Knowledge Bank
The B1 English Gap in UK Social Care, and How to Close It
Back to Menu ↩ The visa route that rebuilt the frontline care workforce set the English bar at B1. That route has now closed to
July 21, 2026
Many still believe refugee and migrant learners must attend in-person English classes to build social connections. But this overlooks so many learners who:
✅ Can’t leave home due to childcare, health, or cultural reasons
✅ Work shifts that don’t allow fixed schedules
✅ Live far from colleges or centres running ESOL classes
✅ Need specialist courses like OET/IELTS, English for Care, or practical language for housing, work, or driving
They’re flexible, accessible, and inclusive—connecting learners across regions, taught by expert teachers no matter where they’re based. And yes, they’re also social, interactive, and engaging.
Chris Moore, SLC’s Managing Director,
recently shared SLC’s employability-focused online ESOL offer with the South West Councils Regional ESOL Network.
👉 Download the full presentation here and see how online ESOL is opening doors for learners everywhere:
Back to Menu ↩ The visa route that rebuilt the frontline care workforce set the English bar at B1. That route has now closed to
Contact us Back to Menu ↩ In this article, Laura Wiggin, Curriculum Manager for ESOL, Skills and Community Interpreting at Hopwood Hall College, shares how the
Contact us Back to Menu ↩ Roughly half of the migrants and refugees arriving in the UK already hold a degree or equivalent tertiary qualification.[1] They include
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