Introduction to ESOL for new migrants
If you’ve moved to the UK and want to learn English, the type of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes you can join depends on your immigration status.
This guide helps you understand:
- What kind of ESOL classes you can join
- Whether the classes are free or paid
- Where to find support near you
We know that this can be confusing. That’s why we’ve made this guide based on different types of status, so you can find the right information for you. We’ve included real examples of classes in Yorkshire and Humber, including some that are open to everyone. From this page, you can click through to the landing page for each immigration status, and from there you can access the specific resources for each immigration status to get started.
Are you new to the UK and want to improve your English?
This short video will help you understand:
- What ESOL means (English for Speakers of Other Languages).
- Where you can take ESOL classes in Yorkshire and the Humber.
- The different types of classes in community centres, colleges, and adult learning centres.
- Whether the classes are free or come with a qualification.
Whether you’re an asylum seeker, refugee, a new migrant or BNO, this video will help you understand your options and get started with learning English. If some of the language is not familiar, scroll down to keywords for support with this.
Understanding English Levels
This table shows how ESOL qualifications match up with other ways of measuring your English, like CEFR levels and IELTS scores.
- CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is used by the UK government to check your English level for things like citizenship. For citizenship you usually need B1 level.
- IELTS is a test often used for university or other study in the UK.
Use this table to understand where you are now, and what level you may need in the future
What classes can I take? Answer the questions below and follow the link that is right for you...
Here you will find some keywords used to talk about ESOL classes. All of the words listed here are used in the video at the top of this page. You can find the words listed with their meanings, plus an example sentence to show how they are used in talking and writing about ESOL. If you click on the audio links you can check your pronunciation if each keyword.
We'd love to hear your feedback
We’re always looking to improve content on our website, and would love to hear your feedback. Please do fill out this very quick feedback form to tell us what you think of this feature.
The MESH team will consider your feedback and use it to develop our offer.
Many thanks.
