Improving your English skills has many benefits both in the short and long term, including opening the doors to higher paying and more stable jobs, making it easier for you to communicate with landlords, navigate public services, develop stronger connections to your local community, and more confidently utilise public transport in the UK.
Please see the sections below for our most up-to-date information on developing your English skills, and feel free to get in touch via HFUTeam@Gloucestershire.gov.uk if you would like any further assistance.
Please see our latest list of English classes to see what’s available in your area and online:
If you would like any further assistance or advice on attending ESOL classes, or to inform us of a class that is not on our list, please contact us on HFUTeam@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
Please see our latest list of English classes to see what’s available in your area and online:
If you would like any further assistance or advice on attending ESOL classes, or to inform us of a class that is not on our list, please contact us on HFUTeam@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
Please see the following table as a rough guide to English class levels:
|
ESOL Levels |
CEF equivalent |
EFL Levels |
|
|
Beginner |
Pre-A1 |
Beginner |
Can say words, but may not put them in sentences. Can recognise letters of the alphabet, but may not know them fully. |
|
Entry 1 |
A1 |
Elementary |
Can understand and speak in basic sentences. Can use pres simple with “I” (or pres continuous). Knows letters of the alphabet. Can write words in sentences, but may have errors with grammar, capitalisation and punctuation. |
|
Entry 2 |
A2 |
Pre-Intermediate |
Can understand and engage in everyday conversations. Can use 2 present tenses, some knowledge of simple past and future. Can write in sentences with capitals and punctuation. |
|
Entry 3 |
A2+ / B1 |
Pre-int / Intermediate |
Can understand and talk about a range of topics. Consolidating use of past and future tenses. Can write in full sentences and paragraphs. |
|
Level 1 |
B1 / B1+ |
Intermediate+ |
Can discuss most topics, may lack vocabulary and grammar. Aware of most tenses, but makes errors and may not use all. Can plan and write in paragraphs. |
|
Level 2 |
B2 |
Upper Int |
Can discuss all topics without preparation, but may make errors. Can use all tenses and passives with some errors. Can write in paragraphs without difficulty. |
Please see the following table as a rough guide to English class levels:
|
ESOL Levels |
CEF equivalent |
EFL Levels |
|
|
Beginner |
Pre-A1 |
Beginner |
Can say words, but may not put them in sentences. Can recognise letters of the alphabet, but may not know them fully. |
|
Entry 1 |
A1 |
Elementary |
Can understand and speak in basic sentences. Can use pres simple with “I” (or pres continuous). Knows letters of the alphabet. Can write words in sentences, but may have errors with grammar, capitalisation and punctuation. |
|
Entry 2 |
A2 |
Pre-Intermediate |
Can understand and engage in everyday conversations. Can use 2 present tenses, some knowledge of simple past and future. Can write in sentences with capitals and punctuation. |
|
Entry 3 |
A2+ / B1 |
Pre-int / Intermediate |
Can understand and talk about a range of topics. Consolidating use of past and future tenses. Can write in full sentences and paragraphs. |
|
Level 1 |
B1 / B1+ |
Intermediate+ |
Can discuss most topics, may lack vocabulary and grammar. Aware of most tenses, but makes errors and may not use all. Can plan and write in paragraphs. |
|
Level 2 |
B2 |
Upper Int |
Can discuss all topics without preparation, but may make errors. Can use all tenses and passives with some errors. Can write in paragraphs without difficulty. |