This course is specially designed for learners whose first language is not English but who want to improve their English language skills to help them get on in their jobs, education and community life. This course is designed to help learners settle into life in the UK, understand the English culture and be able to take part in everyday life with more confidence and independence. The ESOL with Citizenship course can also help people who want to apply for British Citizenship.

Our course lasts for one academic year. It starts in September and finishes in June. All our ESOL courses have an exam at the end of the year. This exam is the internationally recognised Cambridge Skills for Life Certificate in ESOL. The cost is £150 for the year and includes some learner materials and exam entries. There is exemption from fees if you receive means-tested benefits.

The exam covers three mode/skill areas

1) Reading

2) Writing

3) Speaking and Listening

All the above skill areas are carefully designed and crafted into learning programmes at five distinct levels.

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Level 1

Level 2

Before entering the course learners are invited for an interview and an assessment with specialist staff who will not only give you the opportunity to show your language skills to date but will also allow you to chat about your own specific needs on the ESOL course.

The right class for you

As an ESOL learner, you will be placed in a suitable class for your current level of understanding. None of our classes are mixed level classes so you can be sure that you will be with others learners of a similar level to you. In your class, specialist , qualified and experienced teachers will plan your learning with you and help you to gain the skills you need to get on in the UK and to help you pass your exam and achieve your individual learning goals.

Additional Support

If our learners need that little bit extra to help them build their skills, we have Additional Learning Support to help them on their way. It's a teaching and learning partnership that we are very proud of and our exam results support the effectiveness of this partnership.

Enjoying the good things in life

Our teaching staff are sensitive and supportive to the diverse needs of our learners who are often trying to settle down in the UK and that's why the staff organise social and educational events to help learners make new friends and experience some of the enriching, enjoyable and rewarding activities we offer here at Cardinal Newman.

The ESOL department organise coffee mornings to give learners the opportunity to meet with other English people and chat in a casual and friendly environment. Visits to museums, the job centre, the theatre, the cinema and coffee shops, as well as annual ESOL trips are just some of the ways we involve and engage our learners in experiences outside of the classroom.

Caring and planning for your needs

We are very proud to offer Women only classes to learners who feel more comfortable in same gender groups. Our women only classes are very successful and always full.

We also offer evening classes to cater for learners who have full time jobs but who want to improve their English language skills for everyday life, to improve their job prospects or enable them to get a qualification to help them enter Higher Education.

As you can see, we have a lot to offer our learners and are proud to say that our learners contribute a great deal to Cardinal Newman.

Here's what some of our learners say about Cardinal Newman:

"The teacher is very friendly and gives attention to every student in my class"

"Lessons are very interesting and I'm learning quick"

"My favourite time during the lesson is when we speak with people from different countries"

Applying for the course

There is an application form to complete. You can request a form by phoning 01772 460181 ext 2206 or emailing admissions@cardinalnewman.ac.uk. Forms are also available from Reception in the St Augustines's New Avenham Centre where we hold our classes.