English speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Our courses are here to help you improve your English skills from reading and writing to speaking and listening.
If you are a complete beginner or would like to gain a qualification to help with work or study we have courses to meet your needs, supporting you whilst living in an English speaking environment.
Classes for adults aged 19+ who do not have English as their first language.
ESOL learners practise reading, writing and speaking and listening to support life in the UK. We also look at grammar and punctuation at levels from E1, E2, E3. L1 to L2. These classes can help you with finding a job, being part of our community and teach you employability skills. They also help you learn about Britain, it's laws, values, diversity and culture.
We run courses from Beginners to Level 2. These classes are exam classes, and you will be entered for exams when your tutor feels you are ready.
We also run community learning courses that do not have an exam. The community learning courses can prepare you for starting an exam course or if you are looking to improve your English for daily life, then these are the courses for you.
How much?
These courses are free of charge if you are unemployed or earn less than £31,600 a year.
How to enquire about a course?
- Find the course you are interested in, and you can enrol online.
- You can call in to your local library and speak to Adult Leaning staff to find out more
- Telephone your local centre, you can find your nearest centre details at "Contact Us".
"I can now have conversations in English."
"I understand quite a lot of what is being said (though I struggle with accents)"
"I have improved my vocabulary."
"I can read a book in English and make orders."
"I have found a job."
We are passionate about helping people to achieve their full potential and believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to continue learning throughout their life.
We are now able to offer a range of real time, learner focused, high quality, online learning. Just have a look at what is on offer across the county!
Our online courses are being delivered via Zoom, a secure online platform. You will be supported to access Zoom via a set of instructions supplied by your centre once your place on a course is confirmed. If you have any queries contact your local Adult Learning Centre and our staff will be happy to help. Please join us as we embark on this fascinating journey!
Take a look at our Learn Online section to view the full range of courses on offer.
ESOL English for speakers of other languages
Adult Learning works with a wide range of ESOL learners from Entry level to Level 2. Each of the Ascentis ESOL qualifications offered is made up of three components that learners are assessed on: Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Adult Learning works with learners to ensure that they receive personalised support. Learners may complete units or whole qualifications, depending on their current level of competence.
The primary aim of our ESOL curriculum is:
- To help learners to become independent of other people such as translators
- To allow ESOL learners to integrate fully into British life
- To enable ESOL learners to be active and valued members of society in the UK
- To assist ESOL learners to secure employment so they are able to contribute to the economic growth of the UK
- To improve ESOL learners' understanding and appreciation of British Life, including fundamental British Values.
- To ensure ESOL learners develop reading, writing and speaking skills to improve their communication and fluency, this improving their employability skills.
- To allow ESOL learners to identify other areas of our curriculum that would aid their wellbeing, both economic and social.
- To be able to access service providers in an effective way
- Listening skills - You will need excellent listening skills to get the most from your experience, both within the classroom and outside of it. It takes more time and effort to process a foreign language, consequently you think harder about what you are hearing and how to make an appropriate response.
- Speaking skills - Not only the new language but in your mother tongue. Learning another language can improve your ability to communicate more accurately in your own language as you appreciate the potential difficulties in speaking too quickly and using jargon.
- Cultural understanding - You will learn more about other countries, their customs and their way of life.
- Empathy and the ability to relate to others - You will build relationships with your peers and understand their challenges in learning another language. As you develop a greater understanding of other countries and cultures you will be able to identify similarities and differences with the way you live.
- Patience - Patience is absolutely essential when studying a language, it takes time, effort and lots of repetition and practice.
- Teamwork - You will work in whole class groups, small groups and paired activities.
- Independent study skills - you will need to work outside of the classroom to improve your knowledge and skills.
- Creative problem solving - When you are outside of your comfort zone, speaking a different language you will have to be creative to solve communication problems.
- Writing skills - Your knowledge of grammar conventions in a new language will be strengthened. You will be able to compare and contrast similarities and differences between languages.
- Coaching and mentoring skills - You will develop these as you work alongside and support your peers.
- Self-confidence - You will feel good about yourself as your language skills improve.
- Perseverance - Learning to speak a new language is a very challenging, but extremely rewarding, process. Your perseverance will be rewarded with lifelong skills.
- Time Management skills - As you combine home and study commitments your time management skills will be improved.
