ESOL : English lessons for people who speak English as a second or other language
There are lots of places in Newcastle where you can learn English or practice your conversation skills. These sessions are known as ESOL which means, English as a second or other language.
Classes can be informal groups to help you build your confidence in speaking English. Or formal classes where you can get a certificate or qualification to show that you can speak English. A certificate can be useful to help you to get ready to work or apply for jobs.
Here’s the classes that are available in Newcastle. Contact the organisation to find out more about what they offer. The time of sessions and venues may change.
English courses with a certificate or qualification
| Organisation | What’s available | How to use the service |
| Newcastle City Learning
Address: Westgate College, Westgate Road, NE4 9LU Telephone: 0191 277 3520 Website: newcastlecitylearning.ac.uk |
English as a second language (ESOL) Service:
Learn English reading, writing, speaking and listening. Includes language and skills required for everyday life, work and citizenship. Qualifications: from Entry 1 to Level 2. |
You can enrol each term for classes at all levels.
Who can use the service: adults who don’t speak English and who plan to settle in the UK including people:
Cost: Free |
| Newcastle College
Address: Rye Hill Campus, Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5BR Telephone: 0191 200 4000 Website: ncl-coll.ac.uk Email: enquiries@ncl-coll.ac.uk |
English as a second language (ESOL) Service:
Learn English reading, writing, speaking and listening. Includes maths, language and skills required for everyday life, work and citizenship. Qualifications: from beginner to advanced. |
Places are subject to eligibility. For example, asylum seekers who have lived in the UK for 6 months
Who can use the service: all levels welcome 16 to 18 year olds can study ESOL full time Adults can apply to study a range of free classes Cost: Free |
| The Chinese Centre
Address: 117 Westgate Road, NE1 4AG Tel: 0191 230 3158 or 07856 295 987 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChineseCentreNE |
Accredited English as a second language (ESOL) classes
Entry level 1 to Level 2 Fast track learning with online resources. |
Who can attend: anyone eligible for adult education funding who is not accessing other education provision
Cost: free |
| Newcastle International School
Address: Northumberland House, NE1 8ER Tel: 0191 435 1014 Email: admin@newcastlenis.com |
Free support classes
English Conversation Class English for Work class |
Who can attend: contact for more information and eligibility
Women only classes are available Cost: free |
English classes in the community
| Organisation | What’s available | How to use the service |
| Action Language run by Action Foundation
Address: CastleGate, Melbourne Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 2JQ Telephone: 0191 231 3113 Website: actionfoundation.org.uk Email: info@actionfoundation.org.uk |
English courses in Newcastle and online Zoom lessons
Suitable for beginners to advanced English speakers Childcare: Not available |
Register online or
Text or WhatsApp ENGLISH to 07518 460198 Email info@actionlanguage.org.uk You need to bring your identification (ID) documents when you enrol. Who can use the service: Open to anyone not attending college classes. Cost: Free |
| Brunswick Methodist Church
Address: Brunswick Methodist Church, NE1 7BJ Email: admin@brunswickmethodist.org.uk Website: brunswickmethodist.org.uk Tel: 0191 232 1692 |
English entry 1 only
Mondays 10am to 2.30pm
|
Who can attend: refugees and people with permission to work
Cost: free
|
| Byker Sands Family Centre
Address: 19 Raby Cross, Byker, NE6 2FF Tel: 0191 275 9636 Email: sure.start.east@barnardos.org.uk Website: www.facebook.com/pg/Community-Family-Hub-East-1742672322696105 |
English language courses:
Entry level and level 1 course: Tuesday 12.30pm to 2.30pm. Childcare: creche available.
|
Who can attend: open to all, subject to availability and eligibility.
Cost: free |
| English for All UK
Website: englishforall.uk Email: info@englishforall.uk
|
Free online and face to face English lessons for different abilities
Online classes on Zoom Monday 10.30am Fortnightly Community Forum Face to Face class Thursdays 10.30am to 12.30pm English Class in person at DiverCity Hub, Buckingham Street |
Who can attend: refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who want to learn English.
They run a women only session How to access: Email or message them on Facebook to get the link to online sessions Cost: free
|
| International House
Address: Room 9 at International House Newcastle, 7-15 Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4SG Tel: 0191 232 9551 Website: ihnewcastle.com Email: info@ihnewcastle.com
|
Free English classes
Upper level (B2) classes from 7th October to 20th December. Monday to Friday 2pm to 4pm. The classes are given for free by people who are learning to teach English. |
Who can attend: open to all
Cost: free
|
| JET (Jobs, Employment and Training)
Address: 81 Adelaide Terrace, NE4 8BB Email: julie22@jetnorth.org.uk Website: jetnorth.org.uk Tel: 0191 273 5761 |
English as a second Language service:
Wednesday mornings 9.30am to 12pm: Pre Entry and Entry Level 1 ESOL at Newcastle Central Mosque, Grainger Park Road Childcare: No crèche available Thursday afternoons 1pm to 3pm: Integration Project runs on at Robert Stewart URC Church on Wingrove Road (opposite Sara’s clothes shop). Childcare: Crèche available |
Who can use the service: adults
Cost: free |
| Justice and Peace (Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle)
Address: Our Lady of Lourdes Deaf Centre, 2 Summerhill Grove, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6EE Phone: 07427 838813 |
English conversation classes:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11.30am to 12.30pm |
Who can attend: open to all
Cost: free |
| Newcastle College
Address: Teaching Development Centre, George Street, NE4 7JL Tel: 0191 200 4000 Website: ncl-coll.ac.uk Email: enquiries@ncl-coll.ac.uk |
Free English classes
Entry level 2 classes from 8th October 2019. Tuesdays 12.15pm to 3.15pm (attend when you can). The teachers are on a teacher training course.
