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. You will be supported by your tutor to prepare for 3 assessments for the Functional Skills English qualification - speaking, listening and communication, reading and writing. These will take place during your course.

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 Level 1

This course is funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority area. 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. Functional Skills qualifications are free if you don't already have a GCSE in English or Maths at grades A*-C, or 4-9. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/06/2026 -
Mon 27/07/2026
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Korhan Celiker
Course code:
Q00028245
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £440.00

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 1)

This course is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority area. 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. Functional Skills qualifications are free if you don't already have a GCSE in English or Maths at grades A*-C, or 4-9. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/07/2026 -
Thu 30/07/2026
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Location:
Centre 63 (Liverpool)
Old Hall Lane
Liverpool
L32 5TH
Tutor:
Stephen Flynn
Course code:
Q00028026
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £440.00

English for Learning and Life

This course is funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority area. English for Learning and Life is a pre‑entry course designed to help learners build the early language, confidence and study skills needed for everyday life in the UK and for progression to the Get Ready for ESOL course. Learners develop essential skills such as recognising familiar words, understanding simple classroom language, and using basic English to communicate needs in routine situations. The course introduces simple reading and writing tasks, supports learners to build confidence in group activities and helps them develop early learning habits. It provides a supportive first step for learners who are new to English or new to learning.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/08/2026 -
Thu 03/09/2026
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
ADAB /Mosses Centre
Edward Street
Bury
BL9 0RZ
Tutor:
TBC T.B.C
Course code:
Q00027295
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £360.00

English For Work Readiness

This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the West Midlands Combined Authority area. English for Work Readiness (Entry 3) develops the language needed for more complex everyday and work‑related communication. Learners practise taking part in discussions, understanding longer explanations, reading everyday documents and writing short paragraphs. The course builds confidence in communicating independently at home, in the community and in work‑related situations. Activities focus on real‑life tasks such as making arrangements, giving opinions, understanding procedures and writing clear messages. This course prepares learners for Level 1 ESOL course such as English for Work and Study or entry‑level employment.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 01/09/2026 -
Mon 28/09/2026
Times:
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00027446
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £192.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

English for Work and Study

This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the West Midlands Combined Authority area. English for Work and Study (Level 1) develops the language and study skills needed for more advanced communication in work, education and community settings. Learners practise taking part in extended discussions, understanding detailed explanations, reading longer texts and writing structured paragraphs. The course builds confidence in using English independently and accurately. Activities focus on real‑life tasks such as problem‑solving, presenting information, interpreting documents and writing for different purposes. This course prepares learners for Level 2 ESOL or further study.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 01/09/2026 -
Mon 28/09/2026
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00027460
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £192.00

English For Everyday Life

This course is funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority area. English for Everyday Life (Entry 1) helps learners develop basic English for daily communication. The course focuses on simple speaking, listening, reading and writing skills used in familiar situations such as shopping, travel, appointments and home routines. Learners practise short conversations, understand basic instructions, read simple words and sentences, and write short phrases. Activities are practical and confidence‑building, helping learners use English in real‑life situations. This course prepares learners for further ESOL study and progression to Entry 2 ESOL level courses such as Practical English Skills.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 01/09/2026 -
Mon 28/09/2026
Times:
9:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
St Andrews St Baptist Ch (Cambridge)
43 St. Andrews Street
Cambridge
CB2 3AR
Tutor:
Lisanne Ehall
Course code:
Q00027861
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £192.00

Get Ready for Functional Skills English

This course is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority area. This Get Ready for Functional Skills English course provides a supportive introduction to reading, writing, speaking and listening for adults working at Pre‑Entry level. Delivered over 24 guided learning hours across 12 two‑hour sessions, it helps learners build confidence, develop essential foundation skills and prepare for progression to Entry Level 1 Functional Skills English. Learners take part in practical, everyday activities such as recognising key words, understanding simple spoken information, writing short phrases and taking part in brief conversations. Taught in a relaxed, inclusive environment with no formal exams, the course builds confidence and readiness for further English study.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 02/09/2026 -
Wed 20/01/2027
Location:
STEC (Liverpool)
Unit House
Speke Boulevard
Liverpool
L24 9HZ
Course code:
Q00027896
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £192.00

English For Work Readiness

This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the West Midlands Combined Authority area. English for Work Readiness (Entry 3) develops the language needed for more complex everyday and work‑related communication. Learners practise taking part in discussions, understanding longer explanations, reading everyday documents and writing short paragraphs. The course builds confidence in communicating independently at home, in the community and in work‑related situations. Activities focus on real‑life tasks such as making arrangements, giving opinions, understanding procedures and writing clear messages. This course prepares learners for Level 1 ESOL course such as English for Work and Study or entry‑level employment.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 02/09/2026 -
Thu 24/09/2026
Times:
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00027447
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £192.00

English for Work and Study

This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the West Midlands Combined Authority area. English for Work and Study (Level 1) develops the language and study skills needed for more advanced communication in work, education and community settings. Learners practise taking part in extended discussions, understanding detailed explanations, reading longer texts and writing structured paragraphs. The course builds confidence in using English independently and accurately. Activities focus on real‑life tasks such as problem‑solving, presenting information, interpreting documents and writing for different purposes. This course prepares learners for Level 2 ESOL or further study.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 02/09/2026 -
Thu 24/09/2026
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00027461
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £192.00

Functional Skills English Level 2

This course is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority area. 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. Functional Skills qualifications are free if you don't already have a GCSE in English or Maths at grades A*-C, or 4-9. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 02/09/2026 -
Wed 24/02/2027
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
STEC (Liverpool)
Unit House
Speke Boulevard
Liverpool
L24 9HZ
Tutor:
Richard O'Brien
Course code:
Q00027895
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £440.00