English communication skills for life and work (ESOL entry 1)

What is the course about?

This is a year long course divided into three parts. You can join at any time of the year. You will learn English for everyday life and work. You will practise reading, writing and speaking and listening. You will practise asking and answering basic questions in present simple, present continuous (and common past simple forms) about simple everyday topics and personal information. You will talk about simple everyday topics for a short time e.g. the home, family life, friends. You will describe objects and pictures using simple adjectives. You will listen for simple details in short basic recordings. You will practise writing short simple sentences about people and things using present simple, continuous and past simple. You will write short simple notes, messages, emails and letter to family or friends. You will practise using capital letters, question marks and full stops and writing clearly. You will practise finding information in notices, simple adverts, forms and texts. You will learn a lot of basic vocabulary and the spelling.

What will we cover?

You will practise reading, writing and speaking and listening. Each class will focus on a certain topic such as life in the UK, daily routine, healthy living, jobs, shopping, transport and different cultures. We will focus on:
• asking and answering basic questions in present simple, present continuous (and common past simple forms) about simple everyday topics and personal information
• talking and writing about simple everyday topics e.g. the home, family life, friends
• describing objects and pictures using simple adjectives
• listening for simple details in short basic recordings
• writing short simple sentences about people and things using present simple, continuous and past simple. writing short simple notes, messages, emails and letter to family or friends
• using capital letters, question marks and full stops
• writing clearly
• finding information in notices, simple adverts, forms and texts
• learning a lot of basic words and their correct spelling.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Over the three courses you should be able to:
• use your English to do everyday tasks such as shopping, travelling, talking to friends and work colleagues
• ask and answering basic questions in present simple, present continuous (and common past simple forms) about simple everyday topics and personal information
• talk and write about simple everyday topics e.g. the home, family life, friends
• describe objects and pictures using simple adjectives
• listen for simple details in short basic recordings
• write short simple sentences about people and things using present simple, continuous and past simple
• writing short simple notes, messages, emails and letter to family or friends
• using capital letters, question marks and full stops
• write clearly
• find information in notices, simple adverts, forms and texts
• use and spell correctly a lot of basic words

By the end of this course you will also have improved your digital skills through use of Google Classroom, the internet and Microsoft Word.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an Entry 1 Beginners course (A1). This course is ideal for you if you have little or no English and want to learn in a relaxed environment. Before this course, you need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 7492 2511 or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment. The tutor will help you discover rules and features of English. There will be lots of practice. There will be speaking and listening, reading and writing, with different activities and games as well as YouTube videos and other recordings. You will work in pairs or small groups, and sometimes as a whole class. Your tutor will also work with you individually. Everything that you learn will help you in your daily life. You will need to do some homework every week and use Google Classroom outside the class.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a pen, some lined A4 paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and worksheets.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

This is a three part course so each term you can progress to the next stage.
There are many courses you can do before, at the same time or after this course. These include:
• ESOL, maths and digital skills - for life and work (entry 1-entry 2)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (entry 2)

For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.