ESOL for beginners
Our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses are an excellent choice if you want to improve your English skills to get more out of life in the United Kingdom, progress to further study, or improve your job opportunities.
Course Summary
Course Information for Students
Who is this course for?
If English is not your first language and your English skills are stopping you making progress in your life in the United Kingdom, an ESOL course are a good choice for you. You may be newly arrived in the United Kingdom, have not studied English before, or perhaps only studied English for a few years in your home country.
Entry Requirements
Before classes start, you will have an interview and take an initial assessment. Based on your skills, we will place you into the correct level class to help you progress quickly and smoothly.
What will you learn?
An ESOL course at our College can help you to improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
Lessons are topic based (e.g. the alphabet, greeting, everyday vocabulary and activities) and each lesson includes all the skills.
What you will study at each level:
- Beginner: Basic communication skills, starter vocabulary and simple grammar.
- Intermediate: More complex sentence structures, expanded vocabulary and improved comprehension.
- Advanced: Advanced grammar, nuanced vocabulary and fluency in various contexts.
You will develop vital English skills which will help you in everyday life – making it much easier for you to talk to doctors and teachers, to help your child with their homework, and to understand the laws and customs of the UK.
How will you learn?
Your Derby College Group experience will be interesting and rewarding. All lessons take place in the classroom with your teacher. You’ll enjoy group work, role plays, tutorials, and guest speakers. Our supportive staff have extensive experience teaching English to students from around the world.
The beginner course is a one-year course from September to July. Beginner students can join at different times during the year.
Classes start at the pre-entry (beginner) level and progress up to Level 2 and are held in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings. You’ll learn at your own pace, studying with your teacher for six hours per week in either two three-hour classes or three two-hour classes.
Our ESOL classes are taught in the heart of the community at the St James Centre, at three college campuses (The Roundhouse, The Joseph Wright Centre, and Ilkeston), and at a community venue in Sinfin. These classes are in some of the most culturally diverse areas in Derby.
What will you need to bring with you?
You will need to bring a pen, some lined paper, or an exercise book and a folder to keep your work in.
How will you be assessed?
During the term you will have regular tasks, homework and tests to complete to check your progress.
Where next?
When you pass your course, you can progress on to the next level of ESOL.
Who do you contact for more information?
For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk
Course Information for Employers
Information for Employers
Career Information
DCG Success Stories
Discover how our students have achieved success. Their hard work and dedication to learning has enabled them to succeed in rewarding careers or progress onto higher education.
We encourage progress and aspirational outcomes by guiding people onto learning pathways that lead to positive destinations. Our students have gone on to achieve great things since leaving the College. We would like to share some of their inspiring success stories with you.
Course Information Last Updated On: August 21, 2025 8:12 am
