The National Association for Teaching English and Community Languages to Adults (NATECLA) is calling for ESOL exams to be replaced by teacher assessment this year.
Having consulted members for their views, NATECLA has called on Ofqual and the Department for Education to allow all ESOL learners to be assessed by their teachers instead of having to adapt quickly to online assessment, which it says would disadvantage those with no access to computers or the internet, and those with poor reading and technology skills.
NATECLA has also asked for learners to be allowed to continue learning during the summer term without needing to prepare for examinations, but focusing on the English they most need at this difficult time. They can then return to their qualification programmes once face-to-face learning resumes.
Check out the Skills for Life Network E-News Update November 2025 for a round up of what’s new and what’s happening in maths, English, ESOL and digital skills in the FE and Training sector.
Google Gemini Storybooks uses AI to generate online storybooks based on your prompts. The books include graphics and sound. It works in multiple languages and is free to use.
Call for ESOL exams to be replaced by teacher assessment this year
The National Association for Teaching English and Community Languages to Adults (NATECLA) is calling for ESOL exams to be replaced by teacher assessment this year.
Having consulted members for their views, NATECLA has called on Ofqual and the Department for Education to allow all ESOL learners to be assessed by their teachers instead of having to adapt quickly to online assessment, which it says would disadvantage those with no access to computers or the internet, and those with poor reading and technology skills.
NATECLA has also asked for learners to be allowed to continue learning during the summer term without needing to prepare for examinations, but focusing on the English they most need at this difficult time. They can then return to their qualification programmes once face-to-face learning resumes.
Read the NATECLA statement to Ofqual in full
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