North of Scotland

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

You can take a variety of ESOL courses in community centres, colleges and universities across the North of Scotland. 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. For contact details for your local council, click here.

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

The Workers' Educational Association (WEA) offers pre-intermediate ESOL classes at a range of venues across the North of Scotland. In Aberdeenshire, City of Aberdeen, Moray and Highland, WEA are running a pilot project to support ESOL in the workplace. To contact them telephone 0131 2263456.

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 North of Scotland 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 the North of Scotland 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
Aberdeen College	01224 612000	All levels	ESOL is provided in the community, but according to need, both part-time and full-time. Intermediate is offered at Garioch Community Education Centre. Full-time students have the option to sit Cambridge ESOL examinations if they wish.
Banff and Buchan College	01346 586100	Beginners and Advanced	Evening classes are run by the college in the community, as needed. Also a one year, full-time, college-based course.
Inverness College	01463 273000	All levels	College provision goes from elementary courses to advanced. Beginner courses are provided by Community Outreach – Adult Basic Education and Workers’ Educational Association. The college specialises in Cambridge courses, but only offer part-time courses.
Lews Castle College	01851 770000	All levels	The college offers flexible classes depending on local needs. They would provide classes in the workplace if required, but do not currently do this.
Lochaber College	01397 874000	Beginners to Intermediate	A Beginners’ course is offered by college; other courses are provided in the community through Highland Council.
Moray College	01343 576000	All levels	From Beginners to Advanced and option to take Cambridge Certificates. Classes are provided if there is sufficient demand. Evening classes, part-time, on the Elgin campus.
The North Highland College	01847 889000	Access 2 to Higher	The college offers Access 2 and 3, Intermediate 1 and 2, and Higher, all SQA certificated. It runs part-time (flexible learning) day and evening classes. They are based in Thurso, but run classes throughout the Highlands.
The Robert Gordon University	01224 262200	From Intermediate	The University offers two pre-entry programmes, one in summer and one in autumn. There are also in-sessional courses for students wanting to improve their English. The levels achieved are those required for undergraduate or postgraduate study at the University. The University does not offer community provision.
Shetland College	01595 771000	Beginners to Upper Intermediate	Campus and Community Outreach provision. One-year course from Beginners to Intermediate. Also non-certificated drop-in provision is offered.
University of Aberdeen	01224 272000	From Intermediate	The University offers Cambridge First Certificate and Advanced English and also a full-time Foundation Course. The University does not offer community provision, but offers a general English evening class.