Trinity’s Integrated Skills in English (ISE) exams are designed for candidates who are not native speakers of English and who wish to achieve a high quality, internationally recognised qualification in English that is available and recognised worldwide.

ISE assesses all four language skills — speaking, listening, reading and writing and has been designed to correspond to the descriptions of language proficiency in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) developed by the Council of Europe (Language Policy Division). The exam is set in the educational domain within the learning training context where the aim is to acquire specific knowledge and skills.

The intended candidates are young people or adults, typically at school or college, who are using English as a second or foreign language as part of their studies to gain access to further education contexts like diplomas, degrees or qualifications that are relevant to their professional development.

The ISE exams are regulated by Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) in England, CCEA Regulation in Northern Ireland and by Qualifications Wales as International ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) qualifications.

The intended ISE candidate is a young person or adult, typically at secondary school or college, who is using English as a second or foreign language as part of their studies to develop their skills and improve their knowledge of a range of subject areas.

Students do not need to have taken any exams prior to taking ISE. Entry for a higher level of ISE does not require candidates to have passed lower levels, and candidates may enter for the exam when they feel they are ready for their target level.

Qualification Title: TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 1) (ISE) (A1).

Duration: 12 weeks

Learning Outcomes:

The learner will:

• Talk very briefly about familiar topics.
• Listen to short descriptions and conversations on concrete and familiar topics.
• Read short concrete texts (eg notices, posters and catalogues).
• Write a short, simple text and/or complete a form (eg a passport application).

Qualification Title: TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 2) (ISE) (A2).

Duration: 12 weeks

Learning Outcomes:

The learner will:

• Exchange information on familiar topics.
• Listen to descriptions and conversations on familiar topics (eg shopping, local area, employment).
• Read simple, everyday texts (eg advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables).
• Write a short, simple message or letter on familiar topics.

Qualification Title: TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 3) (ISE) (B1).

Duration: 12 weeks

Learning Outcomes:

The learner will:

• Talk about/discuss topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life.
• Listen to descriptions and discussions on topics regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
• Read everyday and job-related texts (eg letters, articles and stories).
• Write simple, connected text on familiar topics.

Qualification Title: TCL Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Level 1) (ISE) (B2).

Duration: 12 weeks

Learning Outcomes:

The learner will:

• Talk on a wide range of subjects.
• Listen to lectures on topics of interest, TV news and current affairs programmes.
• Read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems.
• Write essays or reports on subjects related to their interests.

Qualification Title: TCL Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Level 2) (ISE) (C1).

Duration: 12 weeks

Learning Outcomes:

The learner will:

• Talk about/discuss complex subjects.
• Listen to lectures, TV news and current affairs programmes.
• Read specialised articles and longer technical instructions.
• Write essays or reports about complex subjects.

Qualification Title: TCL Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Level 3) (ISE) (C2).

Duration: 12 weeks

Learning Outcomes:

The learner will:

• Participate in any spoken exchange.
• Listen to spoken language on any topic (live and broadcast).
• Read complex articles and reports.
• Write complex essays or reports.

Each ISE module is assessed using either dichotomous (right/wrong) scoring or rating scales. The result for each module is calculated by converting the raw score into a standardised reporting score.