Download the latest HALS course guide from our HALS Programme page.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- What are ESOL courses?
- What do we offer?
- Is an ESOL course right for you?
- How to sign up for an ESOL course
- Fees and Funding
- Exam Fees
- Crèche Fees
- Progression
- Further information
What are ESOL courses?
ESOL courses are designed for people whose first language is not English. We offer a variety of courses from pre-entry, beginner courses to Level 2 speaking and listening, as well as a number of employability pathways including Working in Childcare, English for Private Hire Drivers, Intro to Teaching, ESOL and IT.
Each course will help you:
- Develop the skills you need for everyday life in the UK
- Develop your English skills to get a job or improve your work prospects
- Provide you with a qualification in English
- Enable you to progress on to an academic or vocational course
What do we offer?
Courses take place in a range of venues including Wood Green Library, Duke’s Aldridge Academy, Broadwaters Children’s Centre, Risley Avenue and St Mark’s Methodist Church Hall. We offer daytime and evening provision at Wood Green Library, and morning and afternoon classes in our partner organisations.
The classes offered include;
- Level 1 and 2 which are equivalent to GCSE qualifications. Vocational pathways include Working in Childcare, Intro to Teaching, Preparation Courses for Private, Hire Drivers, Working in Retail and Hospitality
- E3 pre intermediate level - eg writing letters, making a job application, explaining a problem to an official (this level is equivalent to the B1 exam for Citizenship)
- E2 Elementary level - eg talking about things that have taken place in the past, giving directions and booking arrangements
- Entry 1 basic beginners level - eg learning to introduce yourself to neighbours, go shopping and speak to the doctor
- Literacy classes for those who have no English language skills
We also offer a range of short provision for those who may only be able to attend once a week. These include:
- Employability workshops including interview skills, cultural awareness and speaking and listening skills
- British Values L1 Certificate
- Reading Club
- Grammar workshops from E1 to L1
Fast Track provision is also available at E3 level. This course is for learners who are able to gain a full qualification in speaking, listening, reading and writing in 18 weeks.
Level 3 Award in Education and Training
If you have a specific specialism or if you speak another language you may be interested in taking our Level 3 qualification with Ascentis in Education and Training. This award meets the entry requirements to work in the post 19 sector. We offer daytime and evening provision.
The course includes a teaching work placement. This course is delivered twice within the year, including Saturday provision. If you are interested in taking this award, please call us to register an expression of interest:
- Tel: 020 8489 2596 or 020 8489 2523
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 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.
Fees and Funding
Eligibility
HALS courses are subsidised by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
To qualify for ESFA funding, you must be:
- Aged 19 or over on the 31 August
- A citizen within the European Economic Area (EEA) / UK national or have a Right of Abode in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the UK / EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning
Fees
We aim to provide accessible and affordable courses. Our main fees categories are: Free (fully funded), Concessionary fee and Standard fee.
Free (fully funded):
This applies to unemployed learners in receipt of one of the following:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), including those receiving National Insurance credit only
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) AND in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG)
- Universal Credit AND earning less than 16 times the appropriate age-related rate of the national minimum wage/national living wage per week or £338 a month (individual claims) or £541 a month (household claims) AND in a Jobcentre Plus work related group: All Work Related Requirements, Work Preparation, Work Focused Interview
You may be entitled to a free course if you meet one of the below conditions:
- In receipt of income support AND earn either less than 16 times the appropriate age-related rate of the national minimum wage a week or £338 (individual claims) or £541 a month (household claims) AND want to be employed or progress to more sustainable employment
- Earn less than £15,736.50 annual gross salary AND cannot contribute to the cost of the course you need to be eligible for co-funding. We will discuss this with you
Concessionary fee:
You may be entitled to a concessionary fee if you are in receipt of one of the following:
- Council Tax Support (means tested)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - Non-Work Related Group
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) /Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Pension Guarantee Credit/State Pension
- Universal Credit (if conditions for a free course do not apply)
- Income Support (if conditions for a free course do not apply)
- Asylum support - holders of ASPEN card (conditions apply)
Standard fee:
This fee applies if you do not qualify for free or concessionary fee.
Fees for International Learners:
We are unable to use ESFA funding if you are an international learner. You will be charged twice the standard fee plus any examination and registration fees. Other costs such as examination resits and materials are charged separately.
Transfers:
If you paid a course fee and the new course has a higher fee, then the balance must be paid in full, or a new instalment plan agreed before your transfer can be completed. If the new course has a lower fee, then no refund will be made.
Paying in Instalments:
For courses costing over £150, you may be able to pay by two instalments. The first instalment is payable at enrolment and the second instalment before the half term.
At HALS, we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to learn and take up the offer of a place, therefore please speak to one of our Curriculum Managers about other options.
Time Credits:
HALS is accepting Haringey Time Credits as payment for some of our courses. Haringey Time Credits offers Haringey residents who are happy to give an hour of their time to a good cause the opportunity to clock-up credits to spend at many local businesses and community organisations. Please ask for a list of eligible HALS courses.
Outstanding fees:
If you fall behind with payment, you will not be enrolled on any further courses at HALS. Any examination certificates will not be issued until the remaining balance is paid.
Ways to Pay
In person at:
- Haringey Adult Learning Service
Second Floor, Wood Green Library
187-197 High Road
Wood Green
N22 6XD - Open Monday to Thursday, 9am-6.30pm and Friday, 9am-4.30pm
We accept:
- Cheque
- Card (Debit/Credit)
- Cash
By phone:
Only available for courses with telephone symbol
- Call 020 8489 2596
- Open 9am-4.30pm
We accept:
- Card (Debit/Credit)
By post:
- Haringey Adult Learning Service
Second Floor, Wood Green Library
187-197 High Road
Wood Green
N22 6XD
We accept:
- Cheque made payable to ‘London Borough of Haringey’
Refunds:
A refund will be given if a course is cancelled or where changes made to the original schedule are unacceptable to you. Fees are not refunded in any other circumstances. No cash refunds are possible. Refunds will be paid through Haringey Council’s Finance Department and this can take up to 30 days.
| 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 |
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 Aldridge Academy, St Marks Methodist Church, Risley Avenue School and Broadwaters Children’s Centre.
Progression
We have a number of progression routes including vocational pathways at Entry 3 onwards.
At Level 1 you will be advised whether to transfer across to L2 Functional Skills, or undertake the ESOL Speaking and listening exam at L2 first. There are also a number of courses to support you into employment or to improve your work skills to gain promotion or to become self-employed.
HALS offers a variety of volunteering opportunities and ESOL learners are encouraged to take up this offer. This includes: Conversation Cafe, Independent study in OLC, Reading Club and Careers Conversations where learners are mentored by employees in a variety of work settings.
Further 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
187-197 High Road
Wood Green
N22 6XD - Tel 020 8489 2596 / 2523
- Email hals@haringey.gov.uk
Page last updated:
Give us feedback about this page
Please note if you have a service issue you need help with then please visit our contact pages.
Overall, how easy was it to get the help you wanted today?
* = response required
HALS opening times (term time only)
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9am to 7pm
- Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
- Friday: 9am to 5pm
- Closed Saturday and Sunday
