Improving your English skills can help you become more confident in your work and daily life, and help you to prepare for further study or training.
This well-established programme offers you the opportunity to improve your skills and knowledge within a supportive and friendly atmosphere. With the help of specialist teachers, this course will help you develop your knowledge and ability, enabling you to achieve the qualifications you need to progress for work, university, further education, or an apprenticeship programme.
All 19+ part-time students wishing to improve their English skills will be required to undertake an initial assessment prior to the start of the course, which will determine the pathway they are enrolled to.
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What will I learn?
Pre GCSE: A practical 18 week course, designed to help you develop skills that are relevant for everyday life and work. Students can progress through different levels from Entry Level to Levels 1 and 2.
The skills you will develop are:
- Reading: Read and understand texts in detail, use information contained in texts, identify suitable responses to texts.
- Writing: Write clearly and concisely, including an appropriate level of detail, present information in a logical sequence, use language, format and structure suitable for purpose for purpose and audience, use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Speaking and Listening: Development of communication skills to have confidence to talk effectively formally and informally in group discussions and to present ideas on a range of topics.
GCSE: You will to read a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction texts from across a range of themes, styles, and time periods, developing your independent and critical reading skills and helping you to develop your voice as a writer.
You will learn skills that you can transfer to all walks of life, enabling you to communicate with confidence. Students will be assessed in: reading for understanding, comparing, and analysing; writing to communicate clearly, imaginatively, and for a given purpose.
Tasks will involve: understanding and assimilating a range of texts, producing creative and informative writing, taking part in discussions and group activities. You will develop practical employability skills such as writing formally and creating presentations.
Both pathways provide 3 hour classes once a week for either 18 weeks for pre GCSE or 32 weeks for GCSE. Independent study additional to classes is required to ensure success. All students will be provided with Century login to enable personalised development of English and maths skills and knowledge outside of class.
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How will I be assessed?
Pre GCSE: There will be a verbal controlled assessment in class and two formal examinations on reading and writing at set points within the 18 week course. These assessments will take place during the lesson and can be repeated if necessary. Successful completion of all of these assessments will lead to achievement of a functional skills qualification at the level of study.
GCSE: The end of course assessment will consist of two formal exams that will take place in June.
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Entry Requirements
Student must be aged 19 or above at the start of the academic year
- Initial assessment at the start of the course to determine pathway of study
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Progression & Career Opportunities
Level 2 is a recognised qualification by many employers and entry requirement for higher study.
