Level 1 Functional Skills English in Leyland – Runshaw College
CostFree if you're eligible
Duration17 weeks
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start2 Feb 2027
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding body
Free if you're 19 or over and don't have a GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in English, whatever you earn. If you already have one, Runshaw College lists a fee of £724. Contact Runshaw College for more info.
Functional Skills English Level 1 in Leyland. Classes run at Runshaw College, part-time during the day, over 17 weeks. Before you start, you'll complete a short skills check to make sure this is the right level for you. The course covers reading, writing, speaking, and listening. You'll work on spelling, punctuation, and producing different types of text, including letters and instructions. A level 1 functional skills english course is widely treated as a gcse english alternative by employers and colleges.
Who this course is for
Adults 19+. Functional Skills English aims to develop your current literacy skills to help you to succeed in everyday work and social situations, as well as to qualify for further study. You will cover communication skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The awarding body for the course is City & Guilds. The course covers strategies for reading, spelling and other aspects of writing, including punctuation and producing different types of text such as letters and instructions. The course will also develop your confidence in speaking and listening, with task-based activities which allow you to practice these in everyday scenarios. You will work individually, in pairs and small Groups, and as a whole class, and your progress will be regularly reviewed by your tutor. In addition to the time in class, you will need to do around three hours of directed study per week in your own time.
Entry requirements
Before you enrol you will complete a short skills check to make sure you are matched onto the right level of course. This will also help you identify which skills you need to improve, to have clear goals, and to be able to work independently with the resources provided.
What you will learn
You'll develop reading strategies to understand a range of texts.
You'll practise writing letters, instructions, and other everyday documents.
You'll improve spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
You'll build speaking and listening skills for work and everyday situations.
You'll learn how to plan and structure different types of written text.
You'll apply communication skills to real work and social contexts.
How you will learn
You'll learn in a classroom at Runshaw College, with a tutor guiding sessions on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Assessment is through tasks that reflect everyday work and life situations. You'll be assessed on your reading and writing through set tasks, and on speaking and listening through observed activities. Your initial skills check shapes the plan for your learning throughout the course.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Runshaw College 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 assistant: written communication and customer-facing skills apply directly
Teaching assistant: supports entry to further training in education and childcare
Warehouse operative: reading instructions and completing written records
Receptionist: writing emails, letters, and handling spoken communication
Catering assistant: following written instructions and communicating with colleagues
What you could study next
Functional Skills English Level 2: the recognised gcse english equivalent, accepted by employers and universities in place of GCSE grade 4 or above.
GCSE English Language: a formal route if you want the GCSE qualification itself.
Level 2 vocational qualifications: many courses in health and social care, business, or childcare require Level 1 English as a minimum entry point.
