Entry Level 1 ESOL Skills for Life: Speaking and Listening in Birmingham. Evening classes run at South & City College Birmingham Hall Green Campus, so you can fit study around your week. There are no formal entry requirements. You'll take an English assessment first, so the course starts at the right level for you. The course covers speaking and listening in everyday English situations, including role plays, discussions, and presentations. You'll also work on maths, IT, and employability skills alongside your English. The course typically takes up to 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. There are no formal entry requirements, you will 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 the level of course you will be enrolled onto.
What you will learn
You'll practise speaking English clearly in everyday situations.
You'll develop your listening skills in real-life conversations.
You'll take part in discussions, role plays, and presentations.
You'll build vocabulary and language for work and daily life.
You'll work on maths skills as part of the programme.
You'll develop basic IT and employability skills alongside your English.
How you will learn
Classes are classroom-based and use a mix of individual work, pair work, group work, surveys, role plays, discussions, and presentations. You'll study English through real-life situations. Assessment is continuous, supporting your progress throughout the course rather than through a single end exam.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. South & City College Birmingham Hall Green Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Customer service assistant: uses spoken English daily with customers
Retail sales assistant: communicates with colleagues and the public
Warehouse operative: follows verbal instructions and team communication
Care assistant: speaks with clients, families, and care teams
Cleaner or facilities operative: works in English-speaking environments
Kitchen assistant: takes instructions and communicates in a team
What you could study next
ESOL Skills for Life Entry Level 2 (Speaking and Listening): the natural next step once you complete Entry Level 1.
ESOL Skills for Life Entry Level 3: moves you closer to everyday and workplace English fluency.
Functional Skills English Entry Level 3 or Level 1: combines reading and writing with speaking and listening, and is recognised by employers and colleges.
Vocational courses in areas such as childcare, hospitality, or health and social care: open to you once your English is strong enough.