|
Who can attend: open to all
Cost: free
|
| North of England Refugee Service
Address: 1 Charlotte Square (rear), NE1 4XF Email: info@refugee.org.uk Website: refugee.org.uk Tel: 0191 245 7301 |
English Classes:
Beginners and all levels:
Advanced level: Wednesdays 1pm to 4pm |
Who can attend: adults
No eligibility or commitment required |
| The Conversation Group – Newcastle
Address: Tuesdays in Newcastle City Centre, 4pm to 5.30pm SMS/Text Message: 07448 541787 Email: conversationgroupnewcastle@gmail.com Facebook: The Conversation Group – Newcastle |
English conversation sessions for informal conversation, English language practice and for sharing information together. | Who can attend: adults
How to attend: contact for more information Cost: free |
| Riverside Community Health Project
Address: Carnegie Building, Atkinson Road, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 8XS Main Telephone: 0191 226 0754 |
English language classes | Who can attend: adults
How to attend: contact for more information Cost: free
|
English conversation groups
| Organisation | What’s available | How to use the service |
| Heaton Baptist Church
Address: Heaton Road , NE6 5HN |
English conversation classes
Thursdays 4.30pm to 6.30pm |
Who can attend: open to all
Cost: free |
| NEST
Address: Newcastle University Students’ Union, NE1 8QB Email: nest.union@newcastle.ac.uk YouTube Channel: NEST Beyonds Barriers Telephone: 0191 239 3900 |
Learn English conversation, speaking, listening and writing. Range of taught classes, English conversation and creative sessions.
Online classes and face to face classes available Outreach, trips and outings for learners throughout the year. Childcare: No creche but children can take part in activities. |
Who can use the service: all welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult
How to use the service: watch their videos on YouTube or email to join face to face sessions and activities Cost: free |
| Northumbria University
Address: Room 450, 4th Floor, Northumberland Building, Northumbria University, NE1 8SG Contact: 07712169328 or 07502222045 |
English conversation classes
Thursdays 5.30pm to 7.30pm |
Who can attend: open to all
Cost: free |
Women only English Classes
| Organisation | What’s available | How to use the service |
| The Angelou Centre
Address: The Angelou Centre, NE4 5NR Email: admin@angelou-centre.org.uk Website: angelou-centre.org.uk Tel: 0191 226 0394 |
Weekly English conversation café every Wednesday morning.
ESOL classes Childcare: crèche sometimes available. Ask if it’s available each term. |
Who can use the service: women only
Cost: free |
| English for All UK
Website: englishforall.uk Email: info@englishforall.uk |
Free English lessons online on Zoom
Wednesday 1pm Women only conversation |
Who can attend: refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who want to learn English.
They run a women only session How to access: Email or message them on Facebook to get the link to online sessions Cost: free
|
| West End Women and Girls Centre
Address: The Stephenson Building, 173 Elswick Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6SQ Website: westendwomenandgirls.co.uk |
8 week English class for women only.
Provided by Gateshead College. |
Who can attend: women only
How to attend: contact for more information and to register. You will need to bring with you your identification, passport, visa, proof of any government benefits When: register 28th April 2022. Course starts May 2022, Thursdays 9.30am to 11.30am Cost: free |
| First Step
Address: 435 Westgate Road, NE4 8RN Tel: 0191 226 1213 |
English classes for women. | Who can attend: women only
How to attend: Contact them for more information about enrolment. |
| Newcastle International School
Address: Northumberland House, NE1 8ER Tel: 0191 435 1014 Email: admin@newcastlenis.com |
Free support classes
English Conversation Class English for Work class |
Who can attend: contact for more information and eligibility
Women only classes are available Cost: free
|
English sessions outside Newcastle
| Organisation | What’s available | How to use the service |
| Sunderland City of Sanctuary
Email:chris.howson@sunderland.ac.uk Tel: 0784 6099 643 |
Fridays
Beginners: 3:30pm, Interfaith Centre, Sunderland University, Charles St, SR6 0AN Elementary to Advanced: online session at 4pm |
Who can attend: contact for more information
Cost: free |
| The Buffalo Community Centre Blyth
Address: 55 Regent Street, Blyth, NE24 1LL Tel: 01670 363 858 Email: jo@buffalocommunitycentre.co.uk |
Wednesday, 9:30 to 11:30am | Who can attend: contact for more information
Cost: free |
| Being Woman Ashington
YMCA , North View, Ashington, NE63 9XQ Tel 07786472333 Email:info@being-woman.org.uk |
ESOL classes, Wednesday at 10:00am | Who can attend: contact for more information
Cost: free |
The services listed on this page are provided by organisations independent to the council. We update this information regularly, but opening times and availability can change. Before attending a session we recommend you check it is running and that you’re eligible to receive the service. Some services are only for adults or rough sleepers. Please note there may be a limit to the number of times you can access a service due to high demands in Newcastle. You can read more about InformationNOW’s Terms and Conditions.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Action Language and Newcastle City of Sanctuary for working with us to develop this article.
Last updated: July 8, 2022
