Truro and Penwith College has become Cornwall’s first listed SELT (Secure English Language Test) preparation course provider for Trinity College London.
SELT tests are needed to support UK visa and citizenship applications and are available at various levels depending on the nature of an individual’s stay in the UK.
There are currently 20 UK centres running SELTs, ten of which are run by Trinity College London and approved by the British Home Office.
The college launched three SELT preparation courses in February and has already helped Thai, Russian and Pakistan nationals pass their tests.
The courses support students preparing for visa and citizenship applications that require an A1, A2 or B1 language level. An A1 level is required for those who wish to stay in the UK as the partner or parent of a British citizen, and the individual needs to be at A2 if the stay is to be longer than 2.5 years. A B1 language level is required for those seeking British citizenship for permanent residency.
Chutikarn Mann, student and owner of Thai Massage Cornwall, commented: “Studying for the SELT A2 English exam at the college was not only a necessity, it was also very enjoyable and I learnt a lot. I also made some new friends and learnt about other cultures during my time on the course.”
College tutor, Louise Canham, said: “SELTs can be taken without doing any preparation but an individual is likely to fail if they haven’t accessed the relevant materials and syllabus.”
“Our ESOL and TESOL programmes have been running successfully for many years and were significant in Trinity College London deciding to make us a Listed SELT Course Provider. I am thrilled that we will now be able to support students all the way through to their visa and citizenship applications.”
