English (ESOL) classes in London
Learning English can help you to make friends, get a job, get a better job, help your child with homework, talk to your doctor, child's teachers and neighbours, prepare for further or higher education and qualifications, and lots more. In the UK, English classes for adults are called 'ESOL classes'.
ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages. There are lots of different types of English classes in London, from beginner level to advanced.
Some courses will have examinations, others will not. Some courses will offer childcare while you learn, or ESOL online. Others will offer classes in the evenings, weekends or inside school hours, so you can learn even if you have a job or need to collect children from school.
Find an English class near you
Use the maps below to find a course. Formal English classes will usually help you work towards a qualification. Informal English classes will usually help to build your confidence and improve your well-being.
Resources for referral organisations
Find out what resources are available in your area to support the sign-posting and referral of people with English language needs to suitable provision.
If you are supporting people arriving on the UKRS, ARAP, ACRS, Hong Kong BN(O) Scheme, Ukraine Family, Sponsorship or Extension Schemes, or people seeking asylum, other refugees or other people seeking sanctuary who have British citizenship, find out whether they are eligible for the different ESOL funding streams in London using our PDF summary eligibility tables.
For detailed guidance, including an overview of the different resettlement schemes and immigration routes, bespoke ESOL funding, an overview of ESOL and detailed information on funding streams, how to secure or commission provision and how to cater for childcare needs, please refer to our English Language for Resettlement guidance.
For a thorough overview of all there is to know about ESOL and resettlement in London, read the whole document.
Otherwise, use the contents tool on the right to jump to the most relevant sections.
You can find information about Covid-19, health, domestic violence, schools, housing and lots more in community languages at the GLA's Language Hub.
If you regularly support Londoners with English language needs, the GLA’s monthly ESOL newsletter is an easy way to keep up to date on ESOL-relevant news, funding, training, partnership and job opportunities in the sector. It includes interesting case studies, and ESOL course vacancies and progression opportunities for learners.
Resources for providers and funders
Through a monthly ESOL newsletter, City Hall supports formal and informal ESOL providers and organisations supporting people with English language needs ESOL-relevant news, funding, training and job opportunities in the sector, and course vacancies.
In addition, we regularly collect and share case studies on innovative practice in the sector which promotes cross-sectorial working, partnership working and improves access to English language provision for London's diverse communities.
The Mayor's ESOL Plus programme funded innovative pilot projects in London that overcame barriers to ESOL provision for Londoners with English language needs, and promoted cross-sectoral working.
Click the button below to find out more about how City Hall is supporting the sector.
City Hall, as part of the London Strategic Migration Partnership, leads on improving local and regional coordination of ESOL provision in London.
Find out more about GLA commission research, ESOL mapping, our ESOL Census map, and guidance and resources on ESOL coordination models in London and elsewhere, or subscribe to the ESOL newsletter to keep up to date on ESOL-relevant news.
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