Listed below is our most up to date information on the wide range of ESOL services across Lewisham, including both formal exam-based courses and free, non exam-based community classes. 

You can also download/print the information below here: ESOL Classes-Factsheet

ESOL (English) classes in Lewisham

There are ESOL classes for people who are complete beginners at speaking or writing English up to qualifications for British Citizenship. Anyone can apply for ESOL courses – your immigration status does not matter.

 Qualifications or informal classes?

Some classes have qualifications. These are at a College or adult education centre and are more formal, with homework and exams.  Classes without exams may have more English conversation. You can do both types of class to improve your English more quickly.

You’ll need to find the right standard for you. With exam classes you need to do a test (assessment) first to find out which level is best for you. For informal classes, you can usually try a class and also talk with the teacher before or after.

EXAM BASED CLASSES 

Adult Learning Lewisham

For age 19+ at Brockley Rise, Grove Park and Granville Park in the centre of Lewisham.

Levels from pre-entry to Level 2 plus Trinity preparation. Classes are 5 hours a week, either 2 mornings, 2 afternoons or 2 evenings.

Cost is £150 a term for pre-entry level, £225 a term for accredited courses including exam. You may get reduced or no fees if on certain state benefits. For more information, contact Stefania Quaresima on 020 8314 7184.

Adult Learning Lewisham also offers free non-exam Community ESOL courses (COMESOL) up to Entry Level 3. These are online and at local community centres, schools and children’s centres. Some COMESOL courses offer a free creche. They are 4 hours a week for 10 weeks and are stepping stones on to accredited ESOL. For more information, call Adult Learning Lewisham on 020 8314 3300.

Lewisham College, Lewisham Way, SE4 1UT

There are exam and non-exam classes. Most classes are free. Levels from pre-entry to Level 2.  Exams include GCSE, Functional Skills English and Maths and vocational qualifications.

ESOL / ESOL & maths

ESOL evening

ESOL / ESOL and vocation studies

13 hours per week

various days (3)

9.30-2pm / 2.30pm

6 hours per week

Tuesday & Thursday

6-9pm

13 hours per week

Various days (2)

9.30-2.30pm

There are specialist classes in Pronunciation, Speaking & Listening and Creative Writing on Tuesday evenings and classes in English for people looking for work in accounting; teaching assistant; health and social care; office work.

To apply: https://www.lewisham.ac.uk/courses/esol-english-and-math or attend a regular open event (see website). Courses start September and February.  Assessments and interviews are in June to September (and January for February courses)Contact the college to find out more on: 020 3757 3000. If you have trouble applying for the course online, you can go into the college and ask at reception where they will help you apply. The college address is: Lewisham Way, London SE4 1UT

Details of finances are at: https://www.lewisham.ac.uk/help-support/fees-and-finance

 

Non-exam classes are free.

ESOL Beginner / Basic Literacy / Pre-entry

Date

TimesLevelWhereOrganisation

Other details

Monday

     

Monday

11:00am – 12:00pm

Pre-Entry/Entry 1

Zoom

Good Heart Social Club

Register here: https://forms.gle/6QAyp7EcZ9Aokzrb7

Tuesday

1pm – 3pm

Beginners / Entry 1

Torridon Road Library

Helen Nicholas

literacy

Tuesday

1-3pm

Beginners – level 3

WG Grace Centre, 1 Lions Close, SE9 4HG

Adult Learning Lewisham

Free. Mixed.

Wednesday

1pm-2:30pm

Beginners/Pre-entry

New Cross Gate Trust (max. 4 students)

New Cross Gate Trust

Learners must attend assessment before joining.

Assessment Times: Tuesday 4pm-5:30pm

Wednesday 6:30pm

Thursday

11:am – 12

Beginners

Zoom

Groundwork

Joshua.schneider@groundwork.org.uk / 07912 274 858
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/hubs/london/projects/together/  

Friday

1:30-3pm

Pre-entry

The Bear

The Bear

PLEASE CONTACT MAUREEN 07748 132624

me.biddiscombe@btinternet.com

iain@thebear.tv 

The class is ideal for parents who have pre-school children as there are plenty of activities in the room to keep them busy while mum or dad learns.

