Our English for work courses are suitable for learners where English is not their first language.   

This online course is aimed at learners who have a good intermediate level of English but, because of limited English ability, struggle with certain aspects of their jobs, or even to get a job.

This course is taught online. To participate in online classes you will need an email address, a reliable internet connection, a computer/laptop/tablet with fully updated browser (preferably Google Chrome). 

You will need to attend the online course on both days – Wednesday and Thursday at the specified time.

You will gain confidence, improve your listening and written and spoken English. These skills will  improve your chances of gaining employment, or to move up into a job with better pay and prospects. Part of the course will be based on the needs of individual learners; and this will be discussed in the first lesson. You will also learn about UK work culture, how it may differ from other countries, and the course will answer some of the questions you might have about the differences between your way of life and what you see around you in the UK.

Your English skills will define the jobs you can apply for in the UK, and improving those skills will help, not only in this country, but will greatly improve your employability and promotion prospects should you later return to your home country.

Poor English skills can have serious consequences – from language misunderstandings that can cause the loss of money or angry clients, to constant embarrassment at not being able to chat with clients and colleagues in a social context or even over lunch!  You may be seen as unfriendly, or rude, which is also not good for your career.

The course is funded per term; you may find, as most learners do, that you will need more than one term to be prepared for any higher level courses or future exams (if you choose to enter for them). If this is the case you will be offered the opportunity to re-enrol and pay for another term (or if still available we may be able to fund you again)

This course is funded through Cambridgeshire Skills: See funding eligibility below:

If you are 19 or over, have lived in an EU country / the UK for 3 or more years and are at the right level, full funding is available. You will need to supply proof of identity and full attendance is required; you will also need to complete an enrolment form so that the office can apply for the funding and complete an individual learning plan weekly with your tutor.

If you are not eligible for funding but would benefit from the course, you can attend by paying a tuition fee of £290 (£174 concession) per 10 week term.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

If you have not recently passed the PET exam, an assessment test will be needed for placement purposes. To book an appointment, call the office on 01223 712340 or email office@adultlearning.education

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:

• talk and read about up-to-date stimulating topics, using the key words and necessary phrases (e.g. ) 
• expand your vocabulary on topic-based lexical areas (e.g. feelings, sleep, music, crime and punishment, media) 
• revise your knowledge of main grammar structures and learn more sophisticated structures (e.g. unreal conditionals, structures after wish, verb patterns, modal verbs, active vs. passive voices) 
• Continue to practise ‘fine-tuning’ of pronunciation of difficult sounds and use appropriate rhythm and intonation, word and sentence stress, 
• improve accuracy as well as develop your fluency in the speaking activities 
• practise your listening skills, being exposed to motivating, challenging but achievable listening tasks, listening to authentic and colloquial spoken language 
• improve your knowledge of British culture, history, trends and values 
• improve all the skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, with the focus on building the skills that are most useful in the workplace and in searching for work 

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

The tutor will advise in the first lesson

For the first session you will need to bring:

A notebook and pen and pencil.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

The college has many English for work levels, talk with your tutor who will advise you.

The Adult Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

The one-year Maths GCSE course will be taught at Foundation Tier – the funding is given to enable you to gain a grade 4 or 5, within one academic year, (equivalent to the old C grade).

Do you need to update your CV? Did you not achieve your Maths qualification through school? Are you 19 years old or over?

General content headings are number, algebra, ratio proportion and rates of change, geometry and measure, probability, statistics. The majority of the course will cover the Foundation syllabus; the tutor will use Higher Tier extension materials where appropriate and the college offers learners the option to be entered into the Higher Tier exams, however this option requires learners to independently study in their own time.
Foundation tier: grades 1 to 5. Higher tier: grades 4 to 9.

The course runs for 30 live-streamed online sessions, and runs the whole year,  including five in person mandatory exam preparation Saturday day schools which are held at Coleridge Community College. Live-streamed Saturday sessions are 2.5 hours long, face to face in centre Saturdays are 5 hours long. A full schedule of dates will be given out on the first session; we will do our best not to change any dates, but this occasionally happens due to unforeseen circumstances. To participate in the live-streamed online classes, you will need an email address, a reliable internet connection, a computer/laptop/tablet with fully updated browser. Your device will need a microphone, and preferably a camera.

Saturday dates (in centre): 11th November 2023, 9th December 2023, 3rd February 2024, 9th March 2024, 11th May 2024.

The course will be taught as a linear course and certification is available in May/June 2024, the qualification consists of three equally weighted written examination papers. All three papers must be at the same tier of entry and must be completed in May/June 2024. Each paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes long. Paper 1 is a non-calculator exam; a calculator is allowed for Paper 2 and Paper 3.

GCSE maths is expected to take between 120 and 140 hours of study – you will attend taught classes for 100 hours, and complete an additional 20 hours mandatory content – through set homework tasks which will be marked and are a compulsory part of the course. You will need to spend more time self-studying certain topics to bring your skills up to the required level. You are required to have independent study skills, and to set yourself appropriate goals and targets. Your tutor will assess your progress through the lessons and by homework.

The course is fully funded by Cambridgeshire Skills – full attendance is required. You will complete an enrolment form, so that funding can be applied for; you will also need to provide your National Insurance number and show a form of photographic ID (passport, driving licence etc.). Failure to meet these criteria means that funding is withdrawn, and you will be liable for the full cost of the course. .

PLEASE NOTE: GCSE exams will take place in-person during the day at Coleridge Community College. The dates are published by the exam board and all candidates must sit the exam then. Dates will be confirmed at the beginning of the course – expect to book leave / holiday from work / childcare as needed. Provisional dates are: Thursday 16/5/24 (morning), Monday 3/6/24 (morning) and Monday 10/6/24 (morning). These will be confirmed by the exam board in due course.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the whole year course you will have the opportunity to:

• develop a positive attitude to mathematics;
• consolidate basic skills and meet appropriately challenging work;
• apply mathematical knowledge and understanding to solve problems;
• think and communicate mathematically – precisely, logically and creatively;
• appreciate the place and use of mathematics in society;
• apply mathematical concepts to situations arising in their own lives;
• understand the interdependence of different branches of mathematics;
• acquire the skills needed to use technology such as calculators and computers effectively;
• acquire a firm foundation for further study.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

You should have studied Mathematics to Functional Skills Level 2 or have a recent GCSE Grade D (or equivalent).
Please speak to the office if you have O-levels / CSEs or qualifications from outside the UK.
You are required to complete an initial assessment / screening of maths levels prior to enrolment on the course – please telephone the office on 01223 712340 to make an appointment.

If the assessor feels this course is not suitable in the initial assessment period they will signpost learners to alternative, more appropriate courses.

Access Arrangements for Exams / Learning Difficulties

The exam board has very specific requirements for those who need access arrangements for exams (additional time, laptops, modified papers). It is your responsibility to provide the relevant supporting documents to the office if you require additional time or access arrangements for exams. Please note such arrangements are only granted for 3 years (by JCQ), and those granted by universities are not valid for GCSE exams.

Extra costs on the course for example textbook, materials or equipment

All learners: Textbook – approx. cost £20 Full Details TBC

You will need a maths set consisting of compass, protractor and ruler etc. but we will discuss this at the first session.

There are higher tier resources available from CGP books, should you choose to study the additional topics covered in the Higher Tier syllabus.

You will also need a scientific calculator – suggested type CASIO fx-85GT PLUS approx. £11

Examination Fees:

Examination costs will be included in the cost of the course.

For the first session you will need to bring:
Notebook and pen, we