ESOL - communication skills for life and work -level 2 (Speaking and Listening)
Time: 18:30 - 21:00
Location: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
This course will be delivered online and in person. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
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- Course Code: ES503B
- Dates: 14/01/25 - 08/05/25
- Time: 18:30 - 21:00
- Taught: Tue+Thu, Evening
- Duration: 30 sessions (over 17 weeks)
- Location: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Course Code: ES503B
Duration: 30 sessions (over 17 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This is the Speaking and Listening unit of the ESOL course to give you confidence in communicating straightforward and detailed information, ideas and opinions clearly, adapting speech and content to take account of the listener(s), medium, purpose and situation. You will improve your fluently and accuracy in extended and varying conversations, responding and contributing on a range of topics. You will also build your vocabulary by learning more sophisticated words for formal settings. You will have the opportunity to hear a variety of accents and varieties of English and be able to apply speaking skills in face to face and telephone situations. Speaking about interesting everyday topics you will practise a wide range of sentence structure and tenses and improve your pronunciation including stress, rhythm and intonation to convey meaning.
This course will be delivered online and in person, and will involve tutor presentation and class discussion. Student preparation and homework outside class times is strongly encouraged. To fully participate in this online class you will need:
- An email address
- A reliable internet connection
- A computer/laptop/tablet with a fully updated browser (preferably google chrome). Your device will need a microphone, and preferably a camera.
What will we cover?
You will practise speaking and listening skills and if you pass your class assessments you will then prepare for the accredited Speaking & Listening exam. Each class will focus on a certain topic such as the news, technology & social media, the world – the UK and other countries, food and health, employment, community – local and global issues, education, consumerism, the arts & leisure time, and travel.
You will focus on:
• Listening for and identifying relevant information from extended explanations or presentations on a range of topics
• Listening to, understanding and following lengthy or multi-step instructions and narratives on a range of topics and in a range of contexts
• Speaking clearly and confidently in a way which suits the situation
• Responding to detailed or extended questions on a range of topics
• Responding to criticism and criticise constructively
• Making requests and asking questions to obtain detailed information in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
• Expressing clearly statements of fact, explanations, instructions, accounts, descriptions using appropriate structure style and vocabulary
• Presenting information and ideas in a logical sequence and providing further details and development to clarify or confirm understanding
• Making relevant contributions and helping to move discussions forward
• Adapting contributions to discussions to suit audience, context, purpose and situation
• Using appropriate phrases for interruption and change of topic
• Supporting opinions and arguments with evidence.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• To provide information
• To seek information, ideas and opinions
• To communicate and share information, ideas and opinions
• To listen and respond to questions, requests, information and narratives
• To listen and respond to requests for explanations and instructions.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a Level 2 course; this course is ideal for you if you can communicate information, narratives, accounts, events, ideas and opinions in familiar and unfamiliar situations. You will need to attend regularly, complete and pass all in class assessments to be entered for the exam.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment with an emphasis on you discovering how to do and complete tasks, with guidance from the tutor. You will learn in a step-by-step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually, so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need a pen, a notebook and/or a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts, worksheets and live media materials such as audio recordings and podcasts.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
If you do not have the qualification already, you can progress on to the next unit, which is writing, Level 2.