Find your English class
If you have moved to the UK and want to learn English, follow this link to find an introduction to the kind of classes you can take. You can find out about the different places you can take classes, the level of classes on offer, and some of the language used to talk about English classes. The type of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes you can join depends on your immigration status. You will find a guide here to help you find the right classes for you.
If you are based in Nottingham and you are interested in learning English, you can get free impartial advice about classes from BEGIN – https://sites.google.com/site/beginbyiza/home
If you are on a resettlement scheme such as the Afghan Resettlement Programme, or you already have Leave to Remain in the UK, there is support available across the region. You can follow the links below to find guidance and local services in:
Leicester – West Northamptonshire Charnwood, Leicester City of Sanctuary
Derby – Derby Refugee Forum
Nottingham – Nottingham Refugee Forum
North Lincolnshire – North Lincolnshire Sanctuary Group
You can get ESOL classes and help to find work from the Refugee Employability Programme (REP). In the East Midlands, you can contact: Twin Training.
Upbeat Communities deliver ESOL in Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
If you are based in Nottingham and you are interested in learning English, you can get free impartial advice about classes from BEGIN.
While you are waiting for your asylum decision, you can access free and subsidised English classes such as; Conversation cafes, mixed level ESOL classes (unaccredited) and Community classes.
Most of these classes will be unaccredited, and you will not be able to sit exams to gain ESOL qualifications. If you want to do exam courses or gain qualifications, you are likely to be asked to pay for them.
You can access some community classes and conversation classes immediately, such as these ones at: Northampton Town of Sanctuary, Local Welcome Derby, Open Hands Leicester, Refugee Roots Nottingham or International Welcome Cafe Lincoln.
You will need to be in the UK for 6 months for access to classes funded by the Adult Skills Fund (ASF)
College classes and other accredited courses are likely to be available to you for free after 6 months in the UK.
If you are based in Nottingham and you are interested in learning English, you can get free impartial advice about classes from BEGIN.
Are you a Hong Kong National arriving in East Midlands? Or do you know someone who is? East Midlands Council have developed a Hong Kong Hub on their website. Follow the link to visit the hub and find out all you need to know about settling in East Midlands.
You can access the East Midlands Hong Kong Hub Facebook group here.
If you are based in Nottingham and you are interested in learning English, you can get free impartial advice about classes from BEGIN.
East Midlands Councils and local councils provide information to support people from Ukraine living in our region. Follow the links to access the guidance and services available.
Nottinghamshire County Council
Homes For Ukraine Lincolnshire
North Northamptonshire Council
The Red Cross also provide some useful links for Ukrainians living in the East Midlands:
If you are based in Nottingham and you are interested in learning English, you can get free impartial advice about classes from BEGIN.
Learning English in the East Midlands is managed by MESH – Migrant English Support Hub. It is a sister site to Learning English in Yorkshire & the Humber (LEYH). You can visit LEYH to explore classes in the Yorkshire & Humber region, including those in North and North East Lincolnshire.
You can also visit LEYH for a range of learner-facing resources, including our information resources in topics such as
- Going to University
- Support for Migrant Health Professionals
- Volunteering Resources
Visit Learning English in Yorkshire and the Humber
MESH also manages the related Learning English Plus (LE+) website, funded by Migration Yorkshire. You can visit LE+ for support information and resources for ESOL practitioners and other stakeholders. This includes
- Curated teaching resources
- A regularly updated training directory
- Pathways into ESOL teaching resource
Join our growing list of providers
28 providers registered so far, delivering 66 classes in 52 locations across the region
