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ESOL (English for speakers of other languages)

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

City Lit has a wide range of courses to help you develop your reading, writing, and speaking and listening skills in English (ESOL).

The courses are FREE to most learners. Click into the courses below for more information.

For more information about our live online courses, please see our guide to online learning.

Our offer includes both a year long and short termly courses at different levels.

  • Level 2
  • Level 1
  • Entry 3
  • Entry 2
  • Entry 2
  • Pre-Entry 
  • Maths for ESOL 
  • Conversation Club 
  • Grammar in practice 
  • Writing skills in Practice 
  • ESOL, maths and digital skills for Life 
  • Learn English- learn about London
 
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7 Items

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  1. English communication skills for life and work (ESOL entry 2)
    Course start date:  Tue 15 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Can you have short conversations in English, and read and write simple emails, but want to do more? This course will help you talk, read and write about more interesting subjects and make fewer mistakes so people can understand you, you can understand them and you can read and write important messages, emails, forms and news stories. You will improve your vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. By the end of this three-term programme you will able to interact confidently with English speakers in your daily life. You can join the course at any time.



    You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).



    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 £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £90.00
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  2. English pronunciation: stage 1
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 26 Apr 2025 (and 4 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  David John Gwillim
    Are you a non-native fluent speaker who wants to improve your pronunciation of English and to speak the language more clearly and confidently? Work on clear formation of vowel and consonant sounds including the English neutral vowel and the distinction between voiced and unvoiced sounds. This term the course will be taught in the college.
    Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £181.00
    Rating:
    97% of 100
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  3. English pronunciation: stage 2
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 17 Jan 2026 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  David John Gwillim
    Designed for people who have completed ‘English Pronunciation: stage 1’ although new students with sufficient skills can join. Develop confidence and clarity, explore diphthongs and triphthongs, inflection and the rhythms of Standard English. This term the course will be delivered in the college.
    Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00
    Rating:
    97% of 100
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  4. Grammar in practice: upper intermediate (level 1-2)
    Evening
    Course start date:  Fri 9 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Unsure when to use present perfect or past perfect? Is reported speech still causing you problems? Do you need to practise your conditionals? Join this course and put your grammar into practice in speaking, writing, reading and listening. Gain confidence in using grammar effectively through high level and engaging tasks



    You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).



    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 £119.00 Concession £75.00
    Rating:
    100% of 100
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  5. Communication skills: developing your writing, speaking and digital skills through creating a radio programme (ESOL level 1-2)
    Course start date:  Thu 8 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Do you want to develop your writing and speaking skills? Would you also like to improve your digital skills? On this course you will work on writing, enacting and recording short radio programmes about news items, arts, hobbies, and other areas of interest. By doing this, you will improve your communication skills including emphasising meaning, choosing the right words, speaking and writing concisely with the right tone and creating emotions. You will also focus on your pronunciation and fluency. You will work on how to edit and put together a programme. We hope we can distribute your programme to friendly listeners!



    You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).



    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 £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £70.00
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  6. English communication skills - improve your confidence and fluency when you speak (entry 3-level 1)
    Course start date:  Wed 21 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 be confident you can express yourself in a way people understand and not be worried about making mistakes. You will develop your fluency in both speaking and writing but you will focus more on speaking.



    You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).



    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 £119.00 Concession £75.00
    Add to Compare
  7. ESOL: Learn English and learn about London, its people and your rights (entry 3-level 1)
    Course start date:  Wed 21 Jan 2026

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Do you want to improve your English and learn about London, its history, culture and people at the same time? And also learn about your democratic rights? On this course, you will visit places of interest and learn about the history of these places especially about the different people and cultures who have lived there, and about important events which have shaped the city. You will do your own research and so improve your reading and writing skills as well as your speaking and listening. In addition, you will learn about democratic systems in the UK, your rights and where you can find advice. By the end of the course, you will feel more at home in London and able to participate in its rich and diverse life.



    You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).



    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 £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £90.00
    Add to Compare
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