Fife and Tayside

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

You can take a variety of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses in community centres, colleges and universities across Fife and Tayside. The course you choose and where you study it will depend very much on your language needs and your present circumstances. Click here for general information about English for speakers of other languages.

Most colleges offer ESOL courses at a variety of levels, from beginners through to advanced or proficiency. The table below gives an indication of how ESOL levels might compare with other English language qualifications.

SCQF level	School/FE qualifications for English language skills	ESOL SQA qualification levels	Commonly used ESOL levels	Cambridge exams*
7	Advanced Higher		Proficiency	CPE
6	Higher	Advanced	Advanced	CAE IELTS 6/6.5
5	Credit: Standard Grade Intermediate 2	Intermediate 2	Upper Intermediate	IELST 5/5.5
4	General Standard Grade Intermediate 1	Intermediate 1	Intermediate	IELTS 4.5
3	Foundation Standard Grade: Access 3	Access 3	Pre-Intermediate	PET
2	Access 2	Access 2 Access 2 – Literacies	Beginners/ Elementary	KET
1	Access 1

* CPE: Certificate of Proficiency in English; CAE: Certificate in Advanced English; IELTS: International English Language Testing System; PET: Preliminary English Test; KET: Key English Test.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) gives more information about the standards of English language qualifications.

Different educational institutions use different terms to indicate the level of ESOL courses they offer: always check directly with the institution.

There are several different systems for assessing and examining levels (such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English and the Scottish Qualifications Authority Standard Grade English). Before enrolling on an ESOL course, you will be offered a test to assess your current English language skills to make sure that you are placed on the appropriate level of course. The level of the course will depend on the system used by that particular institution.

What sort of ESOL course and where?

If you are just beginning to learn English, classes run by your local authority are probably the best place to start. They offer courses and individual tuition to adults who want to improve their English for everyday communication, work purposes or to progress into training or education. Your local library or community learning centre can provide you with information about classes being held near where you live. Click here for contact details for your local council.

To find your nearest library or learning centre, visit the Scottish Library and Information Resources website.

The Workers' Educational Association (WEA) offer pre-intermediate ESOL classes at a range of venues across Fife and Tayside. Telephone 0131 2263456.

Fife Council provides an ESOL service for anyone living in Fife whose first language is not English. It offers courses and individual tuition to adults who want to improve their English for everyday communication, work purposes or to progress into training or education. To contact Fife Council, telephone: Central 01892 583342; East 01334 659363; West 01383 602359.

For ESOL community provision in Angus, call Freephone 0800 0275525.

In Perth and Kinross, information about ESOL provision can be obtained from the ‘Education’ section of the Council. To contact them telephone 01738 476200 or email ecssbu@pkc.gov.uk.

ESOL staff are based at Opportunity Centres and many of the ESOL courses are delivered through the centres. For more information on ESOL courses, speak to an adviser at your nearest Opportunity Centre. For further information about the Opportunity Centres, visit the FifeDirect website (find 'Opportunity Centre' in the A-Z section).

Dundee City Council, through the Mitchell Street Centre, provide ESOL facilities for adults whose first language is not English and who are living in this country or will be staying here for a number of years. Classes are offered to suit learners' needs and deal with speaking, reading and writing in English for everyday tasks. There is a free crèche facility for children between the ages of 1 to 5 years whose parents are attending the classes. Telephone 01382 435808. The classes are at various levels from beginners to pre-intermediate. There are separate classes for women and men, as well as mixed classes. For further information telephone 01382 435808.

The Perth and Kinross Adult Literacies Partnership provides a list of community learning bases.

What questions should I ask?

The table below provides a brief outline of ESOL provision at Scotland's Colleges and higher education institutions within the Fife and Tayside area.

For more detailed information, contact individual institutions to find out about:

• the different levels of ESOL course available
• whether it is open to all, or only to students registered, or about to register, with that particular institution
• whether it is full or part-time
• whether it is held during the day or evening, or as a summer school
• whether the course is available off-campus at a location in the community
• how long the course lasts
• the cost and whether you might be eligible for funding for course fees

Several of the universities in Fife and Tayside have an ESOL unit. Some university-based ESOL courses are specifically designed for students who have already enrolled there, or who are about to begin their undergraduate studies. This also means that these courses tend to start at intermediate level, rather than beginners' level.

ESOL courses at Scotland's Colleges and higher education institutions

Institution	Telephone	Level	Information
Adam Smith College	0800 413280	Beginners to Advanced	The college run full- and part-time courses in Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes, but may expand provision to learning centres around Fife.
Angus College	01241 432600	Beginners to Pre-Intermediate	Beginners, Elementary and Pre-Intermediate one-year full-time courses. Part-time evening classes. All SQA certifications. ESOL tuition continues throughout studies, if courses taken at college. Also offer Cambridge quick placement test to help determine the level of students’ English. September enrolment. There is provision in the community.
Carnegie College	0844 2480115	Elementary to Intermediate	ESOL support for existing students. Evening classes for external students; there are plans to provide day classes in the future.
Dundee College	01382 834800	Beginners to Advanced	General English, both full- and part-time (part-time day and evening classes). Also Summer School (from 2 to 5 weeks). Cambridge examinations and IELTS testing are available. There is provision in the community.
Elmwood College	01334 658800	Beginners to Upper Intermediate	Courses start throughout the year and attendance is flexible. Classes are held at the main campus in Cupar. There is provision in the community.
Perth College	01738 877000	Beginners to Advanced	Community provision is run by Perth & Kinross Council, in partnership with College. It is free to students, who start from beginner level. The College offers 5 levels, from Elementary to Advanced. The evening classes are commercial and usually have three levels: Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced. Students can be entered for Cambridge ESOL examinations. Help is available with IELTS provision for those who are interested in university entrance. There are a limited number of free/funded places available on full-time courses for EU students.
University of Abertay Dundee	01382 308000	Intermediate to Advanced	Pre-sessional courses for students with offer of place (summer). English for Study, free language help during study at the University. Also English Language Preparation Programme, full-time, for students who need to develop their academic language. There is no provision in the community. Click on ‘English Language Help’ then on ‘Pre-sessional Programme for International Students’.
University of Dundee	01382 383000	Intermediate to Advanced	The University runs an English Language Programme for international students and an English Support Programme, open to non-students. Both programmes prepare for IELTS exams above 5.5. There is no provision in the community. Click on ‘Prospective Students’ then on ‘International Students’ and choose ‘Language Requirements’.
University of St Andrews	01334 476161	Intermediate to Advanced	The University runs a pre-sessional course in English and Study Skills, leading to IELTS level 6-6.5. There is no provision in the community. Click on ‘Prospective Students’, then on ‘International Students'.