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Hackney Adult Learning - ESOL (English for speakers of other languages)

Description

Who are we? 

Hackney's Adult Learning Services Information, Advice and Guidance team offers courses in English for speakers of other languages also known as ESOL.

What do we do? 

We help you find local courses for people who speak English as a second or other language and want to improve their skills in:

  • speaking
  • listening
  • reading
  • writing

What ESOL courses are available in Hackney?

There are a number of free ESOL classes available.
These include Entry 1 classes to Level 1 classes.

Our courses can help you improve your ESOL skills whether you are a complete beginner or would like to continue your studies at college.

What will you learn on the course?

We offer classes to help you if you want to to improve your reading and writing skills AND your speaking and listening skills.

When you take an ESOL class, your teacher will help you to gain confidence so that you can use English confidently in everyday life or at work.

Some classes offer an ESOL qualification with Ascentis.

We also offer bridging courses for you to practice reading, writing, speaking an listening skills without the pressure of a qualification.

The classes also offer a great opportunity to meet new people living in Hackney who have come from different countries around the world.

Where and when do the course take place?

ESOL classes take place at centres across Hackney.
We will help ypu find the best one for you. 

Most classes happen within school hours 9.30am-3pm
This to help parents who may wish to attend. 

All our classes are part-time.
Courses last a year but we do accept new learners until February half term.

How can I apply for a course?

We ask all people who would like to take a class with us to take an initial assessment.
This is so we can put you on the right course and level for your ability.

If you have studied ESOL before and have any certificates please bring these to the initial assessment. This also helps us place you at the right level so you can continue with your learning.

Use the contact details at the top of this page to apply or talk with us on the phone to find out more. 

Record Last Updated on: 25/08/2021

Other Details

Costs

FREE if eligible and after assessment

Referral Details

Classes are funded by the Mayor of London’s Greater London Authority (GLA).
Enrolment for all courses is currently free.

To qualify for free courses, you must be:

  • a Hackney resident
  • a citizen within the European Economic Area (EEA)
  • a UK national
  • aged over 19 on the 31 August 2021 (or the year you wish to begin your studies)

You can also qualify for free courses if:

  • You have settled status
  • Have the right to stay in the UK
  • Have been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK or EEA for at least 3 years on the first day of learning.

If you are a refugee or asylum seeker, or have any other immigration status, please contact us for further information as you may be eligible for funding.

At enrolment, you will need to provide eligibility for public funding and if you are unsure of what evidence to bring, please contact us.

Examples of evidence include:

  • A passport showing that the holder is a British citizen, or has the right of abode in the United Kingdom for example a biometric residence permit.
  • British birth certificate with another photo ID such as driving license.
  • Proof of benefits for example a letter from Job Centre Plus, dated within last 3 months and stating the entitlement of working age benefits such as: Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit (UC)

What to do if you have a complaint

How you feel about having used or experienced a service is important. Services often ask for feedback to help them understand how to make sure people they work with have a good experience.

If you have feedback about this service, something you liked or were not happy with, you can talk to the person who worked with you or, if you feel more comfortable, a service manager. They will try to help sort out any problems.

If you are still not happy with the service you can raise your concerns formally. This means someone who is not part of the service will look at your feedback or concern and see if anything can or needs to be done to help make things better.

If you need to make a formal complaint you can use the London Borough of Hackney complaints procedure.

 Send Email Visit Website 020 8356 5055

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Disclaimer-important information about the Hackney Local Offer

Hackney's Local Offer website is a free and impartial service provided by the London Borough of Hackney in partnership with the NHS, local education, health and community services. The information contained within the website is available for the purposes of identifying services and provision that may be available to children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

This information does not represent a recommendation or an endorsement of a Service or Provider and neither does the London Borough of Hackney or its partners make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy of the information. Anyone seeking to use or access a service or provision is responsible for undertaking their own checks to determine the suitability and fitness for purpose of that service and provision. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including, without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damages whatsoever arising from use or loss of use of data or profits arising out of or in connection with the use of the Hackney Local Offer.

Some providers will be registered and inspected by external agencies, such as Ofsted or the Care Quality Commission. Anyone working with children and young people will be required to have appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service Check (the replacement for the Criminal Record Check), safeguarding policies and insurance in place, which they should make available to you on request.

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