English
Do you want to improve your English skills while gaining a qualification that could help you in the future?
It doesn't matter if you are a beginner, English isn't your first language, or you are looking to gain your GCSE qualification.
We offer a wide range of courses to suit every ability.
There are two types of English course:
- Accredited - courses that lead to a nationally recognised qualification
- Non-accredited - courses that can extend and build skills between accredited courses, or ones that are studied for the joy of learning something new, such as Creative Writing.
New courses are added over the year, so it is worth checking regularly.
We offer a Reader/Writer Development Programme for first steps into literacy, with high levels of support and small classes. The English Skills Awards provide qualifications at an early stage and support progress through the Entry levels of English Functional Skills. New for this year, "Stepping Stones Level 1", bridges the jump up from Functional Skills Entry Level 3 to Level 1. Functional Skills English Levels 1 and 2 are both qualifications that are widely recognised by employers. Level 2 or English GCSE are often essential for access to further or higher education. We also offer short "Step-Up" courses to introduce new qualifications and help you develop skills ready for the next step.
In response to the Covid 19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown we have developed an effective on-line or blended (a mix of face-to face and online) offering for learners. This has been hugely popular and is now standard in our programme for 2020-2021. Please check what is being offered across the county.
Our centre managers and their friendly teams will support you with finding the best level of course, through chatting with you about your previous experience, finding out what you are hoping to gain and supporting you through the induction process. Part of this is to complete an initial assessment - we offer a number of methods, depending on the level of the course and the needs of the individual. For additional needs we can offer one-to-one support. More information can be found below on initial assessment and the benefits of this process.
Our experienced and enthusiastic tutors offer you excellent levels of support and work with you to set and track realistic, but challenging personal targets. These targets help you to measure your own progress and stretch yourself further. Classes are usually small, allowing our tutors to offer personalised support to each learner. This supportive and learner-focused process has resulted in excellent achievement rates across both English and mathematics. We regularly achieve results that are much higher than the national average. This is testimony to the hard work of both tutors and learners and we are rightly very proud of this successful collaboration. We pride ourselves on always striving to improve.
We have learners who have learned to read and write with us and who are now sharing stories with their grandchildren, as well as learners who have achieved Level 2 Functional Skills or GCSE English, allowing them to sign up to their chosen degree course.
Why not join one of our classes? You will not regret your decision! Contact your local friendly team for more information and to arrange an initial assessment.
- Learn or refresh the basics and improve your skills and knowledge;
- Develop your English skills to assist you in your everyday and working life;
- Develop an interest or passion for reading, writing - or both;
- Establish your own starting point and work to achieve your personal goals;
- Gain widely recognised qualifications that are valued by employers;
- Improve other transferable skills such as independent working skills, time-keeping and many more.
