English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Locations across Buckinghamshire |
Available all year round |
Weeks: (Course Dependent) |
Sessions: Morning, Afternoon & Evening |
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes are for people who do not speak English as their first language. ESOL classes are designed to help learners improve their ability to talk, listen, read and write in English and settle in the community. Our tutors are highly experienced and qualified and specialise in working with adults. We pride ourselves in building ‘learning confidence’ – we will take care of you.
How will improving my English help me?
Our courses can help you to:
- Gain confidence
- Find a new job
- Get a promotion at work
- Gain a qualification
- Help your children with their school work
What will I learn on an English course?
On our courses you will improve your Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing skills and develop your vocabulary and grammar. Our courses are carefully designed to take into consideration your individual learning needs, educational and employment aspirations. Our tutors encourage independent learning and use communicative language-teaching techniques to help you achieve your learning goals.
Some of the things you will learn on our courses are how to:
- greet people and talk about feelings, likes and dislikes
- ask for and give personal information, directions and travel arrangements
- ask for information in shops and make an appointment with the doctor
- fill in job application forms, write invitations and letters of complaint
- make polite requests, apologise and ask for permission
- describe and compare places and people
- understand and take part in formal and informal conversations and discussions
- talk and write about the future and things that happened in the past.
How will I find the course that’s right for me?
You can join most courses throughout the year. If you would like to enrol, please book an online assessment with us which will enable us to find the best course for you.
How much do the courses cost?
Courses cost £4.10 per hour if you:
- hold a British or European Union passport and have lived in the EU (including UK) for three years
- hold a passport from outside the EU but have lived in the UK for the last three years
- are married to a British or EU citizen.
Courses are £12.00 per hour if you do not fit into any of the groups above.
Examination Fees
ESOL Speaking and Listening £34.00
ESOL Reading £18.00
ESOL Writing £18.00
GCSE Maths £45.00
GCSE English £42.00
You may be able to get some help towards the cost of your course and exam fees if you are on certain benefits.
You may be able to get some help towards the cost of your course and exam fees if you are on certain benefits.
Will I gain a qualification?
We offer Ascentis ESOL Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 qualifications in Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. You can progress to ESOL Functional Skills Levels 1 and 2. Before starting a course your tutor will discuss with you your individual needs and assess your language skills. This will help the tutor allocate the most suitable course for you.
How do I join?
You can join an ESOL class if:
• English is not your first language
• you are living in the UK long-term
• you want to speak and understand everyday English
• you want to improve your reading and writing skills
• You want to gain an ESOL qualification
Subject to demand you can join a morning, afternoon or an evening class in one of our Buckinghamshire Adult Learning Centres. We currently run ESOL classes in the centres in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Chesham.
You can join most courses throughout the year. If you would like to enrol, please book an online assessment to help us find the best course for you.
For more information, please email Angela Cato on angela.cato@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or call 01296 674463.
I will need support/help with my learning, what is available?
We will always try to help if you have a physical disability or learning support need. Please see our Learning Support section for more details. Let us know when you enrol and speak to us in confidence to discuss your needs in full.
What happens if I can't attend my class?
It is important to attend your class promptly and regularly but:
- If you know you will be missing a class, please let your tutor know the week before if possible
- For last minute cancellations, please phone us on 01296 382403 and we will attempt and get a message to your tutor
If you miss a few sessions without letting us know, our staff will contact you to discuss the situation. If you are having any problems which affect your attendance or learning, please let your tutor know as soon as possible.
When do I pay for my course?
Payment is needed at enrolment to secure your course place. You can pay by cheque or debit/credit card (an administration fee of £30 will apply for dishonoured cheques).
If the course runs for 25 weeks or more you can spread the cost by paying in 3 equal instalments. You will need to pay the first instalment by credit/debit card, cheque or cash at the time of enrolling which will secure your place on the course. We will then send you a Direct Debit mandate. For courses over £150 but less than 25 weeks, you can still apply to pay by instalments.
Fees in the brochure with an * include exam costs. In all other circumstances, except for basic English and Maths learners will need to pay an additional fee for exams. The amount will be shown on the Course Information Sheet (CIS). Our fees are subsidised by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (funding body). Once you have enrolled, you will be given a receipt, a map and a CIS to confirm your place on the course. Please note, an annual £10.50 registration fee applies upon enrolment.
Can I get a qualification?
Look through our course titles and you will see many lead to a qualification. For some of these you have to take an exam.
Can I get a refund?
If it becomes necessary to either cancel or close your course within the first three weeks, for example due to low numbers, we will refund your fees in full.
Where courses are closed after the first 3 weeks, a pro-rata refund will be made to any student attending at the time who has attended at least 80% of their sessions. We will endeavour to let you know as soon as possible and any refund due will be made by crediting your credit/debit card or by cheque. It is not possible to make refunds in cash. All cancellations will be confirmed to you in writing or email.
If you change your mind and wish to withdraw from a course before attending a session, a full refund will be given within 5 days of enrolling. If the request is made at least 15 days before the course begins, a full refund less £25 to cover administration fee will be returned to you.
It may occasionally be necessary, for reasons beyond the control of Buckinghamshire Adult Learning, to change the course tutor, make slight changes to the timing or content of the programme, or move the course to an alternative venue within a reasonable distance of the advertised venue. Refunds will only be given in exceptional circumstances.
Can a course or class get cancelled?
Course cancellation: The minimum number of students for most of our courses is 9. If a class does not reach its minimum number of students, we may cancel the course or offer you the opportunity to reduce the number of weeks with no corresponding reduction in fee, or we may increase the fee to the small group rate of £9.50 per hour as an alternative to closing the class.
Class cancellation: Where a session is cancelled, for reasons beyond the control of Buckinghamshire Adult Learning, for example, if a staff member is unwell or extreme weather conditions, we will try to offer an additional class at another time. We will promptly contact you if this happens. If the majority of the students are able to attend the alternative session then no refund will be given for the missed session.
Bad weather cancellation: In the event of extreme weather conditions, information will be available on local radio station Three Counties Radio, by phoning 01296 382403 and the website.
I am an Overseas learner - Do I need to pay anything extra?
Learners who have not been living in the UK or EU residents who have not been living in the EEA for at least three years will need to pay the Overseas Student Rate for any course which is £12.00 per hour.
What parking is available at my course?
Many of our centres offer free parking but please note that in some cases this may be limited/unavailable during the daytime.
We ask all our learners to park considerately, especially at smaller venues, to avoid causing difficulty or offence to the neighbours. Special parking restrictions will be notified to all learners at venues where they may apply.
For more information on our centres including parking availability please visit our Centre Locations page.
Can I use my mobile phone in class?
Before your session begins, please either switch off or silence your mobile phone to avoid disturbing the group.
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Locations across Buckinghamshire |
Available all year round |
Weeks: (Course Dependent) |
Sessions: Morning, Afternoon & Evening |
Locations across Buckinghamshire |
Available all year round |
Weeks: (Course Dependent) |
Sessions: Morning, Afternoon & Evening |