Qualification Structure

The NOCN Level 1 Award in ESOL Skills for Life (Reading) is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 60 hours and 60 Guided Learning Hours (GLH), with 6 credits.

Assessment for the NOCN Level 1 Award in ESOL Skills for Life (Reading) is assignment-based. Learner work is assessed in accordance with NOCN assessment and quality assurance requirements to ensure that learners demonstrate the required knowledge, understanding and application of English reading skills.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete the 1 mandatory unit.

Core Study Units

ESOL Skills for Life Reading

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Gain meaning from text
• Identify the main points in straightforward text.
• Identify the main events in straightforward text.
• Use language features to identify meaning in straightforward text.
• Identify the meaning of words in straightforward text.
• Distinguish the purpose of text
• Identify the purpose of straightforward text.
• Find information in text
• Obtain relevant specific information from straightforward text.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The NOCN Level 1 Award in ESOL Skills for Life (Reading) is designed for learners who use English as an additional language and want to develop practical reading skills through an Ofqual-regulated UK qualification.

• ESOL learners: Suitable for learners who need to improve their ability to understand written English in everyday situations.
• International learners: Appropriate for learners outside the UK seeking a structured and regulated qualification focused specifically on English reading skills.
• Learners developing functional English: Supports learners who want to understand straightforward written information, identify key points and locate relevant details.
• Workplace learners: Useful for learners who need to interpret routine written information, instructions, notices and other practical workplace texts.
• Learners preparing for everyday communication: Helps develop reading skills required for handling common written materials encountered in daily life.
• Learners progressing in English: Provides a focused Level 1 pathway for developing reading competence as part of broader ESOL learning.
• Training providers and adult learning programmes: Suitable for centres delivering structured ESOL Skills for Life learning and assessment.

The qualification is particularly relevant where the learning objective is to develop practical English reading ability and demonstrate it through a recognised UK-regulated qualification.

Career Opportunities

The NOCN Level 1 Award in ESOL Skills for Life (Reading) provides learners with a structured foundation in practical English reading skills. The qualification develops the ability to understand straightforward written texts, identify main points and relevant information, recognise the purpose of texts, and interpret meaning from written language. It is suitable for learners in the UK and internationally who use English as an additional language and want to develop their reading skills through a recognised, Ofqual-regulated qualification.

Future Progression

The NOCN Level 1 Award in ESOL Skills for Life (Reading) provides learners with a foundation in practical English reading skills that can support participation in everyday, workplace and learning environments. The qualification develops the ability to understand straightforward written texts, identify main points, locate relevant information, recognise text purpose, and interpret meaning.

Academically, learners may progress to further ESOL Skills for Life qualifications or other English language and literacy programmes, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution. The qualification can also support continued development in broader English language skills, including writing, speaking and listening.

Professionally, the qualification can support progression towards entry-level roles such as Retail Assistant, Office Assistant, Customer Service Assistant, Hospitality Assistant, Warehouse Operative, Reception Assistant, Kitchen Assistant, and Administrative Support Worker, depending on the learner’s wider skills, experience and employer requirements. The reading skills developed through the qualification provide a practical foundation for understanding workplace instructions, notices, forms, schedules, customer information and other straightforward written materials.