Learn Plus Us

ESOL

ESOL for Work

ESOL courses at Learn Plus Us have been specifically designed for unemployed participants who are unable to speak, read and/or write in English or those with a low level of English who would like to attend classes enabling them to communicate effectively with a variety of people.

Employability Skills is a core element of the courses and participants will be supported to develop their job searching as well as interview skills. Our goal is to empower individuals with the skills needed to confidently search for and apply for jobs, and ultimately, gain fulfilling employment.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) 

Why choose us?

  • Our tutors are experts in their field and have many years of experience supporting ESOL students to succeed!  They are dedicated to seeing each learner thrive in work and in life. If anyone is in need of extra support, we provide additional 1-1 support sessions. 
  • We have been working alongside employers and individuals for over 10 years and we are passionate about the role of education in both professional and personal fulfilment.
  • We have an enthusiastic and dedicated team of education professionals, managers and support staff and we are on hand to support you from the moment you come onboard with us.

Course Information: 

  • Typically, ESOL courses run for 8 -10 weeks, 4 days a week. Each class is normally two hours long. Participants will engage in virtual classroom activities with 6-8 other students throughout.
  • Classes are held online via Zoom and they are conveniently​ planned around school drop-off and pick-up times. 
  • Our focus is teaching English for employability, but participants will also gain confidence learning general English and practicing day-to-day communication to help them to flourish in their local communities. 
  • Participants will have a face-to-face initial assessment in a group to help us determine their English level so we can provide them with the right support. We will then place them in a class according to their level of English, so the work is tailored to their needs. 
  • English Functional Skills classes are also available and will be also delivered online on a 1-1 basis or in small groups.
  • ESOL courses are offered at three levels. Once participants have finished, they will have the opportunity to progress further onto the next level. 
  • Participants receive a certificate at the end of the course. 

Meet our ESOL Team

Ava Masheva

Senior ESOL Tutor

Read Ava's bio

My name is Ventsislava but everybody calls me Ava. I was born in Bulgaria and have lived here in the UK since 2010. I speak Bulgarian and English fluently, but I love languages in general and understand quite a lot of Spanish, Portuguese, French, most of the Slavic languages, such as Russian, Macedonian, Serbian and a bit of Hindi and Urdu.

My qualifications include a post-graduate degree in English and American language and culture and Pedagogy, a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) and a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

I’ve been teaching English (all levels of General English, Cambridge exam levels, IELTS, ESOL and Functional Skills English) to people from all over the world, from 5-65 years old, for 24 years and as I haven’t worked as anything else in my life; if at some point English teachers become obsolete, I will have to starve.

Teaching for me is not just a job – it is a vocation, a mission, a quest. There is no bigger reward, in my opinion, than that of seeing your learners progress and achieve their goals!

Curiously enough, teaching was not my career of choice. My dream after I did my GCSEs (or their Bulgarian equivalent) was to become a theatre actress, but I was not successful in this endeavour and was at a crossroads. Incidentally, I became an English teacher at a Secondary school and will never forget my first day at work: I was walking timidly through the corridors, terrified of how I would manage the students, when a little girl, stopped me, looked straight into my eyes and asked, “Are you the new teacher in English?” “I am”, I uttered. “Do you know what happened to the previous one? We chased her away! This is what will happen to you too!” 3 months later, this same girl started bringing me flowers from her garden as a sign of appreciation and respect.

Jelena Karoglan

ESOL Tutor

Read Jelena's bio

My name is Jelena, but my family members call me Jela or Jelly. I was born in Croatia (but will not disclose the year) and have lived in the UK since 2015. My native language is Croatian, but I also speak English, Russian, a bit of German and a tiny bit of Spanish thanks to my Spanish students. I have been teaching English in the UK for around 7 years and I’ve worked with almost all age groups. I hold a master’s degree in English language and literature as well as a Trinity Cert. Teaching for English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) qualification. I was awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in 2019.

