UK settlement - English Language test

[darren1971]

Is it permitted for my Thai gf to sit her English language test for her UK settlement visa whilst staying in the UK on a UK visit visa. I understand there are limitations on education whilst on a visit visa so wouldn't want to create a black mark on her immigration file that may hamper her settlement visa application.

 

I heard from a member who has been through settlement that the tests are handled slightly differently in the UK and the format here may be preferable for my Thai gf - true or not? I would imagine it is more expensive in the UK but making it as easy as possible for my gf is my primary aim. Personally I think her English is very good but as she never finished school in Thailand any sort of exam situation is going to make her nervous.

 

Whilst we are on the subject is it worthwhile her doing the TB test here also? The settlement visa application will be ready prior to her leaving the UK, it would be great if we could complete the whole process here and submit it before returning to Thailand if it is possible.

Edited September 11, 2017 by darren1971

[theoldgit]

Yes, she can take the test whilst visiting the UK, I know a number of people who've done so.

I've been told that the test is far more straightforward in the UK.

I don't know about the TB test.

 

[7by7]

As theoldgit says, she can take the test while in the UK as a visitor; she can also take a course of study of up to 30 days for it if she needs to; provided that's not the main reason for her visit.

 

I don't know whether or not it's cheaper in the UK than Thailand, but as there are only two approved test centres in Thailand, both in Bangkok, and 24 in various parts of the UK it's certainly easier to arrange a convenient one. See page 2 of Approved secure English language tests and test centres for the UK ones.

 

See also Identification requirements for candidates.

 

As she will be applying for her settlement visa in Thailand, she must have her TB test done in Thailand at the IoM clinic in Bangkok; see Tuberculosis testing in Thailand.

 

I believe that this is because the test must be done at a Home Office approved clinic and there are none such in the UK as in UK applicants don't need a TB certificate.

[brewsterbudgen]

The major difference between taking the Trinity test in the UK and the IELTS Life Skills test in Bangkok is that the candidate is on their own for the Trinity but has a partner in the Life Skills test. The level of English required (A1) is exactly the same. A degree of interaction is required in order to pass - with the examiner in the Trinity test, with the other candidate and the examiner in the Life Skills test.

[darren1971]

13 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

The major difference between taking the Trinity test in the UK and the IELTS Life Skills test in Bangkok is that the candidate is on their own for the Trinity but has a partner in the Life Skills test. The level of English required (A1) is exactly the same. A degree of interaction is required in order to pass - with the examiner in the Trinity test, with the other candidate and the examiner in the Life Skills test.

That's what I heard, I think she will be more comfortable with just the examiner so I will book the test for her in England

[rasg]

10 hours ago, darren1971 said:

I heard from a member who has been through settlement that the tests are handled slightly differently in the UK and the format here may be preferable for my Thai gf - true or not? I would imagine it is more expensive in the UK but making it as easy as possible for my gf is my primary aim. Personally I think her English is very good but as she never finished school in Thailand any sort of exam situation is going to make her nervous.

 

Whilst we are on the subject is it worthwhile her doing the TB test here also? The settlement visa application will be ready prior to her leaving the UK, it would be great if we could complete the whole process here and submit it before returning to Thailand if it is possible.

Are you doubting me about the language test?

 

It's not really an exam. It's a six minute listening and speaking test and it's pretty basic. Go on the Trinity college channel on YouTube and take a look at some real tests. Take a look at the videos A1, A2 and B1 tests. If Ket takes the A2 it will take her all the way through to FLR and she will need B1 for ILR. If she can take B1, assuming the Government doesn't change the goalposts, she won't need to take a language test for ILR. A2 while she is here on her VV will save you £150. B1 will save £300. If her English is up to it. Look at the the real tests and you can make a judgement.

 

I have read about a few problems with the Thai system where candidates simply not understanding their test partner. Talking too quickly, poor pronunciation etc. You don't get from a native English speaker and imho, if you have an opportunity for Ket to do the test here in the UK, I would recommend it.

 

As has been said. IOM building, Bangkok. Sign in at the desk and pay. 3300 baht when my wife went. You can pay on a card online but I couldn't get it to work. Nip to the hospital across the road for the XRay. Come back for the certificate. If the first XRay is inconclusive, Ket will need another. IOM close quite early so it's better to get an early appointment. It can take most of the day.

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

Are you doubting me about the language test?
 
It's not really an exam. It's a six minute listening and speaking test and it's pretty basic. Go on the Trinity college channel on YouTube and take a look at some real tests. Take a look at the videos A1, A2 and B1 tests. If Ket takes the A2 it will take her all the way through to FLR and she will need B1 for ILR. If she can take B1, assuming the Government doesn't change the goalposts, she won't need to take a language test for ILR. A2 while she is here on her VV will save you £150. B1 will save £300. If her English is up to it. Look at the the real tests and you can make a judgement.
 
I have read about a few problems with the Thai system where candidates simply not understanding their test partner. Talking too quickly, poor pronunciation etc. You don't get from a native English speaker and imho, if you have an opportunity for Ket to do the test here in the UK, I would recommend it.
 
