Amendments to Schedule 2A

5.—(1) Paragraph 1 of Schedule 2A(1) (specified English language tests and qualifications) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 1 the existing provision becomes sub-paragraph (1).

(3) For paragraph (c) substitute—

(c)a test specified in Table 1, where the test is taken within the United Kingdom, or Table 2, where the test is taken outside the United Kingdom, which—

(i)is at a level equivalent to level B1 or above on the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment;

(ii)was taken at an approved English language test centre; and

(iii)was taken no more than two years before the date of the application for naturalisation.

(4) After sub-paragraph (1), insert—

(2) In this paragraph—

“approved English language test centre” means a test centre which has been approved by the Secretary of State for the purpose of an application for naturalisation(2);

“United Kingdom” has the same meaning as in Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978(3).

Table 1

Recognised English Language Tests within the United Kingdom

Awarding bodySpecified English language test
Cambridge English

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Life Skills

Trinity College LondonIntegrated Skills in English
Trinity College LondonGraded Examinations in Spoken English

Table 2

Recognised English Language Tests outside the United Kingdom

Awarding bodySpecified English language test
Cambridge English

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Life Skills

(1)

Schedule 2A was inserted by S.I. 2013/2541 and amended by S.I. 2014/1465.

(2)

A list of approved English language test centres can be found on the Home Office pages of the gov.uk website. A hard copy of the list will be made available from the Home Office on request.