Guidance

Learn to speak, read and write English: Homes for Ukraine

Resources and training to learn English.

From:
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Published
16 January 2023
Last updated
16 August 2023 — See all updates

English and Employment support Programme

Understanding English will help you when adapting to life in the UK.

The UK government is funding STEP Ukraine which is a completely free, virtual 12-week English language and employment support programme for Ukrainians in the UK. Thousands of Ukrainians have already benefited from STEP Ukraine, achieving improved job prospects and English language skills whilst here in the UK. There are only a limited number of spaces still available on STEP Ukraine, and we recommend applying as soon as possible on World Jewish Relief’s website.

Who is eligible for STEP Ukraine

  • Ukrainians from all backgrounds who are over the age of 18
  • Living in the UK on one of the following Ukraine Scheme visas; the Homes for Ukraine Scheme (including Welsh and Scottish super sponsorship schemes), the Ukraine Family Scheme, or the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

What does STEP Ukraine involve

  • An intensive 10 weeks of 2.5 hour daily English classes by the British Council, with options to take the lessons morning, afternoon or evening
  • 12 weeks of weekly employment support with a dedicated employment advisor, to support with: CV writing, job applications, interview prep, support with job search, and specialist workshops
  • All classes are remote, and teacher led. They are streamed so you will be with classmates at a similar level.
  • STEP Ukraine is delivered by World Jewish Relief and the British Council.

How to join STEP Ukraine

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Resources

You can also contact your local council to find out more about ESOL courses.

Some charities also offer a range of English courses. The courses available differ across the country, for example:

There are also ESOL websites and apps for different age groups:

Younger children

  • Free brintable books for early reading
  • LearnEnglish Kids: free games, stories and activities for children. There is also advice for parents on supporting children to learn English, and information about English courses for children
  • Learning Village: Resource for supporting English as an Additional Language (EAL) students between 6 to 16 years old. Also provides resources for SEND learners
  • Twinkl: teaching and learning resources to support EAL in early years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
  • Badger Learning is publishing 6 eBooks in a dual-language format, with English and Ukrainian text side by side. Suitable for children in key stages 2 and 3. Badger Learning is offering these as free resources to schools to support

Teenagers

  • Language nut English offers free language learning resources for supporting Ukrainians to learn English at school or independently (covers proficiency levels CEFR A1 to B2)
  • Future Learn: Free online 4-week course to help people learn basic individual skills (join with ‘limited access’ for the free 4-week course).
  • LearnEnglish Teens: improve English with reading, writing and listening practice, tips for exams, grammar and vocabulary exercises, and games and videos.
  • News in levels: learn 3,000 words in English by reading and listening to news articles at different levels.
  • Babbel is an online language learning platform offering native Ukrainian speakers the opportunity to learn German, Polish or English through free self-study lessons
  • The Duolingo English Test is a CEFR-aligned test of English proficiency and is recognised by some universities and education providers who can get this test for free for their Ukrainian students. They provide information about how to access free Duolingo English Test coupons

Your local public library will also offer a range of learning services.

Updates to this page

Published 16 January 2023
Last updated 16 August 2023 + show all updates

  1. Added translation

  2. Added details about the STEP Ukraine programme.

  3. Added translation

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