English
English is as a basic, fundamental skill and encompasses speaking, reading, writing, comprehension and application.
If you do not have a formal English qualification it can be hard to find work or progress in your career. We offer a variety of English courses for people aged 19 and over who do not already have a level 2 (GCSE equivalent) English qualification and for people whose first language is not English.
All of our English courses are free of charge, provided you meet the criteria.
Visit our support for learners page for criteria details.
Our class sizes are small and we offer personalised support to help learners achieve their goals.
Students who have not already achieved grade 4 or above in GCSE English will receive additional help to gain this qualification.
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 | Enrolments anytime - 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?
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.
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.
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?
Please contact us for more information and course dates.
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?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
ESOL courses are for people whose first language is not English.
The course will help you to:
- Learn English
- Develop communication skills for everyday life
- Get confident in reading, writing and speaking English
Hear from current and former learners on our Functional Skills courses in the video below.
Need more information?
If you have any queries about our English courses, please do not hesitate to contact us.