ESOL, business English and English tests for work, study and visas: CEFR levels, IELTS, OET and SELT explained for learners and employers.
How IELTS Academic differs from General Training, when UKVI or Life Skills tests apply, and how band scores and preparation compare.
23 September 2026How to set the right CEFR level for a role, choose between IELTS, Cambridge English and OET, and assess English fairly and consistently.
23 September 2026A practical guide for HR, mobility and L&D teams to level-check, target and support English training for relocated staff and their families.
23 September 2026A plain guide to Secure English Language Tests: which are approved, what CEFR level each UK visa route needs, and who is exempt.
23 September 2026OET and IELTS Academic are the two tests UK healthcare regulators generally accept, though scores and visa rules differ by body.
23 September 2026B1 to B2 in English usually takes 180 to 260 guided learning hours, though starting point, intensity and exposure change the timeline.
23 September 2026Business or general English: how to check CEFR level and real work tasks to choose the right course, mixed programmes and progress tracking.
23 September 2026What CEFR levels A1 to C2 mean for workplace English, how they map to IELTS and OET, and how UK visa rules use the B1, B2 and C1 thresholds.
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