promotes AMEP promotional flyers in many languages for sharing with family and friends who may be eligible.

Other services for people settling in Australia

The same page says that people settling permanently in Australia can use free document translation, provided by the Australian Government to support participation in employment, education and community engagement. It also points to the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National), which provides interpreting services for people who do not speak English.

Comparing the AMEP with other options

For those who qualify, the AMEP is likely to be the first option to check because of its cost and its childcare provision. A paid course might still suit someone who is not eligible, who has already reached the vocational level, or who needs preparation for a specific test. A person who needs a particular exam result should check what the provider offers, or look at other courses.

The bottom line

The Adult Migrant English Program gives eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants free English tuition in Australia, with free childcare while in class and several study formats. Time limits depend on when the eligible visa started, and people whose visas started after 1 October 2020 have to register within six months. Eligible people should contact an AMEP provider as early as they can.

Sources

• Department of Home Affairs (Australia), “About the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)”

Language results are a central part of an Express Entry profile

Many people search for a language course in Canada because a test result is a requirement for federal skilled immigration through Express Entry. This article summarises the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) page “Express Entry: Language test results”, which the page shows as last updated on 22 June 2026, and the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks’ description of the benchmarks. It applies to Canada’s federal Express Entry system. Other immigration streams, provincial programmes and citizenship applications have their own language rules and are outside the scope of this article. Requirements change, so the IRCC page should be checked before booking a test.

The approved tests

IRCC lists five tests for Express Entry. For English, they are CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. For French, they are TEF Canada and TCF Canada. The page notes that the IELTS option is the General Training version and that the One Skill Retake is not accepted. Each of the tests measures four abilities: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Applicants must book their test with an agency approved by IRCC and pay the costs themselves, then enter the results in their Express Entry profile. Results from other bodies or test versions are not accepted for this purpose.

How long results last

IRCC states that test results must be less than two years old when a candidate completes their Express Entry profile and again when they submit their application for permanent residence. A test taken too early can therefore expire before an application is submitted, which matters for anyone who takes a course and test well ahead of applying.

What CLB and NCLC mean

IRCC assesses proficiency using the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English and the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French. The Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks describes the CLB as a descriptive scale of language ability in English as a second language, written as 12 benchmarks along a continuum from basic to advanced, reflecting the progression of knowledge and skills among adult learners.

The Centre is equally clear about what the CLB are not. It says they are not an assessment, not a curriculum, not tied to any specific instructional method, and not a description of discrete elements such as grammar structures or vocabulary items. They are a national standard for planning curricula and a framework of reference for learning, teaching, programming and assessing adult English as a second language in Canada. The scores from the approved tests are converted to benchmark levels for immigration purposes.

The Centre adds that the CLB and NCLC are recognised as the official Canadian standards for describing, measuring and recognising the language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants, and that they were developed by the Centre but remain the property of IRCC. It also says the benchmarks give labour market associations, licensing bodies and employers a way to reference the language requirements of professions and trades to the standard.

For learners, the Centre says the benchmarks give a basis for planning language learning, setting or adjusting goals and monitoring progress, and that a shared national standard helps with recognition by professional organisations and licensing bodies across Canada.

A note on French test results

The IRCC page includes a specific note for TEF Canada. It says that results from tests taken between 11 December 2023 and 6 May 2024 required a profile update because of a recalibration of the scoring, and that applicants with such results must use the “equivalence ancien score” values. Anyone holding an older TEF Canada result should read that note before using it.

Programme minimums

IRCC sets minimum benchmark levels by programme. For the Canadian Experience Class, the page gives CLB 7 for jobs in TEER categories 0 and 1 and CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3. For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, it gives a minimum of CLB 7 for the first official language, and CLB 5 for the second where one is claimed. For the Federal Skilled Trades Program, it gives CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing.

Because these thresholds and the points attached to language results are set by the government and can be changed, applicants should read the current IRCC page rather than relying on an earlier summary.

Choosing a preparation course

A course aimed at an approved test is sensible only if it prepares for the exact test that will be booked, since the formats of CELPIP, IELTS General Training and PTE Core differ. Learners can check which of the five tests suits their language and situation, and book with an approved agency once their preparation is complete, within the two-year window.

The bottom line

Express Entry accepts five approved language tests, with results measured against the CLB for English and the NCLC for French and valid for two years. The benchmarks themselves are a standard for describing ability, not a test or a course. Anyone planning a course should check the programme minimum that applies to them on the current IRCC page and time the test so that the result is still valid at application.

