ESOL: Speaking & Listening
Courses In London & Online
Do you want to focus on your speaking and listening, your fluency and your pronunciation? These courses will help you express yourself when talking inside and outside work, in formal and informal situations. You will also understand other people better in conversations or on the radio, internet, TV and films.
What is the best course for me?
You need to do a pre-course assessment. You can also do it online, but a face-to-face assessment is best.
- Online assessment - click ‘Start Assessment’ on the course page
- Or book a face-to-face assessment - call 0204 582 0423 or contact us by email at universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk for an appointment. You can also come without an appointment.
Times:
- Every Monday 12- 2pm
- Every Wednesday 6-8pm
- Every Friday 11am-1pm (23rd August – 6th October)
The courses are FREE to most learners if you earn less than £21,547.50 a year or are on Universal Credit, JSA or ESA (WRAG). They are either in the City Lit building or are live online interactive classes. For online courses, you will need a computer with a microphone, a camera and the internet.
- Everyday English in London (ESOL Entry 1)Course start date: Thu 8 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Start your English journey with confidence! This practical Entry 1 ESOL course is designed for beginners who want to build their English skills for everyday life in London. You’ll learn useful vocabulary and phrases to help you talk about your daily routine, get around the city, visit the doctor, and go shopping.
Through fun and interactive lessons, you’ll practise all four key language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Whether you're asking for directions, filling out a form, or chatting with new friends, this course will help you feel more comfortable using English in real-life situations.
You can join the course 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
Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - Conversation Club
Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Do you speak English as a second language? Do you want to practise your speaking and listening skills in an immersive and engaging environment? Want to practise making good conversation? Would you like to improve your fluency and learn social cues, norms and natural key phrases we use in the English language? The conversation club will allow you to develop your verbal and non-verbal communication skills. You will meet different people on the course and explore different themes and topics.
You can join the course 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
Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - Communication skills: developing your writing, speaking and digital skills through creating a radio programme (ESOL level 1-2)Course start date: Thu 15 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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 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
Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - English communication skills - improve your confidence and fluency when you speak (entry 3-level 1) Course start date: Mon 19 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Do you want to speak more easily and communicate in English without translating from your first language? Do you think too much about what to say or write? Would you like your English to be more automatic? This course will help you become more relaxed when you speak and write English so you can express yourself clearly and confidently without worrying about mistakes. You will build fluency in both speaking and writing, with a stronger focus on speaking.
You can join this course during term 2.
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
Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £104.00 - ESOL - communication skills for life and work -level 1 (Writing) Course start date: Mon 13 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This is the Level 1 ESOL Writing unit to help you build confidence and accuracy when writing in English for everyday, academic, and work-related purposes. At Level 1, you will learn to write clearly, using appropriate tone, vocabulary, and grammar. You will practise writing emails, forms, letters, notes, and short texts such as descriptions, stories, or opinions.
This course runs 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
Full fee £439.00 Senior fee £439.00 Concession £307.00 - ESOL - communication skills for life and work -level 2 (Writing) Course start date: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This is the Level 2 ESOL Writing unit to develop your confidence and ability to write clearly, accurately, and appropriately in different contexts. You will learn how to write for formal, academic, and everyday purposes, preparing you for the ESOL Skills for Life Writing Level 2 exam, accredited by the English Speaking Board (ESB).
The course focuses on developing effective planning, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and proofreading skills, and is ideal if you are aiming to study, work, or live independently in the UK.
This course runs 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
Full fee £439.00 Senior fee £439.00 Concession £307.00 - ESOL: Develop your speaking and listening skills (entry 3-level 1) Course start date: Wed 6 May 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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
Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £111.00 - ESOL and making podcasts: pronunciation, presentation, expression (level 1-2) Course start date: Sun 10 May 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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
Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £85.00
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