ESOL courses, starting in September, aim to help adult learners improve their English language skills, focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and writing. These courses are ideal for those whose first language is not English, providing key language skills to boost confidence in everyday life and the workplace.

These courses are offered and completed through local colleges within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. They are held externally to the Social Care Academy.

At the point of creating this course, all courses were free, however learners should contact the college to confirm they are eligible to complete the course for free. Some courses may result in a charge if they are not finished in time.

We recommend enrolling in this course as a reminder, and to see the more detailed descriptions of each college's offer.

Be sure to also check out the ESOL - Preparing for Care course.

Stoke-on-Trent College

English as a second language (ESOL) - Pre-Entry to Level 2

Course overview

ESOL courses are delivered from September and seek to allow learners to improve their English language skills. The skills focused on are in streams as follows: Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing.

Course levels cover a wide range of abilities from Pre-Entry to Level 2 and successful completion of all courses are based on an assessment at the end of the course. Assessments are based upon the English skills that have been worked on throughout the course.

Progression is usually, based upon successful completion of the previous level, to the next stream of English skills. For example, completing Entry 3 Speaking and Listening could lead to enrolment onto Entry 3 Reading and Writing.  These three skills will be taught up to Level 2.

Accessing the course

The course is available through Stoke-on-Trent College.

Newcastle and Stafford College Group

English as a second language (ESOL) - Beginners English

Course Overview

This ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course is designed for learners who want to improve their basic English skills. The course will also help improve your confidence when communicating in everyday life situations. During the course, you will:

• Learn essential English vocabulary and phrases
• Practice everyday conversations
• Improve listening skills
• Read simple texts and understand main ideas
• Write short sentences and paragraphs

The course combines reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills each week to prepare you for work a variety of everyday tasks through role play and peer learning. Your teacher will support you throughout the course, but you need to be committed and motivated to succeed.

To support your progress, you will also need to complete an additional 2 hours of self-study each week through homework and online resources.

Accessing the course

The course is available through the Newcastle and Stafford College Group.

English as a second language (ESOL) - Level 1

Course overview

Teaching will be taught in a holistic way, combining all skills to ensure you are prepared for living in the UK. Modules will include the following; however, more advanced grammatical concepts are embedded throughout the course.

• Reading
• Speaking and Listening
• Writing

You will be encouraged to improve your speaking/listening skills using discussion/role play and presentations at a higher level. Different reading and writing strategies are used along with exam techniques, with lessons supporting everyday life activities. For example: writing will focus on more advanced letter writing and emails.

Grammar is embedded into classes along with themes that comply with a citizenship element, such as: problem solving and education/giving advice about past situations and hypothetical scenarios. Students are encouraged to work in groups, pairs or independently to gain confidence and encourage expression along with the use of colloquial expressions.

Your teacher will support you throughout the ESOL course, but it is important you have a real drive and commitment to achieving an ESOL qualification. Whilst studying with us you will need to complete an additional 2 hours of weekly self-study learning through homework.

Accessing the course

This course is available through the Newcastle and Stafford College Group.