Citizenship Preparation

Thu, 01/14/2016 - 10:00

New Settlement and Naturalisation rules 28th October 2013

Since then, unless exempt, all applicants for settlement or naturalisation as a British citizen must meet the knowledge of language and life in the UK (KoLL) requirement :

· By demonstrating competence in English at level B1 or ESOL Entry Level 3

· By passing the Life in the UK Test

Important changes in effect from 5^th April 2015:

Tests offered by High Street and Online providers are no longer valid. Do not waste your money unless they meet the following criteria.

Cambridge or RSA Entry3/B1 ESOL tests taken after 6^th April 2015 are no longer valid.

Tests that were valid before 6^th April, taken before 6^th April 2015 remain valid only until November 2015.

The list of recognized tests has changed also. Only tests taken at a secure centre will be acceptable. They are valid only for 2 years.

The local test centre for RMC is in Birmingham.

The test is a 10 minute, one-on-one Speaking and Listening assessment. The Trinity college web-site below offers guidance and illustrations of what to expect.

The minimum qualifications are shown in italics.

GESE Grade 5 Test; Trinity College, London: Cost of test £150

Trinity SELT Centre

Lonsdale House,

52 Blucher Street,

Birmingham,

B1 1QU

To book a test visit:

http://www.trinitycollege.com/site/?id=3218&utm_source=jump&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=selt

For recognized qualifications go here: http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/Qualification : Search under “English for Speakers of Other Languages, Entry Level”

The following groups are exempt from the need to show a formal speaking and listening qualification:

• Nationals of “majority English speaking countries”:

Antigua and Barbuda	Guyana
Australia	Jamaica
The Bahamas	New Zealand
Barbados	St Kitts and Nevis
Belize	St Lucia
Canada	St Vincent and the Grenadines
Dominica	Trinidad and Tobago
Grenada	The United States of America

• Those who have obtained a degree (equivalent to a Bachelor degree, NARIC) taught in English.

But both will have to pass the Life in the UK test to demonstrate their knowledge of life in the UK.

Children under 18 and individuals aged 65 or older are also exempt from the KoLL requirement.

If you passed the Life in the UK test before 28th October, but apply for naturalisation after that date, you will need to satisfy the new knowledge of English requirement and might need to take a speaking and listening exam.

Study materials

The test is based on 'Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents, published by the Stationery Office (TSO) in 2013, available from WH Smith and Waterstones. This is the only official source for test candidates.

Also available: “Life in the United Kingdom: Official Practice Questions and Answers”, TSO, £7.99, offers over 400 questions, randomly covering all sections of the “Guide for New Residents”. This is good for final preparation.

HOW WE CAN HELP

RMC offers FREE workshops, each lasting up to 2 hours and followed by online practice where it is wanted. We take the preparation one bite-sized piece at a time! All sessions are accompanied by notes. A free audio CD will be available soon.

Workshops are held On Thursdays from 11:00 am. at RMC. Call 01902 311554 to reserve a place.

Download the course materials at the foot of this page.

Some clients choose to go it alone. Use our materials. Contact andy@rmcentre.org.uk with the Subject “Life in UK test help” for a resource list.

Useful websites

We also recommend a number of free websites:

UKBA Official site , where you can book your test and take the official practice test.

http://www.uk-citizenship-test.com/practicetest-2013.html

Easy to use and review your answers. Tells you how many questions you have corrects- so you can see where you went wrong!

http://www.theuktest.com/life-in-the-uk-test/1

Easy to use and great learning psycholgy - instant feedback right or wrong. Contains 41 Tests or 24 questions each.

http://www.lifeintheuk.org/ a site where you have to register - free. Offers the text of the Guide to New Residents as well as tests by chapter and practice tests.

https://lifeintheuktests.co.uk/life-in-the-uk-test-1/ Free practice tests prepared by Edinburgh University.

Going it alone

"ESOL with Citizenship"has now been abandoned

You must take separate assessments.

Further help

Besides helping clients in preparations for the test, we also assist them once they passed the ‘Life in the UK’ test by filling in naturalisation forms for them and their dependants, booking the ceremony, filling in the passport application forms and registering for voting.

Our partners

AWARDS

The Guardian Charity Awards Winner 2016

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The South Staffordshire Medical Foundation Award Winner 2016

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DfEE Exceptional Achievement Award 2001

For 'in recognition of your outstanding contribution to your community'.