ESOL Study Programme

You can enrol on this course as long as you are 18 on 31 August, as many times as you need in order to achieve your target level of English.

Once you have reached your target level of English, you will be able to apply for other courses, at Cambridge Regional College or outside. However, you will need to research the courses you are interested in very carefully as some programmes have very specific entry requirements.

It is recommended that you try to achieve Skills for Life Level 1 before you apply for a vocational course at level 2 or level 3 and Skills for Life Level 2 if you want to pursue academic studies (such as GCSE or A Level).

Learners on this programme have progressed to vocational or academic courses, depending on their interests, their educational background and their level of English, either at Cambridge Regional College or in other schools/colleges in the UK or back in their own countries.

You must be at least 16 years of age and no older than 18 years of age on 31 August 2018.

You will need a good school report, showing good attendance and behaviour.

You will need to sit a placement test which includes a speaking, grammar and writing test before we can accept you on the course. The result of the placement test will determine which class you attend and which level of exam you are asked to sit.

In addition to the entry qualifications listed, the offer of a place on the course is subject to the outcomes of initial assessment, which will be taken at the College as part of the admissions process. Please note that entry criteria may vary quite significantly between courses at the same level. This is to take account of the specific skills needed for success on particular courses, the length of the course and the requirements for progression to the next level. Entry criteria are given as a guide, and the exact requirements in order to obtain a place on a particular course will be confirmed following attendance at a Welcome Event/Interview.

We want you to achieve to the very best of your ability at CRC. To make this happen we offer both learning and personal support by specialist staff tailored to meet your specific needs.

You will have tests regularly in your class to check on your progress and understanding. At the end of a level you will be given a test to check that you are ready to move up to the next level (at least 75% test result).
During and/or at the end of your course (depending on the progress made) you will sit an official English exam as well as a Maths exam (if you don't have GCSE grade C when you start your ESOL programme).
The English exams consist of exams in speaking and listening, reading and writing.

Your teachers and College specialist staff provide both learning and personal support. Your teachers schedule regular individual meetings with you (tutorials) to check that you are making at least the expected progress.
We have specialist staff in the College who can support students outside of class if they have specific learning needs.