English Basic Skills Summary Where can this subject lead? Key information What will I learn? How will I be assessed? Summary What can I use functional skills for? Education and Employment Functional skills can help you access further and higher education courses e.g. engineering or paramedic etc. If you don't have GCSEs, functional skills will meet the minimum essential criteria required for most job applications. Everyday Life Functional skills equip you with the basic skills needed to take control of your life with confidence, from handling money, to formal documents. During the pandemic, functional skills has given parents extra confidence to help children with homework too. What is functional skills English? Functional skills qualifications are equivalent to GCSEs up to a grade C (or current grade 4). As an equivalent qualification, functional skills are recognised by employers across all industries and learning institutes, such as universities. At Seasiders Learning Centre for adults (19+), functional skills courses run all year round, meaning you can start at any time during the academic year. Courses are part-time with different modes of attendance available to fit around work and busy schedules. Although most courses run for 18 weeks, attendance can be as little as once a week for a couple of hours, and it is possible to complete your course earlier based on your progress! Next course dates Start date Location Duration Anytime Community Based Apply now Anytime Community Based 18 Weeks Apply now What can I use functional skills for?Functional skills can help you access further and higher education courses e.g. engineering or paramedic etc. If you don't have GCSE's, functional skills will meet the minimum essential criteria required for most job applications.Functional skills equip you with the basic skills needed to take control of your life with confidence, from handling money, to formal documents. During the pandemic, functional skills has given parents extra confidence to help children with homework too.What is functional skills English?Functional skills qualifications are equivalent to GCSE's up to a grade 'C' (or current grade '4'). As an equivalent qualification, functional skills are recognised by employers across all industries and learning institutes, such as universities.At Seasiders Learning Centre for adults (19+), functional skills courses run all year round, meaning you can start at any time during the academic year. Courses are part-time with different modes of attendance available to fit around work and busy schedules. Although most courses run for 18 weeks, attendance can be as little as once a week for a couple of hours, and it is possible to complete your course earlier based on your progress!Book an AppointmentInitial Advice and Guidance appointments (IAG) are designed to assess student current capabilities, discuss learning needs, options available, complete any enrolment paperwork, and assign classes and/or start dates.These appointments are important to ensure we get every learner on to the right level of study and can help every learner to succeed.You can call us on 01253 504693 to make an appointment. Where can this subject lead? Career progressionFunctional Skills English (Level 2) will enable you to access more employment and education opportunities.It will enable you to apply for courses needed to progress within a particular industry e.g. as a paramedic, as an engineer, in retail and hospitality etc. The list is endless!If you already have the industry skills but lack the basic skills, Functional Skills English will put you on an even footing with other job applicants and meets the requirements of most job applications. We would also recommend Functional Skills Maths too!Functional Skills English proves to an employer or university that you know how to communicate effectively. Whether it's writing a report for work, or an essay for your course.Functional skills English gives you the confidence and competency to reach for and achieve your goals. Key information Entry RequirementsThere are no previous qualifications required to undertake this course, so functional skills are ideal for everybody. Functional skills can help you regain the skills you need as an adult to achieve your goals, both in your career and personal life.I have a very busy lifestyle, how can I fit in time for learning?With different modes of attendance available, there are different learning options available to fit around your busy schedule. From classroom-based learning and evening classes, to flexible online distance learning.No previous qualifications or outdated qualifications?Whether you didn't achieve the grades you were expecting at school, or it's been a while since you have been to school or studied, functional skills bridges the skills gap and sets you on your way to achieving your goals by increasing access to more opportunities. Functional skills are also ideal for adults who don't hold a UK recognised qualification. Terms and conditionsRead our full terms and conditions for more information. What will I learn? Reading and WritingYou will learn how to improve your writing skills, make sense of language and texts, and recognise their use both formally and informally to communicate more effectively. You will learn how to improve your spelling, use of punctuation, and grammar.Speaking, Listening and CommunicatingYou will learn how to communicate more effectively and present arguments for discussion to develop sound ideas and opinions.Learning and Teaching MethodsThe course is delivered over 18 weeks, where learners will take part in regular weekly sessions using a variety of different teaching methods such as written tasks, discussion and quizzes.Classroom-based sessions are two hours a week (four hours on our fast-track sessions) and will have addition of homework or online learning each week for normally 1-2 hours.Towards the end of the course, you may get a practice exam to complete to help prepare you for the final assessment.What will I learn?Depending on your individual level of study, the complexity of the content will increase as your level of learning increases. The basic principles of reading, writing and communicating are built on as your level increases.The basis of functional skills English is to give you the competency and confidence to apply the skills you learn at work, and in your every day life from writing texts, letters, emails and filling in forms, to discussing complex issues with confidence to communicate effectively with friends, family and work colleagues.What books do I need?All we ask is that you come prepared to learn with the basics. You will need a pen, some paper and maybe a folder to keep everything in; a dictionary would also be very useful.As part of your course, you will be supplied with a textbook appropriate to your level, which you can keep at the end of the course.I want to progress quickly, can I do this?It's not uncommon for learners to approach us with urgency; for example, requiring a Level 2 by September enabling individuals to enrol on to other courses.Your tutor can support your progress by offering suitable resources for learning, but a quick result will depend on the extra time and effort needed to achieve your goals.Our academic year ends at the end of July and starts again fully in September so we would strongly encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment. How will I be assessed? How will I be assessed?During the course you will be assessed on Reading, Writing, and Speaking, Listening and Communication. Speaking, Listening and Communication is assessed during the course by your tutor.At the end of the course you will complete a Reading and Writing examination.