What is ESOL?

An ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) course is for you if English is not your first language and you want to improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

ESOL courses focus on language skills but also include cultural orientation, employability and citizenship skills. ESOL training courses can use a range of activities and resources to make learning interesting and relevant.

You can choose to attend English (ESOL) classes in person or online.

A combination of both formats is recommended as a way to improve your language skills at a faster pace.

There are a number of English language learning platforms online.

Here are some useful examples:

Learn English Online for Free - Build Your English Skills - FutureLearn

Online volunteer teachers for refugees | RefuNet

The world's best way to learn English - Duolingo

e-Learning - English Online - Dominion Training

There are accredited courses and conversational classes at different levels available for ESOL learners in Northern Ireland. It is important that you complete an official assessment and start at the right level for you.

All 6 Further Education Colleges in Northern Ireland deliver accredited ESOL courses. Please see link below for the College in your area:

ESOL – Part-time – Belfast Met
ESOL – SERC
ESOL (src.ac.uk)
Search Results | NRC Northern Regional College
ESOL classes at the NWR College please email arnold.mcateer@nwrc.ac.uk
ESOL (swc.ac.uk)

Community providers and private schools also offer ESOL classes across Northern Ireland and, via this website, you will be able to search for additional English language provision available in your area. The majority of free classes delivered within the community setting, are only available to adults (over the age of 18).

Further Education ESOL provision delivered by colleges can cater for anyone over the age of 16 (subject to availability of spaces).

Searching for English language training providers and courses:

On this same page, beside the information about the Further Education Colleges, you will find the searching box and different options.

We recommend you start your search by selecting a ‘City/Town’ and scrolling down the options available. Select the location closer to where you live.

To achieve the wider range of results possible per location, you should then click directly onto the blue button called ‘Search Providers’.

If you wish to translate the website into another language, you will find this feature below the ESOL NI logo and just above the searching fields, on the right-hand side of the screen

You should then be directed to a page with a list of providers available in your selected city or town.

You will be able to find out further details on each of the providers listed by:

·         Clicking on each profile name of the ESOL provider /organisation.

This will direct you to the profile page of each English language provider and should give you:

·         Postal address

·         Contact name

·         Email address

·         Phone number

·         Website

·         Image of the building or the organisation’s logo

Below this information, you will see a link to Google maps on the screen showing you the location where you are and the directions to the address of the ESOL providers’ building where the classes take place.

To visualise the map and accurate directions, you should enable location services on your device by following the instructions below:

-          On Windows, enable via Settings > Privacy > Location > Location Services

-          On Chrome, enable via Settings > Advanced > Privacy and Security > Content Settings > Location

In addition, you can like the ESOL NI social network pages where you will find regular updates about English language training opportunities and news in Northern Ireland:

ESOL NI | Facebook

ESOL NI (@esol_ni) / Twitter