A new service is launching in Norwich to help non-native English speakers find the right language courses.

The initiative, called HubL, is the brainchild of Nicky Turner, who was inspired after winning the People's Vote at the "Sync the City" competition last year.

The competition connects people with ideas to those who can help turn them into viable businesses.

Ms Turner, who has extensive experience teaching English as a second language, said: "It was nerve-wracking.

“I knew I had a good idea, and I know about teaching English as a second language but I’ve never run a business.”

HubL initiative to help non-native English speakers in Norwich HubL initiative to help non-native English speakers in Norwich (Image: Ann Nicholls)

She came up with the idea for HubL after noticing the challenges non-native English speakers face in finding suitable courses, especially those newly arrived in the UK.

Ms Turner said: “There are lots of course providers out there, but no one signposting learners to the course that best suits their needs and current level of English.

“We are really lucky in Norwich to have such a great choice, but it’s hard to make that choice if you don’t know where to go.”

Since November, Ms Turner and co-director Kate Wallace have established a not-for-profit company to develop the project, with the help of some of their Sync the City team.

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The result is HubL, a one-stop shop for learners to get an assessment of their level of English, and their particular needs, and to then be signposted to the most appropriate course.

Any non-native English speaker can access it at no cost.

A National Lottery Awards for All grant has enabled Ms Turner and Ms Wallace to get the project up and running and it launched on October 1.