Level 1 Functional Skills English in Leyland – Runshaw College – Evening
CostFree if you're eligible
Duration17 weeks
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start2 Feb 2027
Study modePart-time
AttendanceEvening
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. Evening classes run at Runshaw College, so you can fit study around work or other commitments. Before you start, you'll complete a short skills check to confirm this is the right level for you. Over 17 weeks, you'll develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills for everyday work and social situations. A level 1 functional skills english course is widely accepted as a stepping stone toward further study and employment.
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 strategies for reading different types of text with understanding.
You'll practise spelling, punctuation, and grammar in your writing.
You'll produce different types of written text, including letters and instructions.
You'll build speaking and listening skills for work and everyday situations.
You'll learn how to communicate clearly and appropriately in different contexts.
How you will learn
Classes are classroom based and run in the evening at Runshaw College. You'll learn through a mix of tutor-led sessions and independent practice. Assessment covers reading, writing, speaking, and listening. You'll be assessed through written tasks and a spoken communication component. The short skills check before you start helps plan your learning and identify the areas you need to focus on.
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
Customer service assistant: clear written and spoken communication required
Care assistant: reading care plans and writing records
Warehouse operative: reading instructions and completing paperwork
Retail assistant: handling written communications and customer queries
Administrator: writing emails, letters, and basic documents
Teaching assistant: supporting literacy in classroom settings
What you could study next
Functional Skills Qualification in English Level 2: the GCSE english equivalent recognised by employers and colleges. A natural next step after Level 1.
GCSE English Language: available at some colleges for learners who want a traditional qualification.
Level 2 vocational qualifications in areas such as health and social care, business, or childcare, many of which require Level 1 or Level 2 English as an entry condition.
