North East Scotland College (NESCol) is offering non-native English speakers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire the opportunity to improve their English language skills with part-time courses.
The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses take place over a 10-week period from mid-January at Aberdeen City Campus, with classes during the day or in the evening.
These courses are available at intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced levels, and involve four hours of learning per week. They are perfect for individuals looking to enhance their English proficiency to progress in their careers, or for employers who wish to upskill their teams.
In addition to strengthening reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, ESOL helps learners grow their understanding of UK citizenship and culture.
Joy McKenzie-Aiken, community learning manager at NESCol, said: “ESOL courses are designed by experts to help learners develop their written and verbal communication skills and feel more confident conversing in English.
“Our small classes are taught by friendly tutors in a supportive environment, and you’ll meet people with a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.
“Building confidence in using the English language can be beneficial to your everyday life, as well as your career. An ESOL qualification on your CV showcases your language skills to employers and can open the door to new opportunities at work.
“As well as improving communication, ESOL courses will teach you about local customs, helping you understand daily life in Scotland and integrate more smoothly into the community.”
There are no formal entry requirements, but learners must sit an initial assessment to ensure they enrol on the right level of ESOL course for their ability.
With a range of start dates, the course cost is £240. More information and how to apply can be found on the NESCol website. Employers looking to upskill team members should get in touch by email: PartTimeESOL@nescol.ac.uk.
NESCol is one of the largest providers of vocational education and training in Scotland, delivering to more than 20,000 full-time, part-time and distance learning students each year. The College operates from its main Aberdeen Altens, Aberdeen City and Fraserburgh campuses as well as the Scottish Maritime Academy in Peterhead. For further information visit www.nescol.ac.uk