ESOL Update for London: November 2025
Mayor of London GLA ESOL Newsletter
Contents
- News
- Provider spotlight
- ESOL course vacancies
- Learner progression opportunities
- ESOL Jobs and Volunteering opportunities
- Asks and offers
- Partnerships
- Training
- Events
- Resources
- Funding and tenders
- Data and research
- Feedback
- Submit an item
READ COMPLETE NEWSLETTER AT THIS LINK
NEWS
Adult Skills Fund for London: rules updated
The London ASF Funding Rules for academic year 2025/26 were published in September 2025. Significant changes have been made to the chapters related to residency eligibility and unemployment (full funding rules). In addition, a new flexibility has been introduced in relation to CELTA qualifications. ASF providers and subcontractors are encouraged to review the updated rules to ensure they are using the latest guidance to inform their planning, and assess learner eligibility. Provider managers can provide further guidance where needed. Find out more.
Inclusive Talent Strategy published
London’s Inclusive Talent Strategy (ITS) was launched on 23 October. The strategy, developed jointly by the Mayor of London and London Councils, aims to grow London’s skilled workforce and is a vital early step in delivering the London Growth Plan. It seeks to ensure that all Londoners can benefit from growth by helping more people access high-quality jobs, while making it easier for employers to find the talent they need. It was developed through extensive engagement with key stakeholders, and is underpinned by an evidence base, published alongside the strategy which highlights that more than 1.4 million Londoners have basic English, maths, and digital skills needs, and that ESOL provision is oversubscribed. The strategy has three key actions: putting employers at the centre of driving inclusive growth; ensuring Londoners can find the right training and career path for them; and tackling the barriers to retaining talent in London. Planned activity in relation to ESOL includes strengthening how ESOL services are organised across London, piloting innovative delivery methods for ESOL, and developing contextualised ESOL courses for key sectors, for example, ESOL for hospitality, health and social care and construction. Find out more.
Department for Education: post-16 education and skills white paper
The Department for Education published the post-16 education and skills White Paper in October. This document outlines reforms to the post-16 education and skills system in England to meet the needs of the economy, close skills gaps, and support growth. It is aimed at partners involved in delivering the skills system, including post-16 education and training providers, local and strategic authorities, employers, and individual learners. It also sets out reforms to higher education teaching and research. Find out more.
AoC: guidance to FE colleges on current community tensions
The Association of Colleges (AoC) has published a briefing note for Further Education (FE) colleges addressing the recent rise in community tensions. The note explores the role of colleges in promoting inclusion and community cohesion. It signposts readers to useful resources and partnerships to help colleges respond constructively. Find out more.
Department for Education: 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guidance
The Department for Education has published updated guidance for institutions administering the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund for the 2025 to 2026 academic year. The fund provides financial support to help eligible students participate in education. The guidance outlines the funding rules, eligibility criteria and audit requirements for schools, colleges, training providers and local authorities managing the bursary. Find out more.
PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT
Camden and Islington ESOL Advice Service
Learn more about how the Camden and Islington ESOL Advice Service maps ESOL provision across and beyond both boroughs, working with community partners to reach the hardest to engage learners, using data to identify unmet need, and supporting coordinated planning to strengthen and expand ESOL provision locally.
You can read more case studies on our webpage and submit your own.
ESOL VACANCIES
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the GLA does not fund, manage or quality assure the items listed in this section unless explicitly stated.
Reminder: ESOL and Employment Programme
World Jewish Relief has launched a free 12-month English language and employment programme for eligible adults from Hong Kong and Ukraine, funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Delivered online with the British Council, it offers English classes from Entry Level 1 (A1) to Level 1 (B2), available full-time or part-time with morning, afternoon and evening sessions available. Participants also receive personalised employment support, one-to-one advice from an Employment Advisor, and 12-month access to British Council self-study materials. Find out more.
Notre Dame Refugee Centre: free English classes
Our free English classes are run by qualified (volunteer) ESOL teachers. Lessons take place on Mondays and Thursdays. We offer classes from pre-beginner level through to intermediate. The classes are not accredited but we aim to help learners progress to a level where they can participate in college or further education classes. Potential learners must complete an initial assessment. ESOL assessments take place on Mondays from 10am-12pm. Find out more.
Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants
Join us for our weekly in-person, free English class open to all refugees and people seeking asylum in Islington. 10.30am-12pm every Thursday during the academic school term. The English class is followed by tea and biscuits until 1pm, except on the first Thursday of every month when we offer a free hot meal. No registration needed. Find out more.
Conversation Clubs [Tower Hamlets]
Weekly conversation clubs to practise speaking English as a second or other language are currently available in three Idea Stores in Tower Hamlets. Learners can meet new friends and practise their English at these free and friendly conversation clubs on Mondays, 11am-12pm at Idea Store Watney Market, E1 2FB; Tuesdays, 11am-12pm at Idea Store Crisp Street, E14 6BT, and/or Thursdays, 12pm-1pm at Idea Store Bow, E3 5ES. Find out more.
