ESOL First Steps to Learning

Course Title: ESOL First Steps to Learning

Hours per week: 2 – 5 hours depending on venue

More Course Details: Prospectus List | ontrack: Learner Hub

To Join: How can you join?

Brief course description:

This is a year-long course. It is divided into four parts, and you can join at any time during the year.

You will learn how to read signs, notices, and simple texts. You will practise writing the alphabet, your personal information, and short sentences. You will also learn how to read and spell new words.

In maths, you will learn how to read and write numbers, use money, and do simple sums.

The class is friendly and supportive. You can work at your own speed, and your tutor will help you.

Objectives:

1. Listen and respond to people you know, like your teacher, friends, or family.
2. Ask and answer simple questions about yourself, like your name, age, and where you live.
3. Recognise and say the letters of the alphabet.
4. Hear sounds in words and match them to letters to help you read and spell.
5. Listen for rhyming words and understand simple patterns in sound.
6. Read common words and signs you see every day, like shop names and street signs.
7. Write letters of the alphabet, your name, and simple words.
8. Give and ask for basic personal information, like phone number, birthday or address.
9. Write short sentences using capital letters, full stops and question marks.
10. Count, read and write numbers up to 100, recognise shapes, and do simple maths for everyday life (like counting coins when shopping).

Entry requirements:

This is a pre-entry ESOL class for complete beginners aged over 19 years old.

You are just starting to learn English and you may have little to no literacy.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Feel confident in your English skills.
• Use a pen to write individual letters.
• Identify and name letters.

Equipment required:

Please bring:

• A folder
• Pens & pencils
• Lined A4 paper
• A smartphone (if you have one)
• A reusable water bottle

We will give you the WIFI details in the first lesson.

What courses can I go on to:

This is a four-part course over the year, so each term you can progress onto the next stage.

There are also other courses you can do after or at the same time as this course:

• ESOL For Life and Work Entry 1
• ESOL Entry 1 Speaking & Listening/ Reading & Writing Exam Class
• Digital Skills Courses
• Maths Courses

Please ask your teacher for more information or contact ESOLAdvice@towerhamlets.gov.uk

What examination is there:

There is no examination for this course. You will agree individual learning goals with your tutor which you must achieve by the end of the course.

How will I know I am making progress:

At the start of the course, your tutor will talk with you about which parts of your English you need to practise most and help you create an individual learning plan. Throughout the course, you will have a tutorial meeting to discuss your strengths, areas for improvement, and any problems you may have. You will keep a folder with your work, which will help you review your learning outside of class. Your tutor will give you regular feedback on your class work and homework to help you improve. To make progress, you need to attend all your classes and do work outside of class.

You will lose your place if you miss 3 lessons in a row without telling your teacher or if you miss 4 lessons in total. For once-a-week courses you will lose your place if you miss 2 lessons.

Other info:

You will learn in a friendly and helpful place. The teacher will show you the rules of English. You will work alone and with other students. You will learn step by step, making hard tasks fun and easy. The teacher will also help you one-on-one, so you know how to improve.

Extra support

We can help you if you tell us you have a learning difficulty, disability or other support needs. Please tell us when you enrol or in your first class.