Functional Skills English (Daytime & Evening)

Functional Skills English is a nationally recognised qualification and a practical alternative to GCSE. Designed to reflect real-life use of English, it can help you communicate more confidently in everyday situations, at work, and in further education. We offer Functional Skills English from Entry Level 1 through to Level 2, ensuring that learners of all abilities are supported to achieve and progress.

The first seven weeks will focus on an Introduction to Functional Skills English, helping you strengthen your core skills and prepare for the main qualification. With expert guidance from your teacher, you’ll receive the support you need to achieve your goals. 

If you currently find reading or writing particularly challenging, we may suggest starting with our English Confidence for Life and Work course to help you build a strong foundation.

During the course, you will develop skills in the following areas:

• Speaking, Listening and Communicating 
• Reading 
• Writing 

Content at each level builds in that at lower levels. 

You will be fully supported by your teacher throughout the course. However, it is important that you are motivated and committed, as this is a demanding qualification. In addition to your weekly lessons, you will be expected to complete around two hours of self-study each week, including homework and online resources.

For the first seven weeks, you will be enrolled on an Introduction to Functional Skills English course. This foundation phase will focus on building the key skills you need to succeed. At the end of this period, you’ll complete a progress assessment and take part in a one-to-one meeting with your teacher to review your strengths and areas for development, and to confirm the most appropriate level of qualification moving forward.

We offer Functional Skills English classes at a range of levels from Entry 1 to Level 2. To ensure you are placed in the most appropriate daytime class, you will be invited to attend a welcome event. While you should feel reasonably comfortable with basic English skills, our aim is to support you from your individual starting point.

At the welcome event, you’ll meet our friendly team, learn about the different qualification levels available, and complete a short initial assessment. We will guide and support you throughout the process, helping you progress onto a course that suits your needs and goals.

If you currently find basic writing and reading skills challenging, we recommend applying for our English Confidence for Life and Work course as a supportive first step.

The qualification is assessed in three sections over three separate assessments. Speaking and Listening is an internally set and marked assessments completed in class by your teacher, and both the reading and writing exams are externally set and marked. The formal exams will take place at a point when your tutor feels you are ready and an assessment window becomes available, but no later than the April. 

In addition, you will complete regular in class assessments with your teacher to monitor your progress and get you ready for the qualification exams. Feedback and actions will be provided after each assessment, with resources available to further develop your skills within your 2 hours independent study time.

For further information, please contact our Adult Education Team on 01782 254211 or email adult.education@nscg.ac.uk.

Once you have successfully achieved your Functional Skills qualification, you will have the opportunity to progress to the next level. After completing Level 1, you can choose to move on to either Level 2 or GCSE English, depending on your goals and confidence.

This course is FREE to adults aged 19+ who have been a UK/EU Resident for 3 years or more.