International House: ESOL with trainee teachers
International House offers in-person English language lessons delivered by their trainee teachers at A2/E2, B1/E3, and B2/L1-L2. Courses are delivered at different times of the day, for a duration of between 2 and 6 weeks. Lessons are free if you are a refugee, person seeking asylum or over 65 years old. 16 Stukely Street, WC2B 5LG. Find out more.
International House: ESOL with trainee teachers [online]
International House offers online English language lessons delivered by their trainee teachers at A2/E2, B1/E3, and B2/L1-L2. Courses are delivered at different times of the day, for a duration of between 2 and 6 weeks. Lessons are free if you are a refugee, person seeking asylum or over 65 years old. 16 Stukely Street, WC2B 5LG. Find out more.
Conversation Clubs
Camden: Find out more
Islington (evening): Find out more
Kingston: Find out more
RBKC: Find out more
Waltham Forest: Find out more
Wandsworth Find out more
Westminster: Find out more
Free ESOL with Trainee Teachers
ELTeach:E1 and E2. Online. Evening/Weekend. Contact: info@elteach.co.uk
Support with ESOL vacancies
If your ESOL courses have vacancies and you would like us to include them in the next issue, please get in touch by clicking reply or emailing Lsmp@london.gov.uk
ESOL Single-Points-of-Contact (SPOCs), Networks, Maps and Directories
For resources to support local mapping and signposting, including ESOL SPOCs, Networks, maps and directories, visit our Local ESOL Coordination webpage.
LEARNER PROGRESSION OPPORtUNITIES
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the GLA does not fund, manage or quality assure the items listed in this section unless explicitly stated.
Reminder: English for Action: English Language Fairs
Funded by the Mayor’s Community Outreach Programme, English for Action are organising five English Language Fairs. These events offer an opportunity for migrant communities to meet ESOL, adult education and support providers all in one place, helping attendees find classes and opportunities that work for them. Please note that the date for the Southwark English Language Fair has changed since the last edition of the ESOL newsletter.
Greenwich English Language Fair: 2 December 2025 10:30am-1:30pm. Register here.
Lambeth English Language Fair: 11 December 2025 10:30am-1:30pm. Register here.
Hackney English Language Fair: 22 January 2026 10:30am-1pm. Register here.
Southwark English Language Fair: 28 January 2026 10:30am-1:30pm. Register here.
Tower Hamlets English Language Fair: 5 February 2026. 10:30am-1:30pm. Register here.
Language Café Sessions for Experts by Experience groups [online]
Experts by Experience are offering six Language Café sessions for experts by experience (refugees and migrants) to learn about terms that are frequently used in the charity sector. Sessions every Friday from 12pm-1pm. The next session will focus on project management. Find out more.
Hackney Volunteering Fair
Join Volunteer Centre Hackney at its next free Volunteer Fair on Wednesday 12 November, 2pm to 4.30pm. You will have the chance to meet local charities and organisations offering a wide range of volunteering roles, from mentoring and befriending to creative, environmental and community support opportunities. Salvation Army, 70 Mare Street, E8 4RT. Find out more.
Kundakala: sewing [Hackney]
Join Kundakala to learn how to sew or improve your sewing skills. We offer a 3 hour tailoring workshops per week for 6 months, in term time; a start-up sewing kit to practise at home; training on using a sewing machine and making and altering clothes; guidance and workshops on starting your own business; and a sewing machine to take home when you graduate. We have vacancies on a programme for people seeking asylum and refugees in Hackney. Starts 17 November 2025. Find out more
Routes Mentoring Programme
Applications are now open for the next Routes 4-month Mentoring Programme, running from 18 March to 15 July 2026. The programme pairs women leaders, from early career professionals to senior executives, with women from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds for 1:1 mentoring focused on confidence, education and employment goals. Mentors receive training in mentoring and inclusive leadership and commit around 10 hours over four months. Bursary places are available, and applications close on 15 December 2025. Find out more. Contact: tamana@routescollective.com.
UWS: Online Information Session for ESOL and EAL Learners [online]
The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is hosting an information session on 24 November 2025, 6pm-7pm, for English language learners interested in studying at university. The session will introduce the BA (Hons) English Language degree, a programme designed especially for students whose first language is not English. Find out more. Contact: Katy.Highet@UWS.AC.UK
Royal Voluntary Service: Launch of GoVo
The Royal Voluntary Service has launched GoVo, a new digital platform designed to make volunteering easier, more flexible and more inclusive. GoVo connects people with live volunteering opportunities that match their interests, location and availability. Find out more.
Independent ESOL [online]
Courses via the third-party platforms below are free and/or supported by advertisement, if the learner selects the audit/sample only, limited or non-accreditation option. No credit/debit card information will be requested. Please be advised that these platforms may include advertisements – inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation, and discretion should be exercised about the suitability of the platform.
Coursera (select 'free' course options only, click 'enroll for free', click 'full course, no certificate').
Future Learn (select course, scroll to bottom of page and select 'continue with limited access')