Our English Cafe is for people whose first language is not English. It has been offered online since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is offered on Fridays between 12 - 2pm. Please contact us if you live in the Telford, Shropshire or wider Marches area, English is not your first language and you are interested in joining in. The classes not only support people to practise their English skills but also help you to socialise and to make friends. The classes are taught by a qualified Tutor from the University's International Academy who is supported by volunteer tutors. 

The IELTS (International English Language Testing Scheme) preparation course is in collaboration with the University of Wolverhampton's International Academy. 

If you need to gain an advanced qualification in English for study or employment, the Cambridge IELTS is one of the most widely accepted in the U.K.

Our qualified and highly experienced team from the International Academy offers the IELTS Preparation Course to help prepare for this test by providing:-

• Specific guidance for all four skills
• Sessions on exam technique
• Exam practice
• Personalised feedback

       in order to give you every chance of reaching your target IELTS band.

IELTS Preparation Course can help prepare you for the IELTS Academic Test.

The IELTS Academic test is accepted by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as proof of English proficiency for those wishing to study in the UK. If you are applying for a Tier 4 Student Visa to enter directly onto a bachelor or postgraduate degree at a University that is a Tier 4 Sponsor, you must meet the English language level set by the institution. All British universities and colleges accept IELTS results.

The Knitting Group which meets every Wednesday evening at the Centre engages with the community to do something practical and valuable, links to the University of Wolverhampton’s specialist expertise in dementia care, supports the work of one of its key partners, the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, and supports people of all ages to come together to share, learn and have fun. The group's aims are learning crafts, forging friendships and supporting well-being. Everybody is welcome. 

The group began in the summer of 2019 in response to a plea by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust (SaTH) for people to make blankets for dementia patients. During the coronavirus pandemic, members of the group have also responded to urgent calls from the NHS to provide PPE for the staff at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford. They have sewn scrubs for nurses and ear bands for face masks. They are also continuing to knit hats for premature babies, and poppies for Remembrance Day and sunflowers for Cradle Day. They have also raised money for local charities by selling knitted items and they provide knitted items for charity appeals such as Operation Sabre. 

The group is continuing to connect via Facebook Messenger Video, Zoom and email to ensure that no-one is feeling isolated or lonely.

The STEMReponse Team at the University delivers a range of fun and educational STEM workshops in the school holidays for children and their parents and carers. There are a range of themes which include: 'What's Inside Me? - Human Anatomy', 'Rocket Making', 'Introduction to Robotics', 'the CSI Journey'. Each workshop is linked to the curriculum themes and is age appropriate for the different Keystage groups in primary and seconday schools. 

British Sign Language classes are offered by the Department for Deaf Studies and Interpreting and Languages. They are normally offered on Wednesday evenings in the Centre from 6 - 9pm. The qualifications offered are Signature Level 1 in British Sign Language. This Level 1 qualification is divided into three units (101, 102 & 103). Each unit has 7 weeks of teaching plus an assessment week. For up-to-date information about course fees, please contact us on tel: 01952 277777 or email: enquiries@uctelford.co.uk 

Signature Level 1 in British Sign Language

By studying Level 1 in British Sign Language with Signature, you will learn many skills and develop a completely new way of communicating. Using a practical approach, you will gain insight into the grammar of BSL, a knowledge of signs relating to everyday life and the ability to finger spell. 

Qualification structure

The qualification is divided into three units, each of which can be achieved separately. Learners who are new to BSL should cover BSL101 first, as units BSL102 and BSL103 build on this knowledge. Units BSL102 and BSL103 can be taken in any order.

To achieve the full Level 1 Award in British Sign Language, candidates must pass all units.

The Qualification is split into three units:

BSL101 - Introduction to BSL BSL102 - Conversational BSL BSL103 - Communicate in BSL about everyday life  

Qualification objectives

At the end of the qualification, learners will be able to:

understand and use a limited range of simple words and sentences in BSL take part in simple, everyday conversations in BSL give and follow simple directions or instructions in BSL give and follow simple familiar statements or descriptions in BSL

To find out more information about your Level 1 qualification, visit:

https://www.signature.org.uk/british-sign-language

The Centre has offered a paid Spanish course over 12 weeks with two hours of tuition per week. The course was offered in conjunction with the University’s International Academy at a cost of £145 per person. Fees for future courses have yet to be decided. Due to the coronavirus pandemic these courses will be offered from January 2021 at the earliest. Please contact us for futher details. 

We plan to offer more Languages for Fun sessions in Spanish and also in other languages such as German, French, Italian, Mandarin depending on demand. The classes have to be paid for in advance.  They can only be run with a minimum of 12 participants in order to cover all teaching costs. Each session lasts two hours, with lessons taking place in the daytime or evening. 

Our non-accredited Modern Language Courses, “Languages for Fun”, offer the opportunity to:

• learn a new language or refresh one of your existing languages
• prepare for studying or working abroad
• develop skills to help you do business in a foreign language
• gain basic knowledge before a holiday
• gain an insight into another culture. 

Languages for Fun is flexible and we are happy to run courses if there is demand for groups of 12 people or more.

On completion the participants will obtain a certificate of attendance. There is the possibility of ABC accreditation at an extra minimum charge approximatively £15-30 depending on the level.

We attend many of the Council's larger events in the Town Park such as the Balloon Fiesta, Spring into St George's Day and Southwater Comic Con so that we can raise awareness of the opportunities that higher education can bring and promote the Centre and the University of Wolverhampton. We also attend events in the Southwater building such as National Volunteering Day. Attendance at careers events in schools and colleges helps us to raise aspirations and to raise higher skills locally.