I am a big foodie and my biggest weakness is chocolate. My hobby is going to the gym, but only because of the sauna and steam room there. I am a theatre buff and there was a time when I thought of becoming an actor. I am very interested in psychology, and I am intrigued by the process of foreign language acquisition. I am passionate about helping people and if I managed to learn English so can you

 Sandra Cardozo

ESOL Tutor

Read Sandra's bio

My name is Sandra Cardozo, well my full name is Sandra Marina Cardozo Fiquitiva, but everybody calls me Sandra. I was born in Bogota-Colombia, and when I graduated as a bilingual secretary in 2000, my parents sent me to England to study and improve my English for six months. I and decided to stay.

I worked and studied English here in London for 10 years until I perfected the language and got my British citizenship. During that time, I did not only study English, but I also did various business courses including a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an MBA in Business Administration and finance. In 2010 I did a CELTA and I have been teaching ESOL and Functional Skills since then.

I speak Spanish, English, Portuguese, and can go by in French and Turkish. I love languages, I believe they open doors to new opportunities and are also a bridge to meet people and understand other cultures.

In my spare time I love travelling, meeting new people and having fun doing what makes me happy without harming anyone. I also love animals and wish to adopt a kitten soon.

Gab’sile Lukhele

ESOL Tutor

Read Gab'sile's bio

My name is Gab’sile, but most people call me Gabs. I was born in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland. I arrived in the UK as a postgraduate student ages ago. My first language is siSwati and I also speak Zulu and English.

I hold a BA English and Theology, Diploma in Education, MA English Language Teaching for Specific Purposes (ESP) MPhil in Education-Academic Writing in a Global Context and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).

I have taught English at secondary level in Eswatini and across various levels in the UK (EAL primary and secondary, ESOL, EAP, GCSE, and IGCSE). I am passionate about helping new arrivals learn English as it makes integrating to their new community easier and allows access to other opportunities.

In my spare time I enjoy playing/ watching tennis and table tennis. I also like reading and going for long walks in the countryside.

Ifrah Abdi Ali

ESOL Tutor

Read Ifrah's bio

My name is Ifrah. I was born in Somalia and have lived in the UK all my life. I speak three languages fluently: Somali, English, Swedish, and a little German. I have been teaching English for 4 years. I have taught various levels ranging from beginner to advanced, working with learners of all ages. I have a Master’s in the English Language as well as a TEFL certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

I am interested in learning about different languages and my hobbies are reading and travelling. English has always been one of my favourite subjects in school. Hence, I am very passionate about teaching you English and helping you to reach your fullest potential.

Malik Farooq

ESOL Tutor

Read Malik's bio

My Name is Malik Farooq. I am from Pakistan. I moved to the UK in 2005 on HSMP, (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) and started teaching ESOL at colleges in Birmingham. I can speak Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and English fluently and have a little understanding of Arabic.

My qualifications include BA, B.Ed. (Teaching of English), PGD ELT (Postgraduate Diploma in English Language Teaching), M.Ed. ELT (Master of Education in English Language Teaching) from University of Sheffield, and Cambridge CELTA, (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults).

Taught ESL, EFL, IELTS and ESOL in Pakistan, Dubai, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UK for 37 years. I worked for British Council as a Teacher Trainer in Kashmir and Malaysia.

Worked on research projects in ELT (English Language Teaching) and my book titled as, ‘Factors influencing the learning of English as a Foreign Language’ was published in the US and is being used as a reference book by Taiwan University.

I get peace and happiness from my charity work through a UK registered organisation that helps the widows, orphans and extremely poor people in health, education, housing and monthly ration scheme.

Olivia Khanko

ESOL Tutor

Read Olivia's Bio

My name is Olivia. I was born in Baranovichy, a small town in Belarus. I have lived in the UK since 2006. My native language is Belarusian, but I also speak Russian, Polish and English. I am a qualified ESOL tutor with several years of experience in teaching students at all levels and abilities. I have been teaching Functional Skills and ESOL in the UK for the last 12 years.

My qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in English and Pedagogy, a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), a University Certificate in Teaching in Post -Compulsory Education (PGCE).

I place importance in creating an interesting and engaging experience for my students with a focus on their interests and what they want to learn and take from the course. My main goal is to equip all students with all necessary skills to sharpen their communication and interpersonal skills that will help them to increase their job opportunities.

My ESOL lessons focus on building students’ confidence, helping them to feel more connected, included, empowered and less isolated, improving mental health and wellbeing.

Teaching is not my job. It is my passion!

ESOL Scheme of Work

Entry Level 1

What will ESOL at Entry Level 1 cover? 

ESOL at Entry Level 1 is our course for complete beginners. Participants will likely have very little speaking, reading and writing ability in English. Each week we will cover different aspects of speaking and listening, reading and writing, grammar and functions.

Main themes include: 

  • Introducing yourself
  • Daily Life
  • Travelling
  • Health
  • My neighbourhood
  • Past experience and stories
  • Going to work

The Entry Level 1 ESOL course will cover basic speaking and listening skills, including:

  • Introducing themselves and greeting others.
  • Speaking about themselves, their interests, and daily routines.
  • Talking about days, times and months.
  • They will gain confidence travelling, buying tickets, reading timetables and asking for help.
  • They will be able to make medical appointments.
  • They will practise giving and receiving directions and inquiring about opening times.

Reading and writing will cover: 

  • Spelling their name and address and writing about themselves.
  • Filling in forms and understanding words and symbols.
  • Reading about other people.
  • Reading timetables, stations signs and travel arrangements
  • Reading and understanding medical and GP information
  • Reading about a neighbour.
  • Reading about things in the past.

Entry Level 2

What does ESOL at Entry Level 2 cover? 

Participants at Entry Level 2 will have some experience with reading, writing, speaking and listening in English. They may not feel completely confident in their abilities to communicate for work and in day-to-day life. ESOL at Level 2 is also suitable for existing participants who have completed Level 1 in ESOL.

Main themes include: 

  • People’s lives
  • Community news
  • Getting around
  • Education
  • Leisure and free time
  • Changes
  • Looking for work

The Entry Level 2 ESOL course will cover slightly more advanced speaking and listening skills, including:

  • Taking part in everyday conversation.
  • Talking about things they did in the past, meet and greet others, describe people.
  • Listen to travel information
  • Ask for information over the phone
  • Tell others their opinions
  • Discuss hobbies
  • Prepare for job interviews

Reading and writing will cover: 

  • Obtain information from different texts
  • Write about the lives of others
  • Find travel information, problem solve, fill in forms
  • Understand illustrations and plans
  • Write about themselves and their lives
  • Read job advertisements, and fill in job application forms
  • Write a CV

Entry Level 3

What does ESOL at Entry Level 3 cover? 

Participants at Entry Level 3 will have significant experience with reading, writing, speaking and listening in English. They may want to increase their confidence in their abilities to communicate for work and in day-to-day life. ESOL at Entry Level 3 is also suitable for existing participants who have completed Level 2 in ESOL.

Main themes at Entry Level 3 include: 

  • Our lives
  • The health service
  • Getting to know the UK
  • Lifelong learning
  • Working lives

The Level 3 ESOL course will cover advanced speaking and listening skills, including:

  • Listening to the radio
  • Expressing feelings, likes and dislikes
  • Making an appointment over the phone
  • Give advice about health
  • Aquire travel information over the phone
  • Take part in conversations about education
  • Prepare and go to an interview
  • Talk about your skills, and abilities

Reading and writing will cover: 

  • Reading factual information
  • Writing paragraphs using complex sentences
  • Plan, draft and proof read emails
  • Fill in medical forms
  • Plan and write a letter of complaint
  • Write a supporting statement for a course
  • Scan texts for employment opportunities
  • Read health and safety in the workplace documents
  • Read a contract
  • Write a CV

Find out more about ESOL courses

Contact a member of our friendly team below. 

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