English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- What are ESOL courses?
- What we offer
- Is an ESOL course right for you?
- How to sign up for an ESOL course
- Fees
- Progression
- Basic skills courses
- Further information
What are ESOL courses?
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses are designed for people whose first language is not English. We offer courses at all levels. Each course is tailored to help you study at a level that is appropriate for you, and aims to:
- Help you to cope better with everyday life in the UK
- Develop your English skills to improve your employment prospects
- Provide you with a qualification in English
- Enable you to progress to an academic or vocational course
- English classes ranging from Basic Beginners Pre-Entry level to Upper Intermediate level 1
- English classes at different venues, including many community venues, schools and some Haringey Libraries
- Class sizes of no more than 15 people
- Morning, afternoon or evening classes
- The opportunity to develop your speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, computing and study skills
- Citizenship is embedded in most ESOL courses
- Writing skills support classes for students at Entry levels to help them improve their writing and spelling
- A Skills for Life qualification at the end of the course covering reading, writing, listening and speaking
Is an ESOL course right for you?
If you are a citizen of the UK or a country within the European Economic Area, or have lived in either for at least the last three years, then you should be eligible for UK government funding for your ESOL course.
People with certain types of immigration status such as refugee status, discretionary, exceptional or indefinite leave to enter or to remain and their family members are also usually eligible.
How to sign up for an ESOL course
All students must complete an initial assessment so we can work out which course is most suitable.
Come to the HALS reception in Wood Green Library at any time, or call us on 020 8489 2596 / 2523, and you will be asked to fill in a green form and complete a short screening assessment.
You will then be put on a waiting list and contacted soon, via text or email, for a further assessment. We run these assessment sessions at Wood Green Library, at the beginning of each term.
You will be given details of assessment dates by text or email.
Depending on your circumstances you will fall into one of three different fee categories:
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fully funded | You have no fees to pay |
| Co-funded with concessions | You will pay £1.50 per hour, plus any exam fees |
| Co-funded with no concessions | You will pay £3.15 per hour, plus any exam fees |
Which category am I in?
If you receive any of the following the course will be fully funded, so you will not need to pay at all:
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and you are also in a work related activity group (WRAG)
- Income Support
- Personal Independence Allowance (PIP) with ESA
- Universal Credit and earning less than 16 times national minimum wage per week.
When you apply: You will need to show evidence and tick the box saying that you are 'unemployed/working under 16 hours and looking for a job' in the enrolment form.
If the following applies to you, the course will be co-funded with concessions, meaning you will pay £1.50 per hour, plus any exam fees
- Household income under £19,000
For example, this would include:- People who are unemployed on low income;
- People on Universal Credit and not covered in column 1
- People on pension credits/state pension/other benefits with annual household income under £19,000
- Working Tax Credit
Asylum seekers cannot get free courses but HALS may be able to help ESOL learners apply for a grant to cover the concessionary fee.
When you apply: You will need to self-declare by ticking the household income box.
If you receive none of the benefits listed above, and your household income is £19,000 or more, you will need to pay the full cost of £3.15 per hour, plus any exam fees
All learners, with the exception of fully-funded learners, must pay for exams:
- £30 for Speaking and Listening
- £15 for each Reading and Writing
Crèche Fees
We offer crèche facilities at Dukes Academy. A standard charge of £1 per session is made, or 50p per session to those on benefits. Places must be booked and paid at enrolment.
Each level is divided into three stages over the academic year, although students may join a class at the beginning of any term.
Most students remain at a level for a year before progressing to the next. Non accredited courses act as a stepping stones to enable learners to gain the necessary skills to achieve an exam. We also offer a range of additional skills and grammar workshops to support your success and achievement. Once you have reached Level 1, there are opportunities to progress on to other HALS courses, further education, volunteering or employment.
We are extending our courses in improving reading, writing and numeracy in the community. Please contact us for more information.
To discuss your options, book a place on one of the enrolment days or weekly assessment sessions, please contact HALS on 020 8489 2596 / 2523.
Wood Green Learning Centre
2nd Floor, Central Library
High Road
Wood Green
N22 6XD
Tel 020 8489 2596 / 2523
Email hals@haringey.gov.uk
Page Last Updated:
30 April 2018
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