Functional Skills English Level 1 (CAR25S014)

English

This offering is not yet available for enrolment, please return within three months of the start date to enrol. Contact your local centre using the details below for more information.

Mode of attendance: Online

Start date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026

End date: Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Number of weeks: 18

Time: 18:00 - 21:00

Tutor: Eleanor Jary

Venue: Online Delivery

Free Course

About the course:

As well as being a crucial step towards achieving level two in Functional Skills English, which is widely recognised and valued by employers, this is a very useful qualification in its own right. You will be helped to develop a range of formal and informal writing skills, including how to write letters, emails, reviews and blogs, whilst improving your use of grammar and punctuation. You will learn some useful spelling strategies and develop your vocabulary, as well as build a range of skills in reading, speaking and listening.

How will the course be delivered?

You will work with a tutor and a group of other learners. There will be whole class, group work and individual learning activities over 55 guided learning hours. Homework forms an integral part of this course: usually 1-2 hours per week, which will need to be submitted regularly to the tutor. For online courses, you will need a stable internet connection and access to a device, such as, a laptop or tablet (a mobile phone is not suitable). Learners will need to have their camera on at all times and be dressed appropriately. Adult learning may be able to help with the loan of a laptop and local libraries offer internet access. A quiet, uninterrupted time slot for course attendance is highly desirable and regular attendance is essential.
*Your class is delivered online using Zoom which means you can learn from the comfort of your own home. Your Tutor will send an invitation to join the class each week. This will be by email on a secure link. The class is delivered in real time. To get the most from your online lessons, we ask you to follow these ten guidelines: (1) If you are not working from home, use a location where it is safe to connect. (2) It is better to join your class using a laptop or a tablet. We may be able to help by loaning a laptop if you do not have one. Ask your centre for details. Mobile phone screens are not big enough to read shared documents and it is harder to move between the activities, so we do not recommend using one for a class. (3) Find a suitable quiet space, have access to a desk or table, have resources such as paper and pen to hand to support your learning. (4) Be prompt – we aim to start and finish on time. (5) Please be aware of what your tutor and peers can see. Ideally blur your background or use one of the standard, freely available, backgrounds on Zoom. If you require support with this, please don’t hesitate to speak to your Tutor. (6) Please dress appropriately and do not share inappropriate websites or materials. (7) Turn your camera on at all times. This is a safeguarding requirement and being able to see each other’s faces and reactions will help you to get to know each other and work as a group. It will also help your tutor see if anyone doesn’t understand. (8) Please try to minimise any background noise. Mute your microphone if it is noisy at your end of the connection and avoid interrupting other people. (9) Engage with the learning activities and your tutor and peers. You will enjoy the class more and increase your learning if you are fully involved and open to the challenge. If you do not understand something, please let your tutor know either by saying something or by private message on Zoom. (10) If you are completing a qualification that is assessed through a multiple-choice final assessment, please be aware that the assessment must be completed at one of our Cumbria Adult Learning Centres.

What do I need to bring?

Pen, notebook and folder. Internet access is an advantage, as the course includes access to a range of free, digital home-learning opportunities, tailored to your individual needs.

What are the entry requirements?

Ideally, you will have achieved Functional Skills English entry level three. You will be supported to complete an initial assessment. This will guide the decision on whether this is the right course for you at this time or whether you require support to develop your skills further to enable you to undertake this course successfully.

What can I do next?

Functional Skills Level 2 English; Introduction to Creative Writing; other programmes of study from our offer.

How well am I doing?

You will receive regular written and verbal feedback from the tutor and will be given an individual progress record which will be regularly reviewed. You will be supported to set and monitor your own targets. Exams for the components of reading and writing will be scheduled. These are set by the awarding body and are externally marked. The Speaking and Listening assessment is marked by the tutor and externally verified. All components are graded pass or fail and all three must be passed to achieve the qualification.

Additional transferable skills:

Cultural Understanding, Digital, Empathy, Independent study, Organisation, Perseverance, Presentation, Recall, Research, Resilience, Self-confidence, Self-reflection, Supporting others’ learning, Teamwork, Time-management

Enquiries

Centre: Carlisle Adult Learning
Contact number: 01228 227304 |01228 227305
Email address: carlisleadultlearning@cumberland.gov.uk