Level 1 Speaking and Listening

Course Title: ESOL Level 1 Speaking and Listening

Hours per week: 5

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Brief course description:

This is an 18-week, Level 1 Speaking and Listening exam course.

You will practise using English confidently in a range of real-life situations, such as at work, in education, and in your community. You will take part in discussions, give presentations, listen to longer talks, and use more complex grammar to express yourself clearly.

Topics will include work and careers, education, health and wellbeing, current events, travel, and community issues. You will also practise giving clear explanations, developing arguments, and supporting your ideas with examples. By the end of the course, you will be able to adapt your language for different audiences, respond appropriately in both formal and informal situations, and listen for key points and details in a variety of spoken texts. You will also be ready for your Ascentis ESOL Skills for Life Level 1 Speaking and Listening exam.

Objectives:

Listen for key points and details – Understand main ideas and details from longer talks, presentations, and discussions, such as workplace briefings or community meetings.
Take part in formal and informal discussions – Contribute to group conversations on topics like workplace safety, local events, or education, taking turns and responding appropriately.
Ask and answer questions confidently – Use open and closed questions to give and get information in different settings, such as interviews, customer service situations, or at the doctors.
Give a clear presentation – Prepare and deliver a short talk on a topic you know well, such as a cultural tradition, a local issue, or a personal achievement, using a clear structure and appropriate vocabulary.
Use language for different purposes – Adapt your language to make polite requests, give advice, make offers, agree or disagree, and give opinions in both formal and informal situations.
Support your opinions with examples – Give reasons and examples when explaining your opinion or making a suggestion, for example, in a meeting or group discussion.
Plan and arrange activities – Work with others to plan an event, project, or trip, using future forms and clear organisational language to agree dates, times, and responsibilities.
Follow and give detailed instructions – Understand and give clear, step-by-step instructions for tasks such as using equipment, following workplace procedures, or giving travel directions.
Recognise and use features of spoken English – Use stress, intonation, and linking words to make your speech clear and easy to follow and understand these features when listening to others.
Use a range of grammar accurately in speech – Use present, past, and future forms, conditionals, and modal verbs accurately to express yourself clearly in a variety of contexts.

Entry requirements:

This is a Level 1 ESOL class, so your English should be at intermediate level or above. You can already talk and write about everyday topics and areas of personal interest. You can use a range of tenses and language structures fairly accurately but may need more practice with complex structures to express yourself clearly and confidently.

Equipment required:

Please bring to every lesson:

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.

If you do not have a smart phone or a computer, speak to your tutor.

You will also need a personal Gmail account to access the Google classroom, which will be used for submitting coursework and accessing course materials. If you do not have a Gmail account speak to your tutor.

What courses can I go on to:

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

ESOL Level 1 Reading & Writing Exam Class
ESOL Level 2 Speaking & Listening Exam Class
Introduction to Functional Skills English Level 1/2
Functional Skills English Level 1/2
Functional Skills Maths Level 1/2
Becoming Confident in Digital Skills
Digital Skills Entry 3/Level 1

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

What examination is there:

You will complete the Ascentis Level 1 Speaking and Listening exam in class with your teacher and classmates.

Task 1: Listening – Listen to three recordings and answer written questions on main ideas, details, and instructions.
Task 2: Conversations – Take part in both formal and informal role-plays in small groups.
Task 3: Presentation and Discussion – Give a short presentation on a process or event, followed by a group discussion. You will get your topic 4 weeks before the assessment.

These tasks are part of your course and take place during class time, so regular attendance is essential.

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.

If you miss 3 lessons in a row without telling your teacher, or if you miss 4 lessons in total, you will lose your place on the course.

Other info:

One of our aims is to help you progress in work or further study, and to take an active role in your community. In our Level 1 classes, you will develop skills that employers value and that are useful in daily life:

Communication Skills – Speak and write clearly and confidently in different situations.
Decision-Making – Make good choices by thinking about different options.
Teamwork – Work well with other people.
Problem-Solving – Find solutions to problems at work and in everyday life.
Time Management – Plan your time well, set goals, and meet deadlines.

By improving these skills, you will increase your chances of finding a job, developing your career, and playing an active role in your community.

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.