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 | Times | Level | Where | Organisation | 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 | 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 |
Friday | 1:30-3pm | Pre-entry | The Bear | The Bear | PLEASE CONTACT MAUREEN 07748 132624 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 | |||||
| Day | Time | Level | Where | Organisation | 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. They also offer weekly one-to-one sessions | |
Thursday | 10am-12noon | Telegraph Hill Centre | Ângelo Tiago Barros | To book a place call | |
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 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 sandra@endersbytraining.com | |
Friday | 10am – 12pm | Entry 1 /2 | The Point | The Point Catford | Contact Maureen on 07748132624 |
Friday | 1:30-3pm | Entry 1/2 | The Bear | The Bear | PLEASE CONTACT MAUREEN 07748 132624 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 |
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. 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 sandra@endersbytraining.com | |
Thursday | 13:30-14:30pm | Intermediate | Zoom | Groundwork | Joshua.schneider@groundwork.org.uk / 07912 274 858 |
Friday | 1:30-3pm | Entry 3 | The Bear | The Bear | PLEASE CONTACT MAUREEN 07748 132624 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 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 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 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 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 iain@thebear.tv |
Good Heart Social Club (zoom) | Joanna 07837 512026 Register here: https://forms.gle/6QAyp7EcZ9Aokzrb7 |
New Cross Gate Trust, Besson Street Community Garden, Besson Street, New Cross, SE14 5AE | 020 7639 7605 Learners can also benefit from 1-1 help with English and signposting support. |
The Point, 401 Lewisham High St, Catford, SE13 6NZ | Maureen 020 8690 0622 or 07748 132624 |
Torridon Road Library, Catford, SE16 1RQ | Helen Nicholas helenn47@hotmail.com info@corbettcommunity.org.uk 020 8378 5358 |
Afghanistan and Central Asian Association | |
Friends International Bromley | ESOL classes with a creche from a Church in Bromley. |
Together South | English classes, employment services, and cultural integration sessions for non-EU migrants and refugees. Joshua.schneider@groundwork.org.uk / 07912 274 858 |
Telegraph Hill Centre Kitto Road SE14 5TY London | Ângelo Tiago Barros, Centre Manager 020 7639 0214 / office@thcentre.com Sandra, tutor – sandra@endersbytraining.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