What is the course about? 

Do you want to feel more confident and fluent when speaking English? Our Focus on Conversation classes are ideal for people living and working in London who want to improve their communication skills and focus on speaking  

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 course is ideal for those who want to gain additional skills in English and improve their confidence in speaking. You can be at Entry 3 or Level 1 

What topics does the course cover? 

We will speak about, read and listen to many different topics to help you improve your communication skills and self-expression. You will also participate in role-plays and improvisation tasks. You will improve the skill of carefully listening to others and contributing to healthy and interesting discussions. 

This will include:  

• Listening and responding to familiar people in the context of straightforward and personal context  
• Exploring topics from a range of perspectives, which may include: life in the city of London, likes and dislikes, shopping, home, family and friends, culture and creativity, health, education and skills, nature and the environment, the weather, travel and transport, training and work life, local history and landmarks, food and cooking, money, interests & hobbies, technology & AI, the global community, government & politics, social issues 
• Identifying key points in a conversation and learn how to exchange information effectively  
• Learning useful phrases for different types of verbal communication depending on the situation  
• Some activities will include developing your reading skills, note taking or writing things down 

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

• You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment.  
• 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 practise using English in real-life situations and may be asked to complete short tasks at home. Digital tools may be used to support your learning. 

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: 

• Ask and answer questions about your life in London 
• Talk about yourself and your community 
• Speak using present, past and future tenses 
• Compare historic and modern times 
• Read interesting and creative texts such as short stories, poems, articles, profiles and narratives 
• Discuss written texts such as stories, emails, text messages, adverts, posters, notices, flyers, etc. 
• Feel confident in your English and comfortable to not feel worried about making mistakes 
• Correct yourself and others when the focus is on speaking accurately 
•  Build confidence to continue learning and engaging with others  

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

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

• ESOL Focus on Grammar L1 – L2 
• Ascentis ESOL Level 1 or Level 2 – reading