As has been said. IOM building, Bangkok. Sign in at the desk and pay. 3300 baht when my wife went. You can pay on a card online but I couldn't get it to work. Nip to the hospital across the road for the XRay. Come back for the certificate. If the first XRay is inconclusive, Ket will need another. IOM close quite early so it's better to get an early appointment. It can take most of the day.
 
 

Actually the A1 test has to be between 16 and 18 minutes. The examiner is trained to handle two candidates of differing levels and it shouldn't affect how each candidate scores. That said, most of the Thai women who fail (in Bangkok) do so because they are too shy or nervous to speak!

[theoldgit]

My wife took the A1 English test with Trinity when we were visiting London, as we were considering relocating.

 

She was in and out in five minutes, she said that the test was a little more than a brief chat with the examiner just satisfying himself that she was able to hold a basic conversation, she added that once she told him that she liked Arsenal and had been to the Emirates Stadium the day before she had clearly passed.

[brewsterbudgen]

2 hours ago, theoldgit said:

My wife took the A1 English test with Trinity when we were visiting London, as we were considering relocating.

 

She was in and out in five minutes, she said that the test was a little more than a brief chat with the examiner just satisfying himself that she was able to hold a basic conversation, she added that once she told him that she liked Arsenal and had been to the Emirates Stadium the day before she had clearly passed.

When was this?  It does seem strange that the IELTS Life Skills test (which I believe is the main test used outside the UK) is much longer (16-18 minutes) and has a Listening component than can be quite tricky.  If candidates get all 3 Listening questions wrong, they will have difficulty passing.  One would think that UKVI would choose tests of equal difficulty.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the content of the Trinity test changing, unless it already has, or it being replaced by the IELTS Life Skills test (which is modeled on, and has replaced the old Cambridge University Skills for Life test), especially as candidates can take Life Skills in the UK.

Edited September 12, 2017 by brewsterbudgen

[theoldgit]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

When was this?  It does seem strange that the IELTS Life Skills test (which I believe is the main test used outside the UK) is much longer (16-18 minutes) and has a Listening component than can be quite tricky.

It was a couple of years ago, July 2105.

[brewsterbudgen]

28 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

It was a couple of years ago, July 2105.

I guess the difference in time reflects the fact the Trinity test is one candidate, while two are tested in the Life Skills test.  They probably all get around 6 minutes actual speaking/listening time. 

[rasg]

3 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

When was this?  It does seem strange that the IELTS Life Skills test (which I believe is the main test used outside the UK) is much longer (16-18 minutes) and has a Listening component than can be quite tricky.  If candidates get all 3 Listening questions wrong, they will have difficulty passing.  One would think that UKVI would choose tests of equal difficulty.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the content of the Trinity test changing, unless it already has, or it being replaced by the IELTS Life Skills test (which is modeled on, and has replaced the old Cambridge University Skills for Life test), especially as candidates can take Life Skills in the UK.

Edited 3 hours ago by brewsterbudgen

And that was my point to Darren1971 when we were discussing the tests in the first place. There are elements of the test if you take it in Thailand that make it more difficult. You can go into the Trinity College, YouTube channel and watch videos of real tests. I spent a few hours doing a mock test with my wife to make sure that she had a good idea of what to expect. It made a big difference to her nerves.

[brewsterbudgen]

And that was my point to Darren1971 when we were discussing the tests in the first place. There are elements of the test if you take it in Thailand that make it more difficult. You can go into the Trinity College, YouTube channel and watch videos of real tests. I spent a few hours doing a mock test with my wife to make sure that she had a good idea of what to expect. It made a big difference to her nerves.

I don't really agree as, in my opinion, doing it with another candidate tends to relax them and allows for a more natural interaction. However I accept that everyone reacts to a test differently. I have since checked that the Listening component in the Trinity test is the same, so it's only really having two candidates being tested together that is different.

[rasg]

38 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I don't really agree as, in my opinion, doing it with another candidate tends to relax them and allows for a more natural interaction. However I accept that everyone reacts to a test differently. I have since checked that the Listening component in the Trinity test is the same, so it's only really having two candidates being tested together that is different.

As I explained before, I have read about a few instances on here and elsewhere where there was a total mismatch between the two candidates. One was speaking so fast that the other couldn’t understand. I can’t remember the others. It was a while back and I can only tell you about my wife's experience. My wife was far more relaxed with a one to one and she didn’t have to interact with anybody except the examiner who was a very clear native English speaker. IMHO, a better experience. We will have to agree to disagree.

[brewsterbudgen]

As I explained before, I have read about a few instances on here and elsewhere where there was a total mismatch between the two candidates. One was speaking so fast that the other couldn’t understand. I can’t remember the others. It was a while back and I can only tell you about my wife's experience. My wife was far more relaxed with a one to one and she didn’t have to interact with anybody except the examiner who was a very clear native English speaker. IMHO, a better experience. We will have to agree to disagree.

Indeed, some people may well prefer the 1:1 situation. A mismatch in the Life Skills test can occur but the examiner will be aware of this, and as I explained earlier, the candidates are assessed individually so it shouldn't affect their score. The examiner is there to help a lower level candidate if needed.

[rasg]

I get it but the situation doesn’t arise using the UK system.