How is the ESOL Entry 1 exam structured?

The exam is divided into four parts: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The listening section involves hearing short recordings and answering questions. Speaking is a one-to-one conversation with an examiner where you answer personal questions and describe pictures. Reading includes matching words to pictures and understanding short texts. Writing tasks include filling in forms, writing short sentences, and labelling items.

Do I need to know grammar for Entry 1 ESOL?

Yes, basic grammar is important. You should know the present simple tense of 'to be' (am, is, are) and common verbs (like, have, go). You also need to form simple questions and negatives. However, the focus is on communication, so you don't need to master complex grammar. Practise using short, correct sentences.

How long does it take to prepare for the Entry 1 ESOL exam?

Preparation time varies, but many students study for 3-6 months with regular classes or self-study. If you practise a little every day—listening to English, speaking with others, reading simple texts, and writing short notes—you can build the necessary skills. The course is designed for beginners, so you can start from scratch.

Can I use a dictionary in the ESOL Entry 1 exam?

No, dictionaries are not allowed in the exam. The test assesses your ability to understand and use English without help. However, during your preparation, using a picture dictionary or a bilingual dictionary can be very helpful for learning vocabulary. Make sure you know the key words for the topics covered.

What can I do after passing ESOL Entry 1?

After passing Entry 1, you can progress to Entry 2 (A2 level), which builds on your skills with more vocabulary and grammar. You can also use this qualification to support applications for further study, work, or citizenship. It shows employers and educators that you have a basic ability to communicate in English.

VTCT Skills (ITEC) Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 1) (A1) - Core Content

Q: What does the VTCT ITEC Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 1) cover?

This qualification covers basic English communication skills at the A1 level. You will learn to understand and use familiar everyday expressions, introduce yourself and others, ask and answer simple questions about personal details, and interact in a simple way when the other person speaks slowly and clearly. Topics include greetings, numbers, time, food, shopping, and daily routines.

VTCT SKILLS

vocational

This subtopic forms the foundational core of the Entry 1 ESOL qualification, introducing learners to basic English language skills essential for everyday survival and social integration. It focuses on developing receptive and productive abilities at CEFR A1 level, enabling learners to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at meeting concrete needs. Through practical, task-based activities, learners build confidence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing within highly contextualised, real-life situations such as introductions, shopping, and personal information.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

Key Terms

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria

VTCT Skills (ITEC) Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 1) (A1)

Topic Overview

The VTCT Skills (ITEC) Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 1) (A1) is designed for learners who are beginning their journey in learning English as a second or foreign language. This qualification focuses on developing basic communication skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing at the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is ideal for students who have little or no prior knowledge of English and need to build a foundation for everyday communication in simple, familiar situations.

This certificate is part of the Foundations for Learning suite, which aims to equip learners with essential language skills for further study, work, and social integration. At Entry 1, students learn to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. They can introduce themselves and others, ask and answer simple questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know, and things they have. The course covers topics like greetings, numbers, time, food, and shopping, providing a practical toolkit for real-life interactions.

Achieving this qualification demonstrates that a learner can communicate at a basic level in English, which is a crucial step towards higher-level ESOL qualifications and broader educational or employment opportunities. It also builds confidence and independence in using English, enabling learners to participate more fully in English-speaking environments. The assessment is straightforward, with tasks that mirror real-life scenarios, ensuring that students can apply what they have learned in practical contexts.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Basic greetings and introductions: Using phrases like 'Hello', 'Goodbye', 'My name is...', and 'How are you?' to start and end conversations politely.
→Personal information: Being able to state your name, age, nationality, address, and phone number, and ask others for the same information.
→Numbers and time: Counting from 1 to 100, telling the time (e.g., 'It's three o'clock'), and understanding days of the week, months, and dates.
→Everyday vocabulary: Knowing words for common objects (e.g., food, clothes, furniture), places (e.g., shop, school, home), and actions (e.g., eat, drink, go, buy).
→Simple sentence structures: Using present simple tense with 'to be' and other common verbs, forming questions with 'what', 'where', 'when', and 'how', and giving short answers (e.g., 'Yes, I am' / 'No, I don't').

