Free ESOL Skills for Life: Speaking and Listening course in Birmingham. Evening classes run at South & City College Birmingham Handsworth Campus, so you can fit study around your week. You'll take an English assessment before you start, so the course is matched to your current level. As well as speaking and listening in English, you'll also work on reading, writing, maths, IT, and employability skills. The course runs over one year, part-time.
Who this course is for
At many of our campuses across Birmingham, we have ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses for adults, catered to individual needs and levels that work for you; from Pre-Entry to Level 1 and part-time courses during the day, evening and at the weekends. Our ESOL courses will help to support and develop confidence with English, supported by highly experienced ESOL tutors. As part of the programme you will also be working on improving your maths together with developing IT and employability skills. Classes are designed to support you with English in everyday life and preparing you for work, progression onto further study and employment.
Entry requirements
Depending on your prior qualification will depend on your level of course you are enrolled onto. You should be working towards level 1 but also take an English assessment to find out what your current level of English is in reading, writing, speaking and listening. This will help and your tutor to identify areas that you need to develop and
What you will learn
You'll develop your speaking skills in everyday English situations.
You'll improve your listening skills and understanding of spoken English.
You'll practise reading and writing in English alongside your speaking and listening work.
You'll build maths skills as part of the programme.
You'll develop IT skills relevant to everyday life and work.
You'll practise the English you need to apply for jobs or move into further study.
How you will learn
Classes are delivered in a classroom at Handsworth Campus on an evening, part-time. You'll learn through group activities, tutor-led sessions, and practical speaking and listening tasks. Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Your tutor will use your initial English assessment to identify the areas you need to develop and track your progress across speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. South & City College Birmingham Handsworth Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Receptionist: use English to greet and assist visitors
Customer service assistant: handle enquiries and calls in English
Office administrator: communicate clearly in a workplace setting
Retail assistant: serve customers and work as part of a team
Warehouse operative: follow instructions and communicate on the job
Classroom or school support assistant: support staff and pupils in English
What you could study next
Level 1 ESOL Skills for Life (Reading and Writing): broaden your English skills across all four areas at the same level.
Level 2 ESOL Skills for Life: the next step up, covering more complex English for work and further study.
Functional Skills English Level 1 or Level 2: recognised by employers when they ask for GCSE English or equivalent, and a route into vocational courses.
Vocational qualifications in business administration, health and social care, or childcare: once your English is strong enough to join a subject-specific course.
