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English - ESOL

We are a strong team of 20 ESOL teachers with over 200 years of teaching experience who understand and care about ESOL students and their needs. We know how to make you learn as much English as possible, so we use a wide variety of teaching techniques to make learning fun.

Our English evening courses run in semesters with different enrolment dates. (See course dates, separately). While at Harrow College, you will learn a lot of important skills and can take a wide range of qualifications in some or all the subjects listed below*:

• Speaking and listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Maths

  • Entry requirements

    Before you enrol, you will have an interview and a test with one of our tutors to help us decide what level is right for you. This is nothing to worry about, we just need to make sure you are enrolling on the correct course. You will need to bring to the interview your previous certificates and details of any courses you have completed so far.

  • Who is the course for?

    We offer a wide variety of levels throughout the year which are ideal if you wish to improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills and, gain nationally recognised qualifications to evidence your ability.

    Good communication skills in English will make it easier for you to make friends, study other courses, find a new job, take your first step into employment, work as a volunteer or help your children and/or others in the community.

    At Harrow College, our students do more than ‘just’ English, so all our evening courses also include a qualification in maths.
    (
    Check separate courses for further details.)

    We offer various courses for different levels and areas of English ranging from beginners’ level for people with no English to Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3 and Level 1. With regular enrolment points during the year, we always try to find a course for new applicants throughout the year.

    Our part-time evening classes run on Tuesday and Thursday evening from 18.30 to 21.00.

    Free English Courses for Students over 19:

    If you are ready to enrol on a full-time or part-time ESOL course and you earn below the the annual London Living Wage of £20,572.50 (£16,009.50 if you are an outer London resident) your tuition fees will be free!

    Please note: you will need to provide evidence of your earnings (wage slips or a current contract with details of your earnings) when you come to enrol and there may be other costs you do need to pay for, depending on your course.

  • Study methods

    • On average, 5 hours per week, in the evening.
    • Homework.
    >> e-learning/directed self-study.

  • How is the course assessed?

    You will be regularly assessed during your course and receive feedback to help you develop the skills required for the final assessment whether an exam or a portfolio of your work.

  • Where Next – Job Opportunities

    Gaining an ESOL/English qualification will enable you to take a more active part in the community, find a new job, take your first step into employment, work as a volunteer or be able to help and support your children throughout their education.

  • Where Next – Further Studies

    We are very proud of our ESOL and basic skills students. Last year, our students achieved over 3,000 qualifications with an overall achievement rate of 93.8% (well above national average). The majority of our students continue studying at Harrow College.

    A successful outcome will enable you to progress to the next level up and other further study such as Functional Skills English and/or Maths, GCSE English and/or Maths, Access courses etc.

  • How to apply

    To apply for a course either click the APPLY NOW button - fill out the form online and submit

    OR download an application form here and post it to the address on the form.
    When we have received your application we will contact you to arrange an interview time.

Course starting Mar 2025

Starts 10 March 2025

Duration 13 Week(s)

Location Harrow on the Hill Campus

Days/Time Monday-Friday
09:30 - 14:00