English

Course summary

This course is for anybody with very basic literacy skills to develop their everyday reading and writing.

It will help to improve day to day communication and support progression into further learning, such as into Entry Level Functional Skills English.

This is an in-person course taught at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington.

Entry requirements

• Aged 19+
• Have the right to live and work in the UK
• Reside in the DL postcode area
• Ability to speak basic English

What is the curriculum intent of this course?

The structure and delivery of the course’s curriculum will enable you to develop your skills in basic English reading and writing and improve your communication in your day to day life. It will also support your progression to further learning such as to Entry Level Functional Skills English courses.

What will the course cover?

The course will help you develop English language skills at pre-entry level. This includes reading and writing through various fun and engaging activities.

What could I do when I have finished this course?

At the end of this course, you will be provided with information, advice and guidance on progression courses and other learning opportunities based on your interests and needs. When you finish this course, you can progress to Functional Skills English at Entry level.

Where and when will I learn?

This course is delivered at the Coleridge Centre, Ribble Drive, Darlington, DL1 5AJ.

This course takes enrolments anytime during the dates specified below.

	Dates	Time
Coleridge Centre	3rd September 2024 - 17th July 2025	9.30am-11.30am

What do I need to bring with me?

Please bring the following:

• Pen
• Notebook

How much will the course cost?

This course is free of charge.

What do I do next?

Apply for the​ course

If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]

Course summary

This course is for anybody with very basic literacy skills to develop their everyday reading and writing.

It will help to improve day to day communication and support progression into further learning, such as into Entry Level Functional Skills English.

This is an in-person course taught at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington.

Entry requirements

• Aged 19+
• Have the right to live and work in the UK
• Reside in Darlington and the Tees Valley area
• Ability to speak and read basic English

What is the curriculum intent of this course?

The structure and delivery of the course’s curriculum will enable you to develop your skills in reading and improve your reading skills in your day to day life, as well as encouraging you to read for pleasure.

It will also support your progression to further learning such as to Entry Level Functional Skills English courses.

What will the course cover?

The course will help you develop English reading skills at Entry Level.

This includes reading through various fun and engaging activities, as well as time to read independently.

What could I do when I have finished this course?

At the end of this course, you will be provided with information, advice and guidance on progression courses and other learning opportunities based on your interests and needs.

When you finish this course, you can progress to Functional Skills English at Entry level.

Where and when will I learn?

Venue	Date / Weeks	Time
Darlington Library	10th September - 8th October, 5 weeks	1.15pm - 3pm
Darlington Library	5th November - 3rd December, 5 weeks	1.15pm - 3pm

What do I need to bring with me?

Please bring the following:

• Pen
• Notebook

How much will the course cost?

This course is free of charge.

What do I do next?

Apply for the​ course

If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]

Course summary

This course is for anybody who does not have an English qualification.

You will build up the basics of English so that you can develop you skills to move on to higher levels.

This is an in-person course taught at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington.

Once you have completed the course, you may like to progress to a Level 1 or Level 2 (equivalent to a GCSE).

Entry requirements

• Are aged 19 years or older;
• Have been a UK, EU or EEA resident continuously for the previous three years;
• Have the right to live and work in the UK, EU or EEA

Curriculum intent

The design and delivery of the curriculum in this course will enable learners to up-skill and develop confidence in using English which will support them to enter employment, return to work or progress to further learning.

Each level of Functional Skills English builds on the previous level up to the completion of a Level 2 qualification.

These qualifications are nationally recognised.

