Learning English and finding good classes can be a challenge for asylum seekers, but there are now many opportunities in or near Long Eaton. Here are some of them. 

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1. In the hotel - Nottingham College hopes to provide regular classes in the hotel. Please ask your housing officer if you want to register. If you register for this class, please make sure you attend every week at the same time. If attendance is good, accredited courses can be offered. If attendance falls, these classes may be withdrawn. 

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In Novotel, you may also join evening classes at the hotel taught by local volunteers.  Looki out for classes on Monday or Wednesday evenings. 

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2. Informal English classes, games, and refreshments, with Upbeat Communities and local volunteers - every Tuesday afternoon 2-4pm at St John's Church in Long Eaton.

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3. Vanclaron are providing English conversation in Nottingham and in your hotel. Please seee advertising around the hotel. 

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4. In Derby you can go to English classes at

• Upbeat Communities

• Derby Refugee Forum

• Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity

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5. In Nottingham you can go to these English classes 

• at Refugee Roots (also online)

• through BEGIN 

• English conversation practice in libraries and online

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6. Formal college qualifications - You can usually go to formal college classes that will help you earn qualifications in English, Mathematics, and Computing (and more) after you have been in the UK for six months - but you can register before that, as the waiting list can be long. You will need to be able to provide evidence of your asylum application status and that you have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer. Try registering at

• Long Eaton Adult Education Centre (Community House, 173 Derby Road, Long Eaton, NG10 4LL). Register for an assessment or email to enquire

• Ilkeston College (ride the My15 bus from near your hotel)

• Nottingham College

• Derby College

• Derby Adult Learning Service​
  Derby, Ilkeston and Nottingham College may be able to support you to get to college by bus. 
  The Adult Learning Service is unlikely to provide this funding for their courses. 
   

• To apply for bursary support from Derby College you will need to apply online using this link.

• Turn your phone to landscape.

• When you are logged into intouch

• Select your course.

• Scroll to the right select apply.

• This will take you to the bursary form to complete.

• If there is an error, please send a screenshot.

• Evidence will be needed of one of the below. 

• Net annual income of below £25,500, 

•  3 months recent wage slips 

• Universal Credit statement in full 

• Income support letter 

• Employment Support Allowance letter 

• Child Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit letter in full 

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 

• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit 

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7. Nottingham Trent University offer a few places to English learners from time to time on courses with teachers who are learning to teach English. Classes may be held at NTU city campus (City Centre). Click here to register. You may need to wait until a new class starts. NTU may  also provide English conversation classes in libraries in Nottingham and online. 

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8. Online English teaching resources from Care4Calais - or check for online or local English classes in the REFAID app.

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9. Asylum seekers may become members of Long Eaton library or other libraries to borrow books and use computers. Library staff are very helpful. Please visit the library to find out more. If you borrow books,  please make sure you return books on time by the date they are due - or you will be charged a fine. 

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10. Don't just wait for classes. Some refugees we have met learned to speak good English from YouTube, or from volunteering alongside other English speakers. Check out local volunteering opportunities. 

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