Community Essential Skills
Our Community Essential Skills courses are designed to help you build confidence in the core skills you need for everyday life, work and further study. Whether you want to improve your English, feel more comfortable using numbers, or develop your digital skills, these supportive courses help you take the first step.
You’ll learn in a friendly, local environment with experienced tutors who understand how to support adult learners at all levels. Courses focus on practical, real-life skills that you can use straight away—at home, in your community and in the workplace.
You can choose from a range of programmes, including:
- improving your English for everyday communication, work and life in London
- building confidence with maths for managing money, problem solving and daily tasks
- developing digital skills to get online, use devices and access services safely
Lessons are interactive and tailored to adult learners, with plenty of opportunities to practise, ask questions and learn at your own pace. There are no formal exams at this stage, so you can focus on building confidence step by step.
Courses are delivered in accessible community venues such as libraries, community centres and local WAES sites, making it easy to learn close to home. When you apply, you’ll be invited to a friendly interview so we can help place you on the right course for your level and goals.
These courses are free and open to adults with little or no prior experience in the subject area. They provide a clear pathway into further learning, helping you progress onto accredited ESOL, English, maths or digital skills qualifications, as well as other WAES courses that support your personal and career development.
Whether you’re returning to learning, developing new skills or preparing for your next step, our Community Essential Skills courses will help you build the confidence you need to move forward.
For more information, email communitylearning@waes.ac.uk or call WAES on 020 7297 7297.
Helps you to improve your Digital skills for work.
Gain Confidence in English is a welcoming Community ESOL course for adults who want to improve their English for everyday life and work. Whether you are new to English or already know a little, the course helps you build confidence step by step. Classes run from Pre-Entry to Entry 3 and provide a supportive space to practise speaking, listening, reading and writing with others in your local community.Lessons focus on real-life situations—such as talking to your child’s school, visiting the doctor, travelling around London or communicating at work—so you can use English in a practical and meaningful way.
Gain Confidence in Maths is a friendly community course designed for adults who want to improve their everyday numeracy skills. Whether you have always found maths difficult or simply want to refresh what you already know, this course helps you build confidence step by step.By strengthening your foundation in maths, you will develop the skills needed to manage real-life situations—from budgeting and understanding bills to comparing prices, planning journeys, or making informed decisions for work or home. Lessons are practical, supportive and easy to follow, using interactive activities, group discussions and real-world examples to make maths feel relevant and achievable.You will have plenty of chances to practise, ask questions, and apply what you learn in a safe and encouraging environment.
- Highly qualified and professionally experienced tutors
- Accessible Central London centres with bespoke facilities and great transport connections
- A wide range of in-person, online, distance learning and community-based courses
- Unique work experience opportunities through partnerships
- Guest speakers offer introductions to career pathways in a variety of sectors
- Excellent progression to employment, apprenticeships or further learning including university