Please just come along on a Friday at 1pm to register, and then join in with our friendly class!

Friday

10:30am – 2pm

Beginners/Pre-entry

New Cross Gate Trust (max. 4 students)

New Cross Gate Trust

Two classes back to back, with a 20 min break in the middle.

Learners must attend assessment before joining.

Assessment Times: Tuesday 4pm-5:30pm

Wednesday 6:30pm

 

ESOL Entry 1 / Elementary

DayTime

Level

WhereOrganisation

Other details

Monday

1pm – 3pm

Beginners / Entry 1

Torridon Road Library (max. 4 students)

Helen Nicholas

literacy

Monday

1-3pm

Beginners-Level 3

WG Grace Centre, 1 Lions Close, SE9 4HG

Adult Learning Lewisham

Free. Mixed

Tuesday

10am – 12pm

11.30am – 12.30pm

Entry 1 /2

The Point

The Point Catford

Must register for the first or second class

Tuesday

1:00pm – 2:30pm

Entry 1

New Cross Gate Trust (max. 4 students)

New Cross Gate Trust

Learners must attend assessment before joining.

Assessment Times: Tuesday 4pm-5:30pm

Wednesday 6:30pm

Tuesday

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

 

Zoom

Together South

Need to be registered before being able to join.
Contact Joshua on
07912 274 858 / Joshua.schneider@groundwork.org.uk

They also offer weekly one-to-one sessions

Thursday

10am-12noon

 

Telegraph Hill Centre

Ângelo Tiago Barros

To book a place call
020 76390214 or email office@thcentre.com

Friday

2:00pm -3:30pm

Entry 1

New Cross Gate Trust (max. 4 students)

New Cross Gate Trust

Learners must attend assessment before joining.

Assessment Times: Tuesday 4pm-5:30pm

Wednesday 6:30pm

Friday

1:30-3pm

Entry 1/2

The Bear

The Bear

PLEASE CONTACT MAUREEN 07748 132624

me.biddiscombe@btinternet.com

iain@thebear.tv 

The class is ideal for parents who have pre-school children as there are plenty of activities in the room to keep them busy while mum or dad learns.

Please just come along on a Friday at 1pm to register, and then join in with our friendly class!

Friday

10am – 12pm

Entry 1 /2

The Point

The Point Catford

Must register for the first or second class

 

 

ESOL Entry 2 / Pre-intermediate

Day

What Time?

What Level?

Where?

Who? School/Teacher

Other details

Monday

1-3pm

Beginner-level 3

WG Grace Centre, 1 Lions Close, SE9 4HG

Adult Learning Lewisham

Free. Mixed

Tuesday

4:00pm – 5:50pm &

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Entry 2

New Cross Gate Trust (max. 4 students)

New Cross Gate Trust

Learners must attend assessment before joining.

Assessment Times: Tuesday 4pm-5:30pm

Wednesday 6:30pm

Second class is conversation.

 

    

 Contact Maureen on 07748132624         me.biddiscombe@btinternet.com

Tuesday

10am – 12pm

11.30am – 12.30pm

Entry 1 /2

The Point

The Point Catford

Must register for the first or second class

Wednesday

3:00pm – 4:30pm

5:00pm – 6:30pm

Entry 2

New Cross Gate Trust (max. 4 students)

New Cross Gate Trust

Learners must attend assessment before joining.

Assessment Times: Tuesday 4pm-5:30pm

Wednesday 6:30pm

Second class is conversation.

Thursday

10am – 12noon

Entry 2 / Entry 3

Torridon Road Library (max. 4 students)

Helen Nicholas

reading and writing

Thursday

10am-12noon

 

Telegraph Hill Centre

Ângelo Tiago Barros – centre manager

Sandra – Tutor

Women Only, sociable class, mixed levels, entry – intermediate.

