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

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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

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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.

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How to sign up for an ESOL course

All students must take an initial assessment before joining a class to ensure they are enrolled on the most appropriate course.

ESOL weekly enrolment days are held at Wood Green Library, 2nd Floor at various times throughout the year - these are by appointment only.

We hold enrolment days at:

• Marcus Garvey Library on Thursdays, 1.30-3pm (term time only)
• St Ann’s Library on Wednesdays, 1.30-3pm (term time only)
• Wood Green Library on Tuesdays (appointments only)

To book an appoint you need to contact HALS reception on 020 8489 2596

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Fees and Funding

Eligibility

From August 2019 our funding is managed by the Mayor of London and GLA (Greater London Authority).

HALS courses are subsidised by the Greater London (GLA) and Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

To qualify for funding, you must be:

• A London resident
• Aged 19 or over (as of on the 31st August 2019;
• 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

If you are a refugee, asylum seeker or have another immigration status, please talk to us. If you live outside of London, please talk to us.

Fees

We aim to provide accessible and affordable courses. Our main fees categories are free, concession and standard.

Free - this applies to Learners in receipt of one of the following:

• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), including National Insurance credit only
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit and earned income from employment (disregarding benefits) is less than £338 a month (individual claim) or £541 a month (joint benefit claim with partner)
• Income Support and earned income from employment (disregarding benefits) is less than £338 a month (individual claim) or £541 a month (joint benefit claim with partner) and want to be employed or progress to more sustainable employment
• Employed or self-employed and earn less than the London Living Wage of £20,962 annual gross salary. 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)
• 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.

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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.

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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 ( refer to PDF format HALS Course Guide)

• 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.

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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 

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Crèche Fees

We offer crèche facilities at Dukes Aldridge Academy, St Marks Methodist Church, Risley Avenue School and Broadwaters Children’s Centre.

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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.

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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

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