ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

This course is for beginners who only know a few words in English. You will learn new words, simple grammar, how to ask and answer questions, and how to talk and write about yourself, your family, and your friends. You will also learn how to fill in forms and write short emails.

You can join the course during terms 1,2 or 3.

You need to do a short test before joining.

Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 8078 0489

This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here

Do you need help with your grammar? Do you want to understand verb tenses and ask questions with good pronunciation and correct grammar? This course will teach you the essential grammar you need to speak and write well. You will focus on when to use present simple, present continuous, and past simple. You will practise asking and answering questions using words like do, does, is, are, and did correctly and clearly. By the end of the course, you will have a strong foundation for your English learning.

You can join the course during term 3.

You need to do a short test before joining.

Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423

This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here

Unsure when to use the present perfect or past perfect? Still finding reported speech tricky? Need more practice with conditionals? This practical grammar course will help you put your grammar into action in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Through engaging topics and interactive activities, you’ll learn to choose the right form for the right situation, express yourself clearly, and sound more natural. Ideal for upper-intermediate learners who want to polish their skills for work, study, or everyday life.

This course runs during terms 2 and 3.

A pre-course assessment is required before joining.

Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423

This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here

Have you been learning English for years but feel stuck with your writing? Are you a confident speaker who struggles with formal communication? This course will release you! This course is designed to help you break through those barriers. You’ll focus on improving the structure of your writing - from full texts to paragraphs and sentences - while deepening your understanding of grammar. The skills you develop will also support more formal speaking tasks, such as job interviews, workplace meetings, and presentations. Ideal for those who feel comfortable speaking English but want to build confidence in their writing and formal communication.

You can join the course during terms 1 and 3.

You need to do a short test before joining.

Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423

This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here

Do you want to understand English better and feel more confident when speaking? This course will help you improve your listening and speaking skills so you can follow conversations, enjoy TV and films without subtitles, and feel relaxed when talking to people. You will learn useful techniques to hear important words, understand how words join in speech, and recognise stressed and unstressed sounds. These skills will make English clearer and help you speak more fluently.

You can join this course during term 3.

A short test is required before joining.

Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423

This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here

Is your grammar holding you back? Enhance your communication skills by exploring, analysing, and experimenting with advanced English grammar. This course will help you understand that grammar is not just about rules—it's about meaning. You'll learn to interpret others more accurately and express yourself more clearly and effectively.

This course runs during terms 1 and 3.

You need to do a short test before joining. Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423

This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here

Do you want to develop your writing and speaking skills while also improving your digital skills? In this interactive course, you will write, present, and record short radio programmes on topics such as current news, arts, hobbies, and other areas that interest you.

Through this creative process, you will build confidence in your communication skills—learning how to emphasise meaning, choose the right words, speak and write concisely, use an appropriate tone, and create emotion in your audience. You will also work on pronunciation, fluency, and editing techniques, and you will gain hands-on experience in putting together a complete radio programme. We hope to share your finished programme with friendly listeners!

You can join this course during term 3.

A pre-course assessment is required before joining.

Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423

This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here

Are you quite confident about your everyday English? Can you go shopping, talk about simple subjects, and write emails or letters - but still make some mistakes? Do you find it hard to speak, read, or write about more difficult subjects?

This pre-intermediate course will help you improve your speaking, listening, reading, and writing. You will learn to understand people more easily, talk about most daily topics with more than one person, read short, simple texts like emails and news stories and write different types of sentences and check your own work effectively.

You can join the course during terms 1,2 or 3. You need to do a short test before joining. Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423

This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here

Do you want to improve your English while exploring London? This short course helps you develop your English skills through discovering London’s rich history, diverse cultures, and fascinating people. You’ll visit key places around the city, learn about their past and present, and explore how different communities have shaped London. You’ll also carry out your own research, helping you improve your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. By the end of the course, you’ll feel more confident using English and more connected to the culture and life in London.

This course runs during terms 1, 2 and 3.

You need to do a short test before joining. Contact: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or call 0204 582 0423

This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here