Free Entry Level 3 Functional Skills English course in Widnes. Classes run at Riverside College Kingsway Campus, part-time during the day, so you can fit study around other commitments. The course runs for around 5 months. You'll build your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to a solid foundation level. A free functional skills english course for adults aged 19 and over, it's a recognised step toward the Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications that employers treat as a GCSE English alternative.
Who this course is for
Aimed at 19+ learners
Entry requirements
Initial assessment after application
What you will learn
You'll read and understand everyday texts, including signs, forms, and short documents.
You'll write clearly for practical purposes such as messages, notes, and simple letters.
You'll spell common words correctly and use basic punctuation.
You'll listen and respond in straightforward conversations and discussions.
You'll speak clearly enough to be understood in familiar situations.
You'll identify the main points in short spoken and written information.
How you will learn
You'll learn in a classroom at Riverside College Kingsway Campus, with a tutor guiding each session. Assessment is through a set task and an on-screen or paper-based test set by Pearson Edexcel. You'll have an initial assessment after you apply, so the centre can confirm this is the right level for you and plan your learning from there.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Riverside College Kingsway Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Care assistant: many employers ask for a functional skills english qualification or equivalent
Retail sales assistant: written communication needed for daily tasks
Warehouse operative: reading instructions and completing paperwork
Receptionist: clear written and spoken English required
Classroom teaching assistant: schools expect solid English skills
Catering and hospitality worker: reading menus, labels, and health and safety notices
What you could study next
Functional Skills English Level 1: the next step up, building on Entry Level 3 skills.
Functional Skills English Level 2: the qualification employers and colleges recognise as a GCSE English equivalent. Many job applications and further training courses ask for this level.
GCSE English: some learners choose to sit a GCSE after completing Functional Skills, depending on their goals.
