Learn English for free
Free ESOL courses for migrants. Duolingo has a course from Russian. BBC Learning English is free. For citizenship you need level B1 (1–2 years of study).
Free ESOL courses – who can study for free
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) is the official English course. Free for:
- Refugees with any type of status (Refugee, Humanitarian Protection, Discretionary Leave)
- Asylum seekers waiting for a decision for 6+ months
- Universal Credit recipients (referral from Job Centre)
- People with low income (up to ~£25,000/year)
- Ukrainians under Homes for Ukraine, Family Scheme
- Afghans under ARAP/ACRS
How to sign up: If you are on Universal Credit – ask your Job Coach to refer you to ESOL. If you are a refugee – contact your local college or a charity. If you pay – courses cost £100–500 per term depending on the college.
ESOL levels – what they mean
| ESOL level | CEFR | What you can do | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry 1 | A1 | Basic phrases, simple words | Start of learning |
| Entry 2 | A2 | Simple conversations, reading signs | Everyday communication |
| Entry 3 | B1 | Conversation, simple texts, letters | UK citizenship |
| Level 1 | B2 | Confident conversation, work English | ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) |
| Level 2 | C1 | Fluent English, equivalent to GCSE | University, professions |
For UK citizenship you need Entry 3 (B1). For ILR you need Level 1 (B2). The ESOL certificate is accepted by the Home Office.
How to find an ESOL course
- National Careers Service: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk → Find a course → search for "ESOL" + your postcode
- Local college: go to the website of your nearest FE college and search for ESOL enrolment
- Council: your local council website – section "Adult education" or "ESOL"
- Charities: Refugee Council, City of Sanctuary, local refugee support groups
- Phone: National Careers Service helpline 0800 100 900 (free, interpreters available)
Online resources – free
| Resource | What it is | Level | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC Learning English | Grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, news | All | Free |
| British Council LearnEnglish | 2,000+ interactive exercises, podcasts, videos | All | Free |
| ESOL Courses (esolcourses.com) | Online lessons specifically for ESOL | All | Free |
| British Council Kids | English for children 5–12 | Beginner | Free |
| FutureLearn | Online courses from UK universities | Intermediate+ | Free (audit) |
Apps for Russian speakers
| App | Feature | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Duolingo | Course English from Russian. Game format. 15 min/day | Free (Premium £7/month) |
| Reverso Context | Translations in context Russian↔English. Better than Google Translate | Free |
| Puzzle English | Made for Russian speakers. Video lessons, trainers | Free / Premium |
| LinguaLeo | Popular among Russian speakers. Gamification | Free / Premium |
| Google Translate | Camera → translate signs, documents. Voice translation | Free |
YouTube channels in Russian: "English Galaxy", "Skyeng" – grammar explanations in Russian. Good for beginners.
How much time you need to learn
| Goal | Level | Time (from zero) | Hours per week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday communication | Entry 2 (A2) | 6–12 months | 6–12 |
| UK citizenship | Entry 3 (B1) | 12–18 months | 6–12 |
| ILR | Level 1 (B2) | 18–24 months | 6–12 |
| Fluent | Level 2 (C1) | 2–3 years | 6–12 |
Russian speakers often learn faster – familiarity with complex grammar helps. Intensive courses (15–20 hours/week) speed up progress by 2 times.
Frequently asked questions
Are ESOL courses really free?
Yes, for refugees, asylum seekers (6+ months), UC recipients, people with low income. For others – £100–500 per term.
What level do I need for citizenship?
Entry 3 (B1). You need an ESOL Speaking & Listening certificate. Or IELTS Life Skills B1. The Home Office accepts both.
Can I learn English online for free?
Yes. BBC Learning English, British Council LearnEnglish, Duolingo (from Russian), esolcourses.com – all free.
Does Duolingo have a course from Russian?
Yes. Duolingo has a course "English for Russian Speakers" – interface in Russian, explanations in Russian. Free, 15 min/day.