To book a place call
020 76390214 or email office@thcentre.com

sandra@endersbytraining.com

Friday

10am – 12pm

Entry 1 /2

The Point

The Point Catford

 Contact Maureen on 07748132624      

me.biddiscombe@btinternet.com

Friday

1:30-3pm

Entry 1/2

The Bear

The Bear

PLEASE CONTACT MAUREEN 07748 132624

me.biddiscombe@btinternet.com

iain@thebear.tv 

The class is ideal for parents who have pre-school children as there are plenty of activities in the room to keep them busy while mum or dad learns.

Please just come along on a Friday at 1pm to register, and then join in with our friendly class!

Friday

10am-12noon

Mixed Levels

Torridon Road Library (max. 4 students)

Helen Nicholas

Conversation

The Library isn’t always open on Friday, so if wish to attend the class and you find the front door is closed. Go to the left hand side of the building to the black gate. Ring the bell and someone will open for you. Helen Nicholas 07876340793

 

ESOL Entry 3 / Level 1 / Intermediate

Day

What Time?

What Level?

Where?

Who? School/Teacher

Other details

Monday

13:30pm – 15:00pm

Advanced

On Zoom

Groundwork

Joshua.schneider@groundwork.org.uk / 07912 274 858
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/hubs/london/projects/together/  

1-3pm

Beginner-Level 3

WG Grace Centre, 1 Lions Close, SE9 4HG

Adult Learning Lewisham

Free. Mixed.

3pm – 4pm

Entry 3

 

New Cross Gate Trust

 

Tuesday

4:00pm – 5:50pm &

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Entry 3 / Level 1

New Cross Gate Trust (max. 4 students)

New Cross Gate Trust

Learners must attend assessment before joining.

Assessment Times: Tuesday 4pm-5:30pm

Wednesday 6:30pm

Second class is conversation.

Wednesday

3:00pm – 4:30pm &

5:00pm – 6:30pm

Entry 3 / Level 1

New Cross Gate Trust (max. 4 students)

New Cross Gate Trust

Learners must attend assessment before joining.

Assessment Times: Tuesday 4pm-5:30pm

Wednesday 6:30pm

Second class is conversation.

Wednesday

11am-12non

 

Zoom

Together South

Need to be registered before being able to join.
Contact Joshua on
07912 274 858 / Joshua.schneider@groundwork.org.uk

They also offer weekly one-to-one sessions

Thursday

10am-12noon

Entry 2 / Entry 3

Torridon Road Library (max. 4 students)

Helen Nicholas

Reading and writing

Thursday

10am-12noon

 

Telegraph Hill Centre

Ângelo Tiago Barros – centre manager

Sandra – Tutor

Women Only, sociable class, mixed levels, entry – intermediate.

To book a place call
020 76390214 or email office@thcentre.com

sandra@endersbytraining.com

Thursday

13:30-14:30pm

Intermediate

Zoom

Groundwork

Joshua.schneider@groundwork.org.uk / 07912 274 858
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/hubs/london/projects/together/  

Friday

1:30-3pm

Entry 3

The Bear

The Bear

PLEASE CONTACT MAUREEN 07748 132624

me.biddiscombe@btinternet.com

iain@thebear.tv 

The class is ideal for parents who have pre-school children as there are plenty of activities in the room to keep them busy while mum or dad learns.

Please just come along on a Friday at 1pm to register, and then join in with our friendly class!

Friday

10am-12noon

Entry 2 / Entry 3

Helen Nicholas

Helen Nicholas

Conversation

The Library isn’t always open on Friday, so if wish to attend the class and you find the front door is closed. Go to the left hand side of the building to the black gate. Ring the bell and someone will open for you. Helen Nicholas 07876340793

English Conversation Social Club

Day

What Time?

What Level?

Where?

Who? School/Teacher

Other details

Wednesday

10:30am-12:30

Informal, conversation practice

Different London Neighborhoods

Groundwork

Joshua.schneider@groundwork.org.uk / 07912 274 858
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/hubs/london/projects/together/  

A guided walk around a different neighborhood each week, social chat

Thursday

10am-12noon

Beginner- intermediate

Telegraph Hill Centre

Ângelo Tiago Barros – centre manager

Sandra – Tutor

Women Only, sociable class, mixed levels, entry – intermediate.

