English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL)
ESOL courses for adults living in Hampshire
Adult Tailored Learning offers English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) courses to adults age 19+ where English is not your first language.
These courses will help you to:
- improve spoken and written English skills
- progress towards formal learning or employment
- improve your health and wellbeing (including mental health)
- develop stronger communities
Courses
Pre-Entry / Entry 1
This class is aimed at beginners with little, or no English. It is suitable for learners who may use a different alphabet – a non-Roman script e.g. Arabic, Bulgarian or Japanese.
You will learn basic vocabulary and to read a variety of short texts and recognise some common words. You will learn to write short sentences in English, fill in forms and spell some common words. You will start to become more confident in speaking.
From Pre-Entry / Entry 1 you will have the option to progress to Entry 2.
Entry 2
This class is for learners who can introduce themselves, describe their daily routine and their likes and dislikes.
You will learn to read longer texts and be able to identify the purpose of various texts. You will start to use past and future tenses and will learn to write short letters and emails. You will be able to engage in short forms of social communication.
From Entry 2 you will have the option to progress to Entry 3.
Entry 3
This class is for learners who can talk and write about events in the past, present and future. They use adjectives in sentences to give more information and able to use formal language appropriately.
You will develop more advanced writing skills enabling you to use more formal vocabulary to write longer letters and emails.
From Entry 3 you will have the option to progress to Level 1.
Level 1
This class is for learners who can write accurately about events in the past, present and future and can hold a conversation at an advanced level.
You will be able to communicate confidently, taking part in discussion and expressing your opinions and point of view. You will have a wider vocabulary and be able to spell a range of words accurately. You will be able to read and understand complex texts and comment on what you have read.
From Level 1 you will have the option to progress to a Functional Skills English course. You also have the option to progress to our other ESOL specific courses.
Employability Skills for ESOL learners
This course will support individuals in receipt of unemployment support benefits and who do not have English as their first language, to explore routes into employment in the UK. The course will include basic employment requirements in the UK, how to write a CV and complete an application form using English language for employment purposes.
ESOL - Introduction to Job-seeking in the UK
Would you like support to create a CV targeted to your chosen career? Would you like to find out where and how to look for work in the UK? Would you like to know what to include in an application form? This course will help you explore routes into employment in the UK, understand basic employment requirements in the UK and learn how to write a CV and complete an application form using English language for employment purposes.
ESOL - Introduction to English Driving Theory
Would you like to increase your vocabulary and written English skills further about road signs, road markings, hazards and laws for driving in the UK? Would you like to develop your confidence to apply for the UK Driving Theory Test?
This course is a progression opportunity for intermediate to advanced ESOL learners to develop your English skills further so you can apply for the UK Driving Theory Test. The course will develop your confidence to be able to access and complete the online theory test.
ESOL - Life in the UK
This series of free online courses are a perfect progression opportunity for ESOL learners to gain knowledge about life in the UK. These short courses will cover the main topics in the ‘Life in the UK’ Citizenship Test and will include UK History & the Monarchy, British Values, Principles & Citizenship, British Customs & Traditions and UK Government, Democracy & Laws.
Accredited ESOL – Reading
This online accredited ESOL course is learners who would like to achieve a nationally recognised qualification in English. This qualification gives learners the competence and confidence to use their English skills in their studies and employment and other areas of their life. It will give the learner the knowledge and skills to be able to:
- read, understand and obtain information from short, straightforward chronological, continuous descriptive, explanatory texts from everyday sources
- respond to written straightforward information, narratives, explanations and instructions from everyday sources
Attendance
We expect all learners to be punctual and attend 100% of classes.

Now I can better support my children’s learning and development.
Apply and further information
To apply for an ESOL course, complete our simple, online application (with translation options):
Adult Tailored Learning - ESOL application form
For further information on any of the courses on this page, complete the enquiry form:
Adult Tailored Learning - Adult Community Learning enquiry form
Alternatively you can email your enquiry to [email protected], giving your name, email address and postcode.
We are not permitted to provide specific financial or benefit advice to individuals.
To search for other Adult Tailored Learning courses, press the link below:
Eligibility Criteria
To join our free government-funded ESOL courses for 2024/2025, you need to be over 19 years old, live in Hampshire, and have been a permanent UK resident for at least 3 years. You also need to have permission to live in the UK (not just for education) or have pre-settled or settled status under EUSS.
You might not need to meet the 3-year residency requirement if you:
- have refugee status or humanitarian protection
- have discretionary leave to remain
- are a stateless person
- have leave outside the immigration rules
- are part of the Ukraine or Afghan schemes
- have indefinite leave to remain as a bereaved partner or victim of domestic abuse
- have other specific types of leave to remain
Asylum seekers can also get funding if they’ve lived in the UK for 6 months or more while waiting for a decision, or if they are receiving local authority support. If an asylum seeker has been refused but has appealed, they can get funding if no decision has been made within 6 months of the appeal.
For full funding rules for 2024/25 please see: Adult skills fund: funding and performance management rules 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK
It helped me to feel more confident.