English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Overview

• 16-18 (Full-time), Adults (Part-time)

Details

Will the course give me what I want?

Course content

This is a one-year course - it will help you to improve your English. It will give you skills for work and business and it will help you to improve your Numeracy & IT skills.

What have students who have taken this course in the past progressed to?

Other courses at the College at Level 1 and above.

How will I learn?

You will learn in classrooms, IT rooms and in the Learning Resource Centres. You’ll be provided with a wide range of resources that are tailor made for your needs. You’ll be given homework after each session. Each student will need to meet group and individual targets. You’ll meet your Course Tutor regularly to discuss your progress.

How will I be assessed?

There will be regular tests and assessments.

Equipment and other costs

None

What qualification do I get on completing this course?

ESOL Skills for Life at Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3

Where have students gone to after completing this course?

BTEC Level 1

Is there additional work required by the student?

You’ll need to spend between 4 and 8 hours per week outside the classroom on your homework, assessments etc.

Awarding Body

Entry Requirements

What qualifications or skills do I need to show I have before I can enrol?

None.

Expected prior knowledge

None

English level

None

Mathematics level

None

Support

Further Education Fees

All our Further Education (FE) courses (Entry to Level 3) are free to EU residents who are under 19 years old on the 31st August 2023. For a few courses you may be expected to contribute towards the cost of specialist materials and resources. However, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial help from the College’s Learner Support Fund. You should apply for any such financial support as soon as you have been offered a place. If you are aged 19 or over on 31st August 2023 and you are a UK/EU resident you will normally be required to pay a course fee.

How much will my course cost?

The cost of your course will include tuition fees and examination fees, where applicable. Where a course requires additional specialist materials, there may be an additional cost. Some courses are cheaper than others because they are part funded by the government; some of these courses may also attract concessionary fees for some people.

19+ Advanced Learning Loan

If you are aged 19+ or over and studying a Level 3 course, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learning Loan. To be eligible for this loan, you must have been living continuously in the UK for 3 years immediately before the start date of your course. You must also be undertaking a course of study that is at Level 3 or above, e.g. National Diploma/Certificate etc. For more information click here.

Fee remission/concessionary rates

Concessionary rates are now available for learners that meet the following criteria:

• Entry to Level 1 courses may be free for 19-23 year olds who do not already have a full Level 2 or above qualification*
• Entry to Level 1 courses may be free for 24+ year olds who are unemployed or meet low wage criteria
• Full Level 2 courses may be free for 19-23 year olds who do not already have a full Level 2 or above qualification*
• Full Level 2 courses may be free or 24+ year olds who are unemployed or meet low wage criteria
• Full Level 3 courses may be free for 19-23 year olds who do not already have a full L3 or above qualification*. 

For more information on fees and remission click here.

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

If you are on a low income you may be eligible for financial support towards tuition fees from the Discretionary Learner Support Fund. 

For further information click here.

Childcare

Financial support to help with childcare

Care to learn - childcare support for young people aged 16-20

If you are aged under 20 at the beginning of your course, or moving to the 2nd year of a level 3 course, and are caring for your own child you may be entitled to £175.00 maximum per week, per child through Care to Learn. 

Please ensure you register on the Care to Learn website even if you haven’t chosen your childcare provider or the course you want to study.  Once you have registered Care to Learn will confirm financial support in principle.

For further details and help with making an application please visit https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or speak to a Student Advisor.

Childcare support for people aged 20+

Financial support towards the cost of nursery, childminder, breakfast clubs and after-school clubs.

If you are aged 20+ when you start a course and need financial support to help with the cost of childcare while you study the college may be able to help.

You will be required to make use of any government NEF or 2+ Funding before requesting any financial support from the college.

It is essential that you speak to a Student Advisor prior to enrolling on a course to discuss your personal circumstances, childcare needs and to find out if there are funds available.

Eligibility for help with childcare costs is based on your personal circumstances.

General eligibility criteria:

• Aged 20 and over
• Considered a home student for fee purposes
• Fully enrolled on a programme of study funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency  or in receipt of a 19+ Advanced Learning Loan
• Discussed and had confirmation of funding for childcare support before enrolling

Financial eligibility:

 You need to have evidence that you meet general discretionary Learner Support Funds or 19+ Advanced Learning Loan bursary fund criteria:

• on a low income / a dependent of someone who is on a low income or in receipt of a means tested benefit e.g. Income Support / Jobseekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, housing benefit etc.

When looking for childcare please be aware:

• all childcare providers must be OFSTED registered
• any 2+ or 3+ government funding must be used by the student. Only additional hours needed for study will be funded by the College.
• childcare will only be paid for days when you are attending College or a mandatory work placement.
• students on full-time courses will be a priority for childcare funding.
• childcare places will be subject to a contract between College/student/nursery.
• childcare payments are made subject to students reaching 85% attendance on a monthly basis.

All childcare applicants approved for funding will be required to sign our Terms & Conditions and MUST inform the College immediately should they stop attending lessons for any reason.

Email learner.services@cwc.ac.uk to put your name on the childcare waiting list.  You MUST speak to a member of the Student Advice or Learner Services team before you enrol on a course.