We’re really sorry, but we have needed to pause applications for the 2025/26 academic year (Sept 25 – July 26) due to demand. 

Thanks to funding from Southampton City Council, our courses are free to people seeking asylum*, those referred by an IDVA or part of a UK government scheme –  under the Afghan Resettlement programme or Hong Kong BNO scheme (must have been in the UK less than 3 years and ESOL funding not claimed by another provider).

Our main courses run for 30 weeks over the academic year (September 2026 to July 2027) for 4 hours per week, or 2 hours per week with creche, and we only ask for a small contribution to be paid at the start of the course – usually around £150 – just £5 per week. This is the only charge and includes the cost of all teaching, materials, exam fees, a crèche space (where needed and available), and free access to other short courses or activities at CLEAR. 

Demand is high and places are limited, so regular attendance is very important.

* Eligibility

Due to restrictions in our funding, we are not always able to offer a place to people who aren’t eligible for funding, which includes:

  • If you hold a spouse visa for less than 3 years
  • If you are an asylum seeker with an appeal claim less than 6 months old

Attending the Assessment

Once we have booked you in for an assessment, we start by asking for some information about you and how confident you are with reading, writing, speaking and listening in English. If we can help you, we will suggest which course may be best for you. If we have a space available, we will enrol you and give you details about when it is starting. To find out more about our courses, visit our ESOL page.

If we are unable to offer you a place, we will explain why and suggest some other places you could learn English. If spaces do become available, we will update the website and open our online enquiry form.

Referring someone to learn ESOL at CLEAR…

If you would like to refer someone to CLEAR who is interested in improving their English, please complete the form, indicating that you are applying on behalf of someone else – the form is here.