English is a fundamental life and work skill that includes speaking, reading, writing, understanding and applying language effectively.
If you do not already hold a Level 2 English qualification (GCSE equivalent), gaining one can improve your employment prospects and support your career progression. We offer a range of free English courses for adults aged 19 and over, including learners whose first language is not English.
Most of our courses are free of charge, subject to eligibility criteria. For more information about eligibility, please visit our Support for Learners page.
Click on the boxes below for more information:
Our Functional Skills and ESOL courses offer flexible enrolment throughout the year, with learners able to start at different points depending on availability and assessment.
To book an initial assessment, call 01325 405601 or email l&[email protected].
Our team will help you find the right course and level for your needs.
From Entry Level to Level 2
This course is for anybody who does not have an English qualification.
You will build up the basics of English so that you can develop you skills to move on to higher levels.
This is an in-person course taught at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington.
Once you have completed the course, you may like to continue to a Level 1 or Level 2 (equivalent to a GCSE).
The design and delivery of the curriculum in this course will enable learners to up-skill and develop confidence in using English which will support them to enter employment, return to work or continue to further learning.
Each level of Functional Skills English builds on the previous level up to the completion of a Level 2 qualification.
These qualifications are nationally recognised.
We offer English at the following levels:
Please bring:
This course is free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria above. If you do not meet any one of the three criteria listed, you can pay for the course - please contact us on the details below for costs.
After this course has finished you may like to continue to the next level in English which might be a higher Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas.
Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected] and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.
This course is for anybody who has an English qualification below GCSE level or those who want to further improve their English skills.
It’s also the next step up for those who have completed the Entry Level English course.
This is an in-person course taught at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington.
The design and delivery of the curriculum in this course will enable learners to up-skill and develop confidence in using English which will support them to enter employment, return to work or continue to further learning.
Each level of Functional Skills English builds on the previous level up to the completion of a Level 2 qualification.
These qualifications are nationally recognised.
We offer English at the following levels:
Please bring:
This course is free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria above. If you do not meet any one of the three criteria listed, you can pay for the course - please contact us on the details below for costs.
After this course has finished you may like to continue to the next level in English which might be a higher Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas.
Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.
Non accredited English courses for skills and confidence building
This course is for anybody with very basic literacy skills to develop their everyday reading and writing.
It will help to improve day to day communication and support progression into further learning, such as into Entry Level Functional Skills English.
This is an in-person course taught at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington.
The structure and delivery of the course’s curriculum will enable you to develop your skills in basic English reading and writing and improve your communication in your day to day life. It will also support your progression to further learning such as to Entry Level Functional Skills English courses.
The course will help you develop English language skills at pre-entry level. This includes reading and writing through various fun and engaging activities.
At the end of this course, you will be provided with information, advice and guidance on progression courses and other learning opportunities based on your interests and needs. When you finish this course, you can continue to Functional Skills English at Entry level.
See upcoming courses or contact us to register your interest.
Please bring the following:
This course is free of charge.
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
This course is for anybody with very basic literacy skills to develop their everyday reading and writing.
It will help to improve day to day communication and support progression into further learning, such as into Entry Level Functional Skills English.
The structure and delivery of the course’s curriculum will enable you to develop your skills in reading and improve your reading skills in your day to day life, as well as encouraging you to read for pleasure.
It will also support your progression to further learning such as to Entry Level Functional Skills English courses.
The course will help you develop English reading skills at Entry Level.
This includes reading through various fun and engaging activities, as well as time to read independently.
At the end of this course, you will be provided with information, advice and guidance on progression courses and other learning opportunities based on your interests and needs.
When you finish this course, you can continue to Functional Skills English at Entry level.
See upcoming courses or contact us to register your interest.
Please bring the following:
This course is free of charge.
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
For those who first language is not English
We offer free ESOL courses for adults aged 19+ who do not have English as their first language to help develop communication skills for everyday situations.
You will have the opportunity to work with students from many different countries: you'll make new friends, boost your confidence and learn how to read, write and speak clearly in English.
We have previous experience of using these courses to help integrate Syrian, Ukrainian and Afghan Refugees, and others, from around the world.
Entry onto the ESOL courses depends on the individuals situation (for example if you/they are a refugee or asylum seeker). This will be established during initial contact. Please read below for ESOL course details.
ESOL are entry-level English language courses for people whose first language is not English to develop confidence in using the English language. This will help with integrating, living, studying, communicating and working in the UK. The emphasis is on building up the basics of the English language to continue on to higher levels. The courses cover all elements of communicating in English: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Each level of ESOL builds on the previous level up to the completion of a Level 1 qualification. These qualifications are nationally recognised. You will learn in a friendly, supportive online environment and at a pace to suit your needs.
We offer ESOL at the following levels:
All levels cover general English topics including English language, words, spelling, grammar, etc.
Please bring:
Free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria.
If you do not meet any one of the three criteria listed, you can pay for the course - please contact us for costs.
After this course has finished you may like to continue to the next level in ESOL which might be a higher Entry Level or Level 1. You can also continue to Functional Skills English Level 1 upon competing ESOL. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas.
Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected] and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.
We offer free ESOL courses to 16 - 18 year olds who do not have English as their first language. We will help you to develop your communication skills so you can access higher or further education and find employment or training. We will also help to develop personal, social and employability skills on our Pre-Employment Study Programme and there will be opportunity to undertake some work experience.
You will have the opportunity to work with students from many different countries: you'll make new friends, boost your confidence and learn how to read, write and speak clearly in English. We have previous experience of using these courses to help integrate young Syrian, Ukrainian and Afghan Refugees, and others, from around the world.
You will learn in a friendly, supportive online environment and at a pace to suit your needs.
Entry onto the ESOL courses depends on the individuals situation (for example if you/they are a refugee or asylum seeker). This will be established during initial contact. Please read below for ESOL course details.
The course cover general English topics including English language, words, spelling and grammar. You will learn to write basic text clearly and effectively, read confidently, write simple sentences and text and listen and speak clearly with other people.
These programmes are designed to improve learners preparation for adulthood, enhance their skills and improve confidence in social, academic and working lives ready for work or further educational opportunities.
Free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria listed above.
After this course has finished you may like to continue to the next level in ESOL which might be a higher Entry Level or Level 1. You can also continue to Functional Skills English Level 1 upon competing ESOL. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas.
Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.
If you have any queries about our English courses, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Install our web app
