CALAT Croydon Adult Learning and Training
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Languages

Overview

We offer a wide range of Modern Foreign Languages, British Sign Language and Language training for Businesses. We also teach English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).

Contact languages1@croydon.gov.uk for more information, or call 020 8726 7777 extension 28179 or 28388

Courses

We offer the following language courses:

Dates and locations

There are multiple options on offer:

  • different venues across the borough, as well as online
  • at times to suit you – days, evenings and weekends
  • course duration from one week to 31 weeks

How to apply

To enrol, please search for your course and apply on our registration site.

Depending on the course, you may need to complete an initial assessment to check your skill level. This is particularly important if you are new to learning a language with CALAT but are not a complete beginner. 

Complete beginners and current CALAT learners do not need to take an assessment.

Qualifications

Modern Foreign Languages

In years 1 to 3 our French, German, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish courses are accredited by ABC Awards.

There are no formal written exams. Depending on your level you will work towards either the Entry Level 3 Award, Level 1 Award or Level 2 Award in Speaking and Listening and Reading and Writing skills.

You will create a small portfolio of assignments as part of normal classroom activities and assessments undertaken by your teacher, which are then moderated by ABC. These may include a short recorded speaking assessment.

All the costs of registration, assessment and certification are included in the course fee.

British Sign Language

Our Level 1 British Sign Language (BSL) courses are accredited by Signature. The course will help develop your signing skills and aid interaction with the deaf community.

No previous qualifications or experience are needed, however you do need to have a good standard of spoken and written English.

Languages for business

We have a wide variety of experienced and qualified teachers who are able to offer tailor-made language classes for your business and employment needs.

Language course levels

Use this guidance below to decide which level is right for you. You may also need to complete an assessment to check your skill level.

If you have travelled extensively and immersed yourself in a country or countries where the language is spoken, please contact us to discuss your level.

Beginners

For those who have never learned the language before or who have very limited knowledge.

Continuing Beginners

For those who have completed one of our Beginners courses and have done one term of study.

Improvers

For those who have studied the language for 1 to 2 years. You should be comfortable introducing yourself in another language.

Intermediate Lower

For those who have studied the language for 2 to 3 years. You can speak in informal social situations and make references to the past.

Intermediate Upper

For those who have studied the language for 3 to 4 years. You might already have a GCSE which you want to refresh.

Lower Advanced

For those who have obtained a good grade at GCSE or who can hold a general conversation in the language using a range of tenses.

Upper Advanced

For those who have studied the language for at least 5 years and are able to converse well with a native speaker.

Very Advanced Conversation

For those who have studied the language for at least 5 years who are able to converse confidently and fluently with a native speaker.