English for speakers of other languages classes and support

Council ESOL classes

ESOL and family learning

Provision

The City of Edinburgh Council offers offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for adults who live in Edinburgh. Our ESOL classes can help adults learn or improve their English to make their day-to-day life easier. For example:

  • talking to doctors and teachers
  • helping your child with homework
  • other everyday communication.

Each class meets once a week. Some are online using MS Teams and others meet face to face in classrooms. These are non-accredited classes.

We do not offer 

  • IELTS
  • Life in the UK
  • other qualifications.

Please check our website for updates. Email or call and leave a message if you would like to join a class.

Contact details

When contacting us, please include the first part of your postcode (for example EH4) and any other relevant information.

Telephone 0800 085 7672

Email ESOL@ea.edin.sch.uk

Resettlement Programme

The Resettlement Programme (formerly Syrian Resettlement Programme) provides ESOL classes for refugees eligible under the UK Resettlement Scheme.

Currently we offer 18 online classes and 8 face to face classes from pre-literacy to beginner level. We also provide Family Learning groups and activities for parents and children, and short-term interest groups such as Political Literacy to help students integrate.

We also have over 60 English "snacks" videos on our YouTube channel. The short videos are suitable for students new to English.

Contact details

Email mhairi.mcneill@ea.edin.sch.uk or hannah.avison@ea.edin.sch.uk

Family learning events for families staying in temporary emergency accommodation

We offer parent and child activity sessions with some interactive English Language learning opportunities to families from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. These usually take place during school holiday times, and include

  • storytelling and rhymes (interactive)
  • play based learning
  • learning through arts and craft
  • learning English using board games.

Contact details

To find out more email us

Email mhairi.mcneill@ea.edin.sch.uk or shingai.2.maramba@ea.edin.sch.uk