ESOL support for Ukrainians
What does ESOL mean?
For many Ukrainians, English language skills can be a barrier in gaining employment. Across the region there is plenty of English language support available to help build confidence. This is usually referred to as English for Speakers of Other Languages, or ‘ESOL.’
There are lots of places in the North East where you can learn English or practice your conversation skills, this is known as ‘English for Speakers of Other Languages’ or ESOL. Classes can be informal groups to help you build your confidence in speaking English or formal classes where you can get a certificate or qualification to show that you can speak English. A certificate can be useful to help you to get ready to work or apply for jobs.
Below there is a list of ESOL opportunities offered by each local authority across the region.
Local Authority ESOL
For information on what each local authority offers, click the button below, where you will be able to find classes and ESOL support within your area. For each ESOL provider that is listed, there is a note to specify who is able to access the ESOL, e.g. “Beginner ESOL for anyone.” If you would like to start learning ESOL, you are encouraged to register your interest by emailing the listed providers or your local authority.
NEMP has also created a guide to provide a centralised place of all the ESOL providers across the Northeast of England so that anyone can easily see what is available within their area and the different existing resources.
If you are unsure which local authority you are located within, click here and type in your postcode. Once you know your local authority area, click on the button for that local authority, and you will see what is on offer within that area. E.g. if it says “Your local authority is Middlesbrough Borough Council,” click Middlesbrough.
Informal ESOL Support
There are many different and informal ways to learn English across the North East, and it is important to try and access both formal and informal English language learning. A popular way to learn English informally would be to join a conversation class.
Conversation Classes
Conversation classes focus mainly on developing speaking and listening skills in English, especially in everyday conversational contexts. The primary goal is to help students improve their ability to communicate in real-world situations, like ordering food at a restaurant, making small talk, giving directions, or discussing topics like weather, hobbies, or current events.
Classes are often interactive, where students participate in dialogues, discussions, and role-playing activities. This may help you to practice real-life conversations and learn how to respond in different situations to improve your fluency. They may be delivered online or in person.
To join a conversation class there will usually be an email address to write to, you could use a translation tool to write your message or you could use the example written in English below.
“Hello,
I am interested in joining your conversation class. Please can you give me some more information on how to sign up and attend.
Thank you”
Other ESOL Resources
Below you will find a list of many other ESOL resources, most of which are free and online. They have been categorised into ‘General ESOL,’ ‘ESOL for Young Children,’ and ESOL for ‘Teenagers (ages 13-17).’ Click the + buttons below to explore the different resources.
- Collaborative learning have various free resources and activities that help promote language practice and conversational skills for all learners including new arrivals
- BBC Learning English – free learning English videos and materials from BBC Learning English.
- Cambridge – Learning English
- ESOL Courses – Free English Lessons Online
- British Council: Learn English Online
- Duolingo – The world’s best way to learn a language – Free resources, available online and on the app store
- The Open University have free online resources for Ukrainians settling in the UK and Ireland
- Flash Academy
- Free printable books for early reading
- LearnEnglish Kids: Free games, stories and activities for children
- Learning Village: Resource for supporting English as an Additional Language (EAL) students between 6 to 16 years old
- Twinkl: Teaching and learning resources to support EAL in early years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
- Badger Learning is publishing 6 eBooks in a dual-language format, with English and Ukrainian text side by side. Suitable for children in key stages 2 and 3
- Language nut English offers free language learning resources for supporting Ukrainians to learn English at school or independently (covers proficiency levels CEFR A1 to B2)
- Future Learn: Free online 4-week course to help people learn basic individual skills
- LearnEnglish Teens: Improve English with reading, writing and listening practice, tips for exams, grammar and vocabulary exercises, and games and videos
- News in levels: Learn 3,000 words in English by reading and listening to news articles at different levels
- Babbel is an online language learning platform offering native Ukrainian speakers the opportunity to learn German, Polish or English through free self-study lessons
Employability Support
If you wish to look at employability support to explore your options to get into work, click the button below to view our Employability support resources for Ukrainians.