Page 47 - ELG2009 Sep Issue 472

INTERVIEW .

COVID-secure at a Trinity SELT Centre

If you are taking an English exam for immigration purposes in the UK, you need to
go to a Secure English Language Test (SELT) Centre, but how can you be sure
they are Covid-secure? We asked Ailsa Longmuir, who runs two of the 16 Trinity
College London SELT test points in Britain to explain.

How has Covid-19 changed the way
you run a SELT centre?
At Trinity College London we always aim to
strike a balance between excellent customer
service and thorough safety and security DRAGANA GORDIC/SHUTTERSTOCK
standards. But in these challenging times, we
have been working hard to ensure that all
government guidelines are met and there is
not only a safe working environment for our
teams but also a safe and supportive setting
for our candidates taking their test.

What can candidates who visit a Trinity
SELT centre expect to see?
They can still expect the same high levels of
customer service we are known for. They will
receive a friendly greeting by a named
Steward, who will accompany them around
the centre.

A Steward, you mean like on an
aeroplane?
Yes. Our Stewards are there to look after you, Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)
they understand that some candidates may be
feeling anxious – perhaps this is the first time Trinity aims to make Covid safety as stress-free as possible
they have used public transport or been on a approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
busy street in several months – and will do Registrar will be sitting behind a clear plastic What happens at the end of the test?
everything they can do to put them at ease. screen. Any used pens or clipboards are Once the exam has finished, the candidate
placed in a box to be disinfected, and desks will collect their belongings from their locker
How do you protect your staff? are thoroughly cleaned in between each and the exam room will be sanitised ready for Trinity College London is approved by UKVI to provide SELTs for British
Front-facing staff members have all been registration. the next candidate. Citizenship, Settlement and visa applications. Trinity has many SELT centres
issued with PPE – Personal Protection
Equipment – and will be wearing a plastic How have candidates reacted to the across the UK with tests available 7 days a week.
face shield or a fabric face mask. For the Our Stewards are new style SELT Centre?
safety and comfort of all our customers, we We have received great feedback so far from
politely request that all candidates also wear there to look after our candidates, and several have made Citizenship, Settlement and Entrepreneur, Student and
a face covering in the centre, and we have a you, they understand contact through social media to thank us for
supply of disposable face masks available if making them feel safe and welcomed. Trinity Spouse/Partner visas (A1–B1) Minister of Religion visas (B1–C1)
they are needed. that some candidates are proud to continue to support our
candidates in these unprecedented times and
How have you changed the Centres may be feeling carry on our standard of customer excellence.
themselves? anxious. Further information on what candidates GESE: Graded Examinations in ISE: Integrated Skills in English
All excess furniture has been removed to allow can expect when they visit a Trinity SELT
for two-metre social distancing, and we have centre can be found here: Spoken English A reading, writing, speaking and
posters and floor markers in place to help https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualificatio
support and give guidance. Hand gel is placed Trinity College London is famous ns/SELT/UKVI. A speaking and listening exam listening exam
at convenient locations throughout the for its speaking and listening test,
centre, which candidates are invited to use. which always used to be done face-to- Ailsa Longmuir is A one-to-one conversation Completed in one day
face. Will this still be possible? the manager at the
What are candidates expected to do? Candidates still take their speaking and Trinity College Certificate usually sent within 7 days Certificate usually sent within 21 days
Candidates will be required to switch off their listening test one-to-one with a Trinity TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON London SELT
electronic devices and place all their examiner but they take it online via video Centres in Glasgow
belongings into a locker, and these lockers are conference. and Edinburgh,
sanitised regularly. The Steward will set everything up, so the Scotland. This Book your test today at trinitySELT.co.uk
Before they sit their test, one of our trained examiner’s face will be on a screen in front of interview is based on
Registrars will check all their registration the candidate when they enter the exam an article first
details and carry out a few security checks. room. There is no change to the exam length published in Economic Focus – the magazine
The registration desk is at a safe distance or content, and each test is still personalised of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce.
away from other candidates, and the to the individual candidate.
/TrinitySELT @Trinity_SELT 0333 358 3183 trinitycollege.com/SELT
46 September 2020