Language and skills courses
English language support
A range of English language support is available for Ukrainians in East Sussex. Courses, resources and groups on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) are on this page.
Level 1 - No English or basic English
- Pre-entry ESOL programme:
11 week courses through East Sussex College Group (ESCG) in Hastings and Eastbourne. - East Sussex Libraries - Learning
Our libraries offer free Functional Skills English to level 2, fully accredited. These are in Eastbourne and Hastings libraries or online. - Informal conversational classes and cultural awareness input:
refugee buddy group and local community groups including Sanctuary café, Black Butterfly, refugee buddy project, groundworks, HVA, RVA, 3VA.
Language apps
- Babbel is offering free courses in English, German or Polish for Ukrainian refugees.
- Duolingo is providing a free waiver so Ukrainian students can take an English proficiency test required for university applications.
- Busuu is offering its premium service free to Ukrainians for 3 months: Безкоштовне вивчення мов для українців - Busuu
Level 2 - Some English but needs more to be work-ready or ESOL
- East Sussex College Group (ESCG) ESOL Accredited courses from September: register your interest for these courses.
- Sanctuary Cafe, Fridays between 10am and 12 noon at All Souls Church Hall, Wellesley Road, Eastbourne.
- Ukrainian Café Hub, Robertson Street, Hastings offer conversational English groups Tuesday afternoon 1pm to 4pm.
- Education Training Consortium Sussex
Based in Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea. Offering Beginner-Elementary and Pre-Intermediate English lessons as well as IT lessons. Currently 8 classes per week. - Black Butterfly based in Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea
Informal conversational classes with project spaces including gardening, cookery, and crafts. - Refugee Buddy Project
Based in Hastings and Rother. Informal English conversation, 1 hour per week, for people who sign up with a buddy. Informal English conversation workshops available on understanding bills, council tax, housing, driving theory. - Diversity Resource International based in Lewes. Offering structured classes, internet-based learning, buddying, mentoring and peer support, and informal learning.
- The Links Project Drop-In, Wednesdays 11am to 3pm at Central Hall, 6B Station Road, Hastings.