ESOL First Steps to Learning

In this course you will learn how to read social signs, notices, and basic text. You will learn how to write the letters of the alphabet, personal information, simple sentences, and you will develop skills to help you read new words.  

You will also learn how to identify, read, write numbers, and mathematical signs including money and common calculations.  

The class is a supportive one and you will be encouraged to work at your own pace with support from your tutor.

Is a pre-enrolment interview or assessment required for this course?

Yes, you will need to do a pre-course assessment to establish your level of English before enrolling onto the course. 

What level is the course and do I require particular skills, experience or prior qualifications?

This is a pre-entry ESOL class for complete beginners aged over 19 years old. 

You are just starting to learn English and you may have little to no literacy. 

What topics does the course cover?

We will focus on: 

• Learn to listen and respond to familiar people, like family members, friends, and teachers. 
• Practice listening to and answering simple questions about yourself, such as your name and age. 
• Learn to recognise and understand rhyming words to improve your listening and reading. 
• Recognise and read familiar words, signs, and symbols you see every day, like street signs and shop names. 
• Practice writing letters of the alphabet and simple words, including your name. 

How will I be taught and assessed? Will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment.  

The tutor will help you discover rules and features of English. There will be lots of practice. There will be speaking and listening, reading and writing, with different activities and games as well as videos and other recordings.  

You will work in pairs or small groups, and sometimes as a whole class.  

Your tutor will also work with you individually. Everything that you learn will help you in your daily life.  

You will need to do some homework every week.

Are there any other costs or equipment I need to get?

You will need a pen, some lined A4 paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and worksheets and let you know if there are any other resources that you might need to get. 

What will I achieve?

By the end of the course you should be able to: 

• use your English to do everyday tasks such as shopping, travelling, talking to friends and work colleagues.  
• ask and answering basic questions in present simple.  
• describe objects and pictures using simple adjectives.  
• listen for simple details in short basic recordings.  
• use and spell correctly a lot of basic words.  

When I finish, what should I be able to do next?

There are few courses you can do after this course. These include:

• • English Communication skills for Life and Work 
  • ESOL Entry 1 Reading – exam class