Learning Objectives

What you need to know and understand

Recognize familiar words and very basic phrases concerning self, family, and immediate surroundings when spoken slowly and clearly.
Interact in a simple way, using basic greetings, asking and answering simple questions on personal details, provided speech is slow and clear.
Understand short, simple texts such as notices, forms, and messages by identifying known words and phrases.
Write simple sentences and fill in forms with personal information (e.g., name, address, nationality) with accuracy.
Identify and use basic grammatical structures (e.g., the verb 'to be', present simple tense) to form simple statements and questions.
Use a limited range of topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., family, food, daily routines) appropriately in speaking and writing.

Assessment Criteria

Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

Award credit for correctly completing personal information forms with accurate spelling and capitalisation of proper nouns (e.g., names, nationalities, addresses).
Award credit for demonstrating understanding of simple oral instructions by accurately carrying out everyday tasks (e.g., pointing to objects, following directions).
Award credit for producing intelligible spoken responses that convey basic meaning despite pronunciation or grammatical inaccuracies.
Award credit for identifying key information in short reading texts (e.g., times, prices, places) even if full comprehension is not achieved.
Award credit for attempting to use target vocabulary in context, even with minor errors.

Assessment Guidance

Guidance for achieving higher grades

💡For speaking assessments, prioritise clear, slow speech and key words; don't worry about perfect grammar—being understood is the goal.
💡In listening tasks, focus on gist and specific information; use visual prompts and repeated key words to support understanding.
💡When reading, look for cognates, context clues, and familiar vocabulary first; do not attempt to understand every word.
💡For writing tasks, double-check spelling of personal details and common functional words (e.g., 'from', 'my', 'am') as these carry significant weight.
💡Practise filling in real-life forms and writing short notes regularly, as this builds automaticity and reduces test-day errors.
💡Practise speaking out loud every day: Even if you are alone, describe what you see around you or talk about your daily routine. This builds fluency and confidence. In the exam, speak clearly and at a natural pace—don't rush.
💡Listen carefully to questions: In the listening and speaking parts, you may hear questions more than once. Use the first listen to get the gist, and the second to confirm details. If you don't understand, it's okay to ask the examiner to repeat (e.g., 'Sorry, can you say that again?').
💡Read instructions and questions slowly: In the reading and writing sections, take time to understand what is being asked. Underline key words like 'name', 'number', or 'colour' to focus your answer. For writing, keep sentences short and simple—use the vocabulary you know well.

Common Mistakes

Common errors to avoid in your coursework

Omitting the verb ‘to be’ or other auxiliary verbs (e.g., 'I from Poland' instead of 'I am from Poland').
Confusing word order in questions (e.g., 'You are from where?' instead of 'Where are you from?').
Using incorrect subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'He live' instead of 'He lives').
Mispronouncing common phonemes, leading to breakdown in communication (e.g., 'ship' vs. 'sheep').
Misunderstanding that you need to speak perfectly: At Entry 1, the goal is communication, not perfection. It's okay to make mistakes with grammar or pronunciation as long as the message is understood. Examiners look for effort and clarity, not flawless English.
Thinking that reading and writing are less important than speaking: All four skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) are assessed and equally important. Practising writing simple sentences and reading short texts helps reinforce vocabulary and grammar for speaking and listening.
Confusing similar words: For example, 'live' (to reside) and 'leave' (to go away) sound similar but have different meanings. Students should practise listening carefully and using context to distinguish between such words.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•No formal prerequisites are required for this qualification, as it is designed for complete beginners. However, learners should be able to recognise and write the letters of the alphabet and have basic numeracy skills (e.g., counting to 20) to fully engage with the course content.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Basic listening comprehension
Simple spoken interaction
Reading short texts and signs
Writing personal information
Everyday vocabulary and phrases
Fundamental grammar structures

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VTCT Skills (ITEC) Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 1) (A1) - Core Content

Assessment criteria

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

Learning Objectives

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Guidance

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

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Related Topics in VTCT SKILLS vocational Foundations for Learning