Sources

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, “Express Entry: Language test results”
• Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks, “On CLB”

An award, not a national qualification

Students and parents in the United States often meet the Seal of Biliteracy as a line on a graduation certificate or transcript. It is easy to mistake it for a national language qualification, which it is not. This article summarises the Seal of Biliteracy website’s own description of the award and its implementation guidelines. It applies to the United States, where the standard is set state by state, and it does not describe any equivalent in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. It is general information.

What the Seal is

The Seal of Biliteracy website describes it as an award given by a school, school district or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. It says the award was designed to be given by a district or state, although an individual school site or school programme may also choose to implement it.

The site gives three stated purposes: to encourage students to pursue biliteracy, to honour the skills students attain, and to provide evidence of skills that can be attractive to employers and to college admissions offices. The site displays a map that classes states as having an approved state seal, as considering one, as at an early stage, or as having none yet, so coverage is uneven.

Who sets the standard

The implementation guidelines for state education agencies say that in most states the state education agency sets the criteria for the Seal and the required or allowed implementation options, based on directives from the state legislature or state board of education. A separate page on equity states that the actual standard is determined independently by each state and, in some states, by the local municipality or school district.

The consequence is that a Seal earned in one state is not automatically equivalent to a Seal from another. The guidelines encourage state agencies to collaborate to establish interstate recognition and point out that reciprocal agreements already exist in other areas, such as teacher certification. They describe this as an encouragement, not a current guarantee.

The proficiency levels

For languages other than English, the guidelines say students should demonstrate at least Intermediate Mid on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. The equity page reports that the level most states currently require ranges from Intermediate Low to Advanced Low, with Intermediate Mid and Intermediate High the most common. Some states have established more than one level, and the guidelines suggest that states consider a two-tier Seal with a higher option in the Advanced range, particularly for bilingual or dual-language programmes.

The guidelines also say that both native and non-native speakers should provide comparable evidence across all modes of communication, in both social and academic contexts. That is a notable feature: the target is what a learner can do in the language, not how much they know about it.

Evidence that can be used

The guidelines list several routes to demonstrate proficiency. Nationally available tests named include the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, STAMP4S, AAPPL, ALIRA, the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI and OPIc) and Reading and Writing Proficiency Tests. They also mention tribal language assessments and a signed language proficiency interview. Portfolios are recommended as a way to record performance, with LinguaFolio given as an example. For English, proficiency may be shown through high school graduation requirements or a validated test of proficiency for English learners. For other languages, the guidelines say states determine which assessments are acceptable, requiring proficiency on a validated test.

The guidance emphasises equity. It warns that requiring only formal or external assessments may disadvantage some populations or language communities when no assessment is available or affordable, and recommends offering more than one way to show the required level.

What the Seal does not tell you

The Seal certifies a level reached at the point of high school graduation according to a state or district standard. It does not by itself say which test was used or which ACTFL level was reached, since those vary between states. It is not a substitute for a standardised exam in the way that a certificate from a testing body is, and the website does not present it as one. For someone applying to a university or employer, the underlying evidence, such as an AP score or an ACTFL-based assessment, may say more than the seal itself.

The site says in its guidance that the Seal is relevant to admissions offices and employers, but it does not state that any particular institution must recognise it, and the guidelines call for postsecondary recognition to be developed rather than assumed.

Practical points for families comparing language courses

Families comparing language courses in the United States can check three things: whether the state has an approved Seal, what level it requires, and which assessments it accepts. If a course prepares students for AP or an ACTFL-based test, that evidence may count toward the Seal in some states. Adult learners are outside the Seal’s scope, since the award is tied to high school graduation, and they are better served by the standalone tests and certificates covered elsewhere on this site.

The bottom line

The Seal of Biliteracy is a school, district or state award for students who reach proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. Its guidelines recommend a minimum of Intermediate Mid on the ACTFL scale for non-English languages, but each state sets its own standard, and the states currently differ. It is a useful record of achievement within a state, but its value elsewhere depends on the underlying evidence and on how the receiving institution treats it.

Sources

• The Seal of Biliteracy, “The Seal of Biliteracy”
• The Seal of Biliteracy, “Level of Language Proficiency Required”
• The Seal of Biliteracy, “Evidence of Language Proficiency Required”
• The Seal of Biliteracy, “Equity and Access to Opportunity to Earn the Seal of Biliteracy”
• The Seal of Biliteracy, “Implementation Guidelines for State Education Agencies (SEAs)”