Cumbria Adult Learning

English

Do you want to improve your English skills while gaining a qualification that could help you in the future? 

It doesn't matter if you are a beginner, English isn't your first language, or you are looking to gain your GCSE qualification. 

We offer a wide range of courses to suit every ability.

Whether you are aiming to gain GCSE English or are considering feeling your way into developing your literacy skills, we have a course to suit, with all the steps in between.

Search for English Courses

English

English courses

There are two types of English course:

  • Accredited - courses that lead to a nationally recognised qualification
  • Non-accredited - courses that can extend and build skills between accredited courses, or ones that are studied for the joy of learning something new, such as Creative Writing.  

New courses are added over the year, so it is worth checking regularly.

We offer a Reader/Writer Development Programme for first steps into literacy, with high levels of support and small classes. The English Skills Awards provide qualifications at an early stage and support progress through the Entry levels of English Functional Skills. New for this year, "Stepping Stones Level 1", bridges the jump up from Functional Skills Entry Level 3 to Level 1. Functional Skills English Levels 1 and 2 are both qualifications that are widely recognised by employers. Level 2 or English GCSE are often essential for access to further or higher education. We also offer short "Step-Up" courses to introduce new qualifications and help you develop skills ready for the next step. 

We have developed an effective on-line or blended (a mix of face-to face and online) offering for learners. This has been hugely popular and is now standard in our programmes. Please check what is being offered across the county.

Getting started

Our centre managers and their friendly teams will support you with finding the best level of course, through chatting with you about your previous experience, finding out what you are hoping to gain and supporting you through the induction process. Part of this is to complete an initial assessment - we offer a number of methods, depending on the level of the course and the needs of the individual. For additional needs we can offer one-to-one support. More information can be found below on initial assessment and the benefits of this process.

About out tutors and classes

Our experienced and enthusiastic tutors offer you excellent levels of support and work with you to set and track realistic, but challenging personal targets. These targets help you to measure your own progress and stretch yourself further.  Classes are usually small, allowing our tutors to offer personalised support to each learner.  This supportive and learner-focused process has resulted in excellent achievement rates across both English and mathematics.  We regularly achieve results that are much higher than the national average. This is testimony to the hard work of both tutors and learners and we are rightly very proud of this successful collaboration. We pride ourselves on always striving to improve.

We have learners who have learned to read and write with us and who are now sharing stories with their grandchildren, as well as learners who have achieved Level 2 Functional Skills or GCSE English, allowing them to sign up to their chosen degree course.

Why not join one of our classes? You will not regret your decision! Contact your local friendly team for more information and to arrange an initial assessment.

Be Inspired…You will be able to:

  • Learn or refresh the basics and improve your skills and knowledge;
  • Develop your English skills to assist you in your everyday and working life;
  • Develop an interest or passion for reading, writing - or both;
  • Establish your own starting point and work to achieve your personal goals;
  • Gain widely recognised qualifications that are valued by employers;
  • Improve other transferable skills such as independent working skills, time-keeping and many more.

Skills you will develop

As well as the key skills covered on your course, an English course can help you  develop a range of wider skills and attributes: 

Skill or attribute Example
Cultural Understanding As well as reinforcing understanding of
British values, gain greater understanding 
of other countries and cultures and how they have contributed to the subject 
content of your course.
Digital Using information technology to support
learning – access the internet, use Word or design a PowerPoint.
Empathy See situations from the point of view of
others: “be in their shoes”.
Independent study Use the home-work and home-learning
resources to help yourself build on the 
progress you make in class.
Organisation Keep your work in order and develop your
own systems.
Perseverance Keep going – even when it may be
challenging.
Presentation  Share your work with others in class in a
variety of ways – discuss, summarise, demonstrate, make a poster or PowerPoint presentation etc.
Recall Improve your memory by finding ways to
help you remember key facts, e.g. 
repetition, using colour, mind-maps, using mnemonics, audio or video recordings etc.
Research Explore a range of methods to find out
information, e.g. books, dictionaries, thesaurus, study manuals, the internet. Learn to search effectively.
Resilience Develop strategies to overcome problems.
Recognise that learning can be difficult at times.  Ask for help when you need it.
Self-confidence Self-confidence grows as you put yourself in
new situations and are supported by 
others.
Self-reflection Reflect on your own learning progress and
how you can improve.  Recognise your strengths as well as areas for development. Develop your own targets.

View our curriculum plan below to take a look at the progression pathways within the English curriculum.  If you are unable to read this document and require further information, please don't hesitate to contact your local Adult Learning Centre who will be happy to discuss through it. 

 

Hear from Our Learners

"I was on the Stepping Stones English Skills programme and in my early 50s.  I joined one of the Reader Development groups in August 2018 and didn't believe I could ever improve the standard of my reading and writing, due to dyslexia and significant memory problems. Enrolling on the Stepping Stones E1 course at the end of October 2018, much to my amazement, by May 2019, I had passed all six assessments for Stepping Stones.  I've now moved on to Functional Skills English E1 and will progress on to Stepping Stones E2, later next year.