Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility for courses

1. What is the minimum age to study with Ealing Adult Learning?

The learner will need to 19 years old before the 1st of August.

2. I have just arrived in London; can I study English?

You may be able to study with us if you have lived in the EEA for a minimum of 3 years and are currently living in London – proof is required.

3. My spouse is British, and I am not, am I still eligible?

You may be eligible if your spouse has a British passport, has been living in the UK for the past 3 years and currently lives in London.

We will need to see:

1. Your passport or Biometric Residence Permit

2. Your spouse’s passport

3. Marriage certificate

4. How do I apply for an English course?

Ealing Adult Learning offers two different types of English courses:

1. ESOL: English Speakers of Other Languages (if ESOL is not your first language)

2. Functional Skills: Aimed at native speakers and this qualification is a foundation course to GCSEs. Please check this with Ljiljana, I think she mentioned this is not correct.

You will need to request an account at https://courses.ealingglobal.net/AvailableCoursesList.asp and then enrol for an assessment for either ESOL or Functional Skills.

5. What do I need to bring with me on the assessment day?

You will need to bring:

  • British/EEA Passport or Biometric Residence Permit

  • National Insurance number

  • UK Qualifications dated two years ago (where applicable)

  • Accepted proof of documents to claim free ESOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tt2mBUGpJY

6. What will happen on the assessment day?

Your documents will be checked and your eligibility for the course will be confirmed.

For ESOL we will assess you on your Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. Once an overall level is provided, we will discuss the course offer (days, dates and venue). Once accepted, your enrolment will be complete upon payment.

For Functional Skills you will complete an online Reading assessment on BKSB (Basic Key Skill Builder) followed by a Speaking and Listening and a Writing task. An overall level will be provided and the suitable course offer (days, dates and venue). Once accepted, your enrolment will be complete.

7. Is there a charge for ESOL and Functional Skills?

There is a charge of maximum £80 per unit for ESOL courses (1 unit = 3 months). Please check with Ljiljana

For each unit you will study Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing.

You will need to provide the relevant documents if you are claiming a free ESOL class:

1. Claim Job Seeker’s Allowance

2. Claim Employment Support Allowance with Universal Credit

(employment income is less than £338 a month)

3. Earn under £20, 962.90 per annum

There is no charge for the Functional Skill courses.

How long are the English courses?

1) Each ESOL unit is 3 months long. The units to study are

  • Speaking and Listening

  • Reading

  • Writing Please check with Ljiljana

2) The Functional Skill courses run twice a week for 6 months

8. What qualification I will receive after my course?

You will receive a certificate qualification from an approved awarding body.

Exams

How many exams would I need to complete to receive an accredited qualification?


  1. For Functional Skills English you will need to sit three exams:

  • Speaking and Listening

  • Reading

  • Writing


  1. For ESOL you will also need to sit three exams:

  • Speaking and Listening

  • Reading

  • Writing

For Functional Skills Maths and ICT there is only one exam.

Certificates

Learners are informed by email when certificate collection dates are being held. Please familiarise yourself with the collection procedure:

  • Bring a photographic ID with you

  • Your certificate collection will take about 15 mins

  • If you are unable to attend someone can collect your certificate on your behalf, bring the learner’s ID and the receiver will have to complete a Receiver Declaration Form

  • If you still cannot attend then you can either liaise with an adult learning team member to arrange a date or wait until the next certificate collection date

  • Your certificate will not be posted

  • Ealing Adult Learning are required to retain certificates for a period of 12 months from the issue date, after the date we will discard your certificate securely and confidentially. Should you need your certificate in the future then you will need to contact the examinations body

COVID UPDATE:

Please note that since the COVID pandemic, the team have been working remotely and are unable to arrange certificate collection dates.

However if you require a confirmation of the course you studied, the team can email you a confirmation letter. Please email adultlearning@ealing.gov.uk to request this.