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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English for Learning and Life

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. 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.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 10/09/2026 -
Fri 13/11/2026
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
18 sessions
Location:
The Joseph Lappin Centre (Liverpool)
Mill Lane
Old Swan
Liverpool
L13 5TF
Tutor:
Stephen Flynn
Course code:
Q00027930
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £360.00

English for Learning and Life

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. 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.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 10/09/2026 -
Fri 13/11/2026
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
18 sessions
Location:
The Joseph Lappin Centre (Liverpool)
Mill Lane
Old Swan
Liverpool
L13 5TF
Tutor:
Stephen Flynn
Course code:
Q00027931
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £360.00

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.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 10/09/2026 -
Thu 03/12/2026
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
23 sessions
Location:
Longsight Community Church of Nazarene (
Toll Gate Close
Manchester
M13 0LG
Tutor:
Shahnaz Ahmed
Course code:
Q00027290
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £360.00

Functional Skills English Entry 3

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. Continue developing your English skills to open doors to work and study opportunities. This entry 3 functional skills course helps you learn English skills employers look for. Gain practical skills to improve your reading, writing, and verbal communication in English. 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 entry 3 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 14/09/2026 -
Fri 04/12/2026
Times:
9:15am - 11:45am
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Phoenix House
1 King Street
Leicester
LE1 6RN
Tutor:
TBC T.B.C
Course code:
Q00027254
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £440.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

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 14/09/2026 -
Fri 04/12/2026
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Holyoake House (Manchester)
Holyoake House
Hanover Street
Manchester
M60 0AS
Tutor:
TBC T.B.C
Course code:
Q00027192
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ 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.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 15/09/2026 -
Thu 22/10/2026
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
18 sessions
Location:
Manchester Chinese Centre (Ardwick)
67 Ardwick Green North
Ardwick
M12 6FX
Tutor:
Rukhsar Azam
Course code:
Q00027288
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £360.00

Functional Skills English Entry 3

This course is funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority and only available to residents living within the East Midlands Combined County Authority area. Continue developing your English skills to open doors to work and study opportunities. This entry 3 functional skills course helps you learn English skills employers look for. Gain practical skills to improve your reading, writing, and verbal communication in English. 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 entry 3 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 21/09/2026 -
Wed 16/12/2026
Times:
9:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
Nottingham learning centre classroom 2
39 Mapperley Road
Nottingham
Nottingham
NG3 5AQ
Tutor:
Penelope Golland
Course code:
Q00027132
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £440.00

Functional Skills English Entry 3

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. Continue developing your English skills to open doors to work and study opportunities. This entry 3 functional skills course helps you learn English skills employers look for. Gain practical skills to improve your reading, writing, and verbal communication in English. 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 entry 3 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 21/09/2026 -
Fri 11/12/2026
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Whitehawk
Whitehawk Road
Brighton and Hove
BN2 5NS
Tutor:
TBC T.B.C
Course code:
Q00027468
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £440.00

Functional Skills English Level 1

This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the West Midlands 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 29/09/2026 -
Tue 08/12/2026
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
19 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00027398
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £440.00

Functional Skills English Level 1

This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the West Midlands 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:
Wed 30/09/2026 -
Wed 09/12/2026
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
19 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00027401
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Funding available - £440.00