Functional Skills courses are government-funded and free-of-charge if you meet our eligibility requirements. These will be shared with you when you apply for the course.
With our professional team of expert tutors and high success rates, you will be fully equipped to develop your English skills.
Uniquely flexible, this online course is designed to fit learning around your busy life, even if you are working full-time or caring for a family.
Functional Skills qualifications act as the building blocks to your future. They are available at three levels, from Entry 3 to Level 2, and are recognised by employers. Being highly fundamental, these can be used to progress onto other qualifications, like GCSEs.
Available Online Courses:
- Entry 3
- Level 1 (Pre-GCSE)
- Level 2 (GCSE equivalent)
Are you wondering what the difference is between Functional Skills and GCSEs?
Both qualifications are suitable for anyone who does not have a GCSE Grade 4 (C) qualification and would like to update their skills.
If you have not studied for some time and want to improve your confidence, Functional Skills qualifications can be a useful starting point for GCSEs, because they involve fewer hours of study and can be completed quicker.
All courses run for 12 weeks and are delivered online. The exams are held at one of our test centres.
You have a choice of five centres to take your exams:
- Oxfordshire: City of Oxford College, Banbury and Bicester College
- Berkshire: Reading College, Bracknell and Wokingham College
- Surrey: Guildford College
Our courses take place in the daytime and in the evening and are designed to fit in with work or family commitments. Lessons are 3 hours long and are run weekly on set days and times so you can plan around your commitments.
What you'll learn
Improving your English skills can give you the confidence to help you reach your individual goals, whether it be helping your children with their homework, progressing in your job role, or gaining further qualifications.
Functional Skills English qualifications focus on the practical application of English in real-life situations.
Week |
Entry Level 3 – Topic |
Week 01 |
Introduction to course and look at exam papers |
Week 02 |
Reading skills – main point, Writing – basic punctuation & alphabetical order, spelling test |
Week 03 |
Writing – Linkers & compound sentences & emails, spelling test |
Week 04 |
Speaking – opinions, writing – commas, Grammar present simple and continuous, spelling test |
Week 05 |
Mock SL&C, different types of text, spelling test |
Week 06 |
SL&C test |
Week 07 |
Grammar – past simple v present perfect, Writing – letters, spelling test |
Week 08 |
Writing – plurals & filling in forms, Reading – organisational features, spelling test |
Week 09 |
Reading – purpose of texts. Writing – reports, spelling test |
Week 10 |
Writing – instructions/ Reading – types of question, spelling test |
Week 11 |
Mock reading and writing test |
Week 12 |
Feedback from mock tests and checklist – timing & answering the question |
Week |
Functional Skills L1 – Topics |
Week 01 |
Introduction to FS and using punctuation- Introduction, listening and asking questions |
Week 02 |
Reading Skills: Reading for information, Fact and opinions/purpose of text |
Week 03 |
Reading Skills: Comparing texts |
Week 04 |
Reading Skills: Structural features, Comparison and Images |
Week 05 |
Speaking and Listening Skills: Giving talks and discussions – S&L EXAMS |
Week 06 |
Speaking and Listening Skills: Giving talks and discussions – S&L EXAMS |
Week 07 |
Writing skills: Format and Structure |
Week 08 |
Writing skills: Structure and using paragraphs/Letters |
Week 09 |
Writing skills: Emails, Reviews, Articles and Reports |
Week 10 |
Recap session based on prep work for reading and writing – Mock assessments |
Week 11 |
Recap session based on prep work for reading and writing- Mock assessments |
Week 12 |
Recap session based on prep work for reading and writing – Mock assessments |
Week |
Functional Skills Level 2 – Topics |
Week 01 |
Introduction to FS, listening and asking questions |
Week 02 |
Reading Skills: Using punctuation, Listening and Asking Question – Presentation format |
Week 03 |
Speaking and Listening Skills: Giving talks and discussions – Mock and discussions |
Week 04 |
Speaking and Listening Skills: Formal Assessment- Small group – S&L EXAMS |
Week 05 |
Speaking and Listening Skills: Formal Assessment- Small group – S&L EXAMS |
Week 06 |
Reading for information: Fact and opinions/purpose of text |
Week 07 |
Reading Skills: Comparing texts |
Week 08 |
Reading Skills: Structural features – Mock |
Week 09 |
Reading Skills: Comparison and Images |
Week 10 |
Writing skills: Format and Structure |
Week 11 |
Writing skills: Structure and using paragraphs/Letters – Mock |
Week 12 |
Writing skills: Emails, Reviews, Articles and Reports |
How you'll learn and be assessed
How you’ll learn
You will need access to a digital device, such as a computer, laptop or a tablet, as your lessons will be delivered via our Activate Learning Online platform (ALO) by one of our friendly, professional tutors.
You will be given access to Century Tech and other online resources on an award-winning learning platform that will support you in developing your skills at your own pace!
How long does it take?
All courses run for 12 weeks and are delivered online. Lessons last for 3 hours. Exams are held at our test centres and you will be asked to choose the most convenient location during the application and enrolment stage.
Our courses take place in the daytime and in the evening and are designed to fit in with work or family commitments.
How you’ll be assessed
At the end of your course, you will take accredited exams in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Your speaking and listening exam will be held online, with our own tutor. Your reading and writing exams will take place at your closest Activate Learning college campus, which includes:
- Oxfordshire: City of Oxford College, Banbury and Bicester College
- Berkshire: Reading College, Bracknell and Wokingham College
- Surrey: Guildford College
Progression
Depending upon your starting level, you can progress to the next level of Functional Skills or GCSE English. Functional Skills English Level 2 can be used as a stepping stone to higher education.
Entry requirements
Before joining a Functional Skills English online course, you will need to take a short assessment so that we can ensure that you are on the right course to meet your needs.
Functional Skills courses are government-funded and free-of-charge if you meet our eligibility requirements. These will be shared with you when you apply for the course.