Initial assessments

• You must sit an assessment to join an English course
• Assessments are held every Friday between 1pm-3.30pm at the Coleridge Centre. You can also sit the assessment online if you cannot come in-centre. Assessments are not held on bank holidays or during school holidays
• Assessments take approximately 1 hour
• The level at which you join an English course is dependent on your results of the initial assessment and any previous qualifications you may hold
• You may incur a waiting period in between completing your assessment and starting lessons

Levels

We offer English at the following levels:

• Entry Level 1
• Entry Level 2
• Entry Level 3

Course content

Entry level

• Punctuation and grammar
• Communicating by email and letter
• Writing a CV and presenting information in sequence
• Sentence construction
• Understanding texts
• Writing and reading skills
• Speaking and listening skills

Time and location

• You will attend one 2 hour lesson per week at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington
• English courses are roll on/roll off - there is no set start or end date and you will work at your own pace
• Courses are held on a variety of days and times

Equipment

Please bring:

• a notepad
• a pen (or a digital device) to take notes
• a file to store your work

Cost

This course is free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria above. If you do not meet any one of the three criteria listed, you can pay for the course - please contact us on the details below for costs.

Exams

• You must sit a mandatory exams to achieve your qualification
• Exams take place at The Coleridge Centre or Bennet House in Darlington
• Under no circumstances can you sit your exam at home or at any other venue
• Exams for Functional Skills in England are set by the Department for Education in cooperation with national exam boards. There are no nationally set dates and times for functional skills exams, you will only sit an exam after a period of study when your tutor and yourself mutually agree you are exam ready
• English exams take approximately two hours to complete

Progression

After this course has finished you may like to progress to the next level in English which might be a higher Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas. 

What do I do next?

Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.

Course summary

This course is for anybody who has an English qualification below GCSE level or those who want to further improve their English skills.

It’s also the next step up for those who have completed the Entry Level English course.

This is an in-person course taught at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington.

Entry requirements

• Are aged 19 years or older;
• Have been a UK, EU or EEA resident continuously for the previous three years;
• Have the right to live and work in the UK, EU or EEA

Curriculum intent

The design and delivery of the curriculum in this course will enable learners to up-skill and develop confidence in using English which will support them to enter employment, return to work or progress to further learning.

Each level of Functional Skills English builds on the previous level up to the completion of a Level 2 qualification.

These qualifications are nationally recognised.

Initial assessments

• You must sit an assessment to join an English course
• Assessments are held every Friday between 1pm-3.30pm at the Coleridge Centre. You can also sit the assessment online if you cannot come in-centre. Assessments are not held on bank holidays or during school holidays
• Assessments take approximately 1 hour
• The level at which you join an English course is dependent on your results of the initial assessment and any previous qualifications you may hold
• You may incur a waiting period in between completing your assessment and starting lessons

Levels

We offer English at the following levels:

• Level 1 (equivalent to GCSE grade 1-3 / old graded D-G)
• Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grade 4 / old grade C)

Course content

Level 1 and level 2

• Punctuation and grammar
• Understanding the purpose of texts
• Writing for purpose using correct language, layout, style and conventions
• Homophones for improved spelling
• Persuasive, informative, descriptive and instructional texts
• Sentence construction - get your message across clearly and logically
• Root words, prefixes, suffixes for spelling and meaning of words
• Verbs, tenses - improve your writing
• Fact, opinion, bias - reading between the lines
• Writing and reading skills - write reports, articles, leaflets, formal letters
• Speaking and listening skills - create and present a presentation and take part in group discussions

Time and location

• You will attend one 2 hour lesson per week at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington
• English courses are roll on/roll off - there is no set start or end date and you will work at your own pace
• Courses are held on a variety of days and times

Equipment

Please bring:

• a notepad
• a pen (or a digital device) to take notes
• a file to store your work

Cost

This course is free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria above. If you do not meet any one of the three criteria listed, you can pay for the course - please contact us on the details below for costs.

Exams

• You must sit a mandatory exams to achieve your qualification
• Exams take place at The Coleridge Centre or Bennet House in Darlington
• Under no circumstances can you sit your exam at home or at any other venue
• Exams for Functional Skills in England are set by the Department for Education in cooperation with national exam boards. There are no nationally set dates and times for functional skills exams, you will only sit an exam after a period of study when your tutor and yourself mutually agree you are exam ready
• English exams take approximately two hours to complete

Progression

After this course has finished you may like to progress to the next level in English which might be a higher Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas. 

What do I do next?

Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.