This class closes for the summer on 28th July and reopens on 7th September.

To book a place call
020 76390214 or email office@thcentre.com

sandra@endersbytraining.com

Friday

10am – 12pm

Entry 2 / Entry 3

Torridon Road Library (max. 4 students)

Helen Nicholas

 

Saturday

10am-12noon

Mixed Level

Greenwich Maritime Museum

Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF

Joanna

Womens Group with mix of useful language with wellbeing and social

07837 512026

 

 

Contact details

 

School/Teacher

Contact Details

Lewisham College

Based at Lewisham Way and at Deptford Bridge

020 3757 3000

info@lscollege.ac.uk

https://www.lewisham.ac.uk/courses/esol

Enquiry form: https://www.lewisham.ac.uk/contact-us/course-enquiry

Adult Learning Lewisham

 

Granville Park Adult Education Centre, 100 Granville Park, SE13 7DU

Brockley Adult Education Centre, 2 Brockley Rise, Crofton Park, SE23 1PR

Grove Park Adult Education Centre, 333-335 Baring Road, SE12 0DZ

Phone: 020 8134 3300; 020 8314 6666; 020 8314 6677 (Monday-Thursday 9am – 4pm; Friday 9am-3.30pm)

Email: adultlearning@lewisham.gov.uk

For more information: Stefania Quaresima: 020 8314 7184

https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/adult/find-a-course/english-for-speakers-of-other-languages–esol–courses

Assessment dates published closer to the time here:

https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/adult/adult-education-pre-course-assessments  

Assessments must be booked by calling 020 8314 3300 or 020 8314 6677

The Bear,

Temporary new address: Leander Centre, Vanguard Estate, Ship Street, Deptford 

SE8 4DH

After building work is complete will return to:

The Bear Church, The Shaftesbury Centre, Frankham St, Deptford, SE8 4RN

Maureen 07748132624 me.biddiscombe@btinternet.com
info@thebear.tv

iain@thebear.tv 

Good Heart Social Club (zoom)

Joanna  07837 512026

goodheartsocialclub@gmail.com

Register here: https://forms.gle/6QAyp7EcZ9Aokzrb7

  @goodheartenglish          @goodheartsocialclub

New Cross Gate Trust, Besson Street Community Garden, Besson Street, New Cross, SE14 5AE

helen.keenan@nxgtrust.org.uk

020 7639 7605

Learners can also benefit from 1-1 help with English and signposting support.

  https://www.facebook.com/NXGTrust

The Point, 401 Lewisham High St, Catford, SE13 6NZ

Maureen 020 8690 0622 or 07748 132624

me.biddiscombe@btinternet.com

Torridon Road Library, Catford, SE16 1RQ

Helen Nicholas

helenn47@hotmail.com info@corbettcommunity.org.uk

020 8378 5358

Afghanistan and Central Asian Association

integrationmanager@afghanistan-central-asian.org.uk

https://acaa.org.uk/our-services/

Friends International Bromley

ESOL classes with a creche from a Church in Bromley.
https://bromleybaptist.com/friends-international emailed 16/01/23 for updates

Together South

English classes, employment services, and cultural integration sessions for non-EU migrants and refugees.

Joshua.schneider@groundwork.org.uk / 07912 274 858
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/hubs/london/projects/together/

Telegraph Hill Centre

Kitto Road

SE14 5TY

London

Ângelo Tiago Barros, Centre Manager

020 7639 0214 / office@thcentre.com

Sandra, tutor – sandra@endersbytraining.com

www.thcentre.com

MI Skills

ESOL Skills for Life and Work

Please note that our team update these factsheets on a quarterly basis. If you would like to suggest any updates, corrections or comments then please contact us at CommunityConnections@ageuklands.org.uk

 

 Date of last update: 09.05.2023