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Free Entry Level 1 Functional Skills English in Bury Saint Edmunds – West Suffolk College

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelEntry Level
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2026
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyPearson Edexcel awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Entry Level 1 Functional Skills English in Bury Saint Edmunds. Classes run at West Suffolk College, part-time during the day, so you can fit study around other commitments. You'll work on reading, writing, speaking, and listening at Entry Level 1, building the foundations of everyday English. The course takes around one year part-time. An initial assessment helps confirm this is the right level for you before you start. A free functional skills english course for adults looking to strengthen their English from the ground up.

Who this course is for

This course is designed for students wishing to achieve a Functional skills qualification without travelling to a learning centre. The lesson takes place at a set time each week within a virtual classroom in Microsoft Teams.You will access a range of material via an online platform (MS Teams) and attend live tutored sessions delivered by your tutor to small groups. All delivery will be online and we will expect students to have their cameras on during the class. The tutor will use a variety of teaching methods including explanation and discussion, as well as group and individual activities.Homework will need to be uploaded to MS Teams for marking on a weekly basis.You will be expected to attend one of our Learning Centres to take your exams. In some circumstances if this is not possible the tutor will discuss the possibility of a remote invigilated exam with you.

Entry requirements

Online Courses are for L1/L2 students, if we feel you are working at Entry Level then we will ask you to attend an in-person class in one of our centres. Initial assessments will be taken in to account when deciding on the qualification and level for which the candidate will be entered. You must have a laptop or desktop with a camera and microphone.

What you will learn

  • You'll read and understand simple texts used in everyday life.
  • You'll write clearly for basic everyday purposes, such as forms and short messages.
  • You'll listen and respond in straightforward conversations.
  • You'll speak clearly enough to be understood in familiar situations.
  • You'll recognise and use common words and sentences in written English.

How you will learn

You'll attend classroom-based sessions at West Suffolk College during the day. Your tutor will work with you in small groups, using a range of materials and activities. Assessment is through tasks and a final assessment set by Pearson Edexcel, covering reading, writing, speaking, listening, and communication.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. West Suffolk College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Care assistant: many roles ask for basic English skills
  • Retail assistant: reading, writing, and communication used daily
  • Warehouse operative: written instructions and forms part of the role
  • Cleaner or catering assistant: entry-level roles that value basic literacy
  • Childminder or nursery assistant: written records and communication required

What you could study next

Once you complete Entry Level 1, you can move on to Entry Level 2 Functional Skills English, then Entry Level 3. From there, Functional Skills English Level 1 and Level 2 follow. Level 2 is the recognised gcse english alternative that many employers and colleges ask for. Each step builds on the last, so progress is steady and manageable.

Apply on wsc.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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