The first step to obtain an Indefinite Leave to Remain or British Citizenship is clearing the “Life in the UK” examination, as per the rules set by the Home Office.
Since 2005, everyone who applies to become a British citizen has had to show their knowledge of the English language and of life in the United Kingdom in one of two ways. They can take a special ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course, which uses teaching materials based on the practical meaning of citizenship. Or they can take the new Life in the UK Exam, which consist of 24 questions about important aspects of life in Britain today.
I took my exam last Monday 9 July 2007 at the Learning & Enterprise Centre in Chester. I arrived ten minutes before my appointment time feeling a bit nervous but at the same time confident that I will pass the exam. Prior to my exam date, as I was reading the handbook Life in the UK: A Journey to Citizenship (Edition 2), I thought of looking for a site wherein I could actually do some practice test. After spending five minutes searching for the right one, alas! I found lifeintheukonline.co.uk which really helped me to prepare and it boosts up my confidence in taking the exam. Reading the book is not enough so I would recommend this site for people who will be taking the exam in the future.
I am now a proud owner of a Pass Notification Letter. Hurray!!! I’m looking forward to getting my indefinite leave to remain visa next month. J
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July 20, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Barney
Congratulations, Katie. I’m really glad to hear this.
July 20, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Barney
Congratulations, Katie, this is great news!
December 16, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Christopher Contant-Galitello
Hello Katie, Congratulations. This whole UK citizenship thing can be so traumatic. Imagine this: I am an American citizen so my mother tongue is English . . and have lived in the UK since 1992. My wife being British I though, “It’s about time I became a citizen of the country I call my home”. So after getting indefinate leave to remain, I took the next step and received this letter about having to take some English competency test. I wrote back saying that it is my mother tongue but was told I still needed to be assessed. No matter what I said, the same response came back. Even speaking to them over the phone was not enough. So finally I asked if having a Degree from a UK university would be proof enough that I can speak English and finally, luckily it was. Whew!
I look forward to meeting at the National Festival. Kiskadee, my wife, has entered the song contest. We hope there will be an opportunity to read or hear more about your late son. I do believe we all have so many legacies to leave.