Free English functional skills courses* 

Many jobs ask you to have good English skills. If you don’t have an English GCSE, it can sometimes hold you back from getting the job you really want. A functional skills qualification boosts your skills and builds confidence in English.  

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Skills for communication - reading, writing and listening

Advance your reading, writing and listening skills. Grow your vocabulary and refresh your knowledge of grammar. Functional skills qualifications builds you up the next level of your work or education.  

This isn’t like being back at school. You’ll gain communication skills that you’ll use in everyday life or work.  

Learn how to read official letters and complete complicated forms with ease. Study how to communicate and present your ideas clearly. Help the kids with their homework. Improve your public speaking. 

A different approach to learning

You’ll learn in small classes, with supportive tutors who can tailor teaching to your individual needs. If you're looking for courses that are free but have great teaching, learn with us. Start your journey today and work up to your functional skills English level two qualification. 

Improving your writing and reading skills as an adult opens the door to new opportunities. 

A practical qualification

Gain the qualification and confidence needed to get into good jobs or go on to further education. Want to get functional skills English and maths qualifications together? Book yourself onto a maths course as well. 

*Over 90% of applicants for skills courses do not need to pay a fee. Subject to status - courses are free for unemployed people, job seekers and people on low wage. If you do not qualify you will be alerted during the application process.

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Functional Skills English

Get an English qualification to help you access a variety of work and study options. Functional skills courses in English teach you to read, write, and communicate confidently in English. Functional skills English isn’t like learning English at school. This is an English course for adults created by adults. Develop practical English skills by learning language in context.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 12/09/2023 -
Tue 04/06/2024
Course code:
P00000004
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee:
Free

Pre-Entry English: English Language: The Origins of the English Language

This course is an exploration of the development of the English language over time. You will consider the diversity, origins and history of English words through seven lenses: the Anglo-Saxons; the Vikings; Biblical language; the Bards of England; Naval slang; Pronunciation, dialect and accent; and World English. Along the way you will discover the surprising story of English via all sorts of rude, legal and astonishing words and you will debate the place of English in the world today. No previous knowledge or experience of studying linguistics is necessary. Everyone is welcome to join this fascinating course!
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/01/2024 -
Tue 20/02/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
URC Lounge, Brookmans Park
Oaklands Avenue
Brookmans Park
AL9 7UJ
Tutor:
Rebecca Eliahoo Charles
Course code:
Q00012869
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 1)

This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority Develop skills to help you read, write, and communicate in English with confidence. Improved language skills open doors to work and study opportunities and help you learn key skills for employment. Level 1 functional skills courses are not like learning English at school. They’re created by adults for adults, and aim to teach you practical English skills through real-life situations. Strengthen your writing skills and learn reading techniques to help you tackle everyday situations at work or while studying. This adult English course helps you develop your language skills through real-life situations.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/01/2024 -
Wed 13/03/2024
Times:
12:45pm - 3:45pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Location:
St Thomas Childrens Centre (Birmingham)
Bell Barn Road
Birmingham
B15 2AF
Tutor:
Aikaterini Chamberlain
Course code:
Q00011165
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00

Get Ready for Functional Skills English Level 1

Improved language skills open doors to work and study opportunities and help you learn key skills for employment. The level 1 functional skills courses are not like learning English at school. They’re created by adults for adults, and aim to teach you practical English skills through real-life situations. Strengthen your writing skills and learn reading techniques to help you tackle everyday situations at work or while studying. This adult English course helps you develop your language skills through real-life situations.
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Course Information

Dates:
Thu 18/01/2024 -
Thu 07/03/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
The Focus Centre (Peterborough)
Chestnut Avenue
Peterborough
PE1 4PE
Tutor:
Mahreen Bashir
Course code:
Q00012326
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Pre-Entry English: ESOL, maths & English: Everyday Communication Skills

Do you want to start learning English? Do you lack confidence when speaking in everyday situations like at the doctor’s, at your child’s school, out shopping or on public transport? If English is not your first language and you want to learn at a beginner level and become more confident to speak to people, this course will get you started with some of the words and phrases needed to communicate in everyday situations. It will also give you confidence with some basic digital communication skills. In addition, we will help you to practise giving your own information and filling in forms accurately.
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Course Information

Dates:
Fri 19/01/2024 -
Fri 22/03/2024
Times:
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Sneinton Community CIC
Edale Road
Sneinton
Nottingham
NG2 4HT
Tutor:
Miriam Hiebert
Course code:
Q00012718
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 2)

There are many reasons to study this English functional skills course but you might be surprised to know that they’re not academic. Whether you want to feel more confident at public speaking or would like to study an apprenticeship or traineeship, this Level 2 English Functional Skills course can help you achieve your goals in a fun and practical way. Functional skills courses teach you English skills for learning, life, and work- not just to pass an exam. Enjoy the learning process as you watch your vocabulary grow, your spelling improve, and your confidence soar. If you’re fed up with academic courses and want to learn English in a practical and gratifying way, you won’t regret taking this English functional skills level 2 course.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 05/02/2024 -
Tue 04/06/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
27 sessions
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Tutor:
Joanna Browning-Seyfi
Course code:
Q00012888
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Entry 2)

Continue developing English skills to help you in work and everyday life situations. This functional skills English entry 2 course teaches you skills for reading, writing, and communicating in English. Learn how to improve your writing skills and build on the basic reading skills from entry 1. Adult English courses teach you practical communication skills to help you get a job or study. Develop your English skills through real-life situations. This course teaches you tools and resources to improve your use of English in new and familiar situations. These skills can help you succeed in your studies, professional situations, and social interactions. This is a government-funded accredited English course for adults.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 20/02/2024 -
Thu 13/06/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
28 sessions
Tutor:
Averil West
Course code:
Q00011484
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 2)

There are many reasons to study this English functional skills course but you might be surprised to know that they’re not academic. Whether you want to feel more confident at public speaking or would like to study an apprenticeship or traineeship, this Level 2 English Functional Skills course can help you achieve your goals in a fun and practical way. Functional skills courses teach you English skills for learning, life, and work- not just to pass an exam. Enjoy the learning process as you watch your vocabulary grow, your spelling improve, and your confidence soar. If you’re fed up with academic courses and want to learn English in a practical and gratifying way, you won’t regret taking this English functional skills level 2 course.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 20/02/2024 -
Fri 14/06/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
28 sessions
Tutor:
Richard Bell
Course code:
Q00011491
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 1)

Develop skills to help you read, write, and communicate in English with confidence. Improved language skills open doors to work and study opportunities and help you learn key skills for employment. Level 1 functional skills courses are not like learning English at school. They’re created by adults for adults, and aim to teach you practical English skills through real-life situations. Strengthen your writing skills and learn reading techniques to help you tackle everyday situations at work or while studying. This adult English course helps you develop your language skills through real-life situations. Functional Skills level 1 is a government-funded accredited English course for adults.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 20/02/2024 -
Fri 07/06/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
26 sessions
Tutor:
Richard Bell
Course code:
Q00011487
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00