English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) - 16-18 Year Olds

If you are aged 16-18, this English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course is for you.

ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages. ESOL courses are for people who speak English as a second or other language, and who are resident or permanently settled in the UK. You will also study for a Functional Skills Maths qualification. 

These courses will help you:

• Increase your independence, as well as develop the language skills you need for everyday life, employment and further study
• Improve all areas of your English, whatever your starting level is
• Develop employability skills, so you are ready to find employment in the UK
• Get career guidance about your next steps in education or employment
• Receive lots of tutorial support to ensure you are successful in your course
• Have access to a wide choice of FREE enrichment activities such as sports (including football, cricket, swimming and basketball), arts and crafts sessions, lunchtime workshops, conversation and homework clubs, class trips, talks from inspirational speakers and so much more!

In your programme of study, you will learn:

• Reading skills
• Writing skills
• Speaking and listening skills
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Pronunciation
• Maths
• Digital Skills

You must have been at least 16 years of age last August.

You will be fully assessed at enrolment so that we can place you in the best class for you. 

You will do ESOL exams in Speaking & Listening, Reading and Writing. You will also sit a Functional Skills Mathematics exam. 

Aged 16-18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

If you are aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

You may progress to the next level of ESOL, vocational studies within the College or other opportunities in education including GCSE programmes.

We will discuss these options in more detail throughout your course.

Steven has been a full-time ESOL teacher for 23 years, 20 of those at Westminster Kingsway College. Steven specialises in teaching English to lower-level foreign language learners at Entry 1 and Entry 2. Although Steven cannot claim to be fluent in all languages, they can say that they have taken the time to learn the basic grammar structures and common phrases of many of the languages their students bring to the class to better help them ingest the differences they will encounter when learning English.

Steven has worked as a professional and semi-professional musician and singer for many years and has had great success incorporating their musical abilities into their teaching of ESOL. Steven's classes (so students tell them!) are a lot of fun, and through the medium of song give learners the vital repetition needed to practice speaking and listening whilst ingesting new vocabulary and grammar. Steven's musical lessons were observed in 2022-23 and they were given an 'Excellent Teacher' award.

The teachers listed may change, these shown are an example of the teachers who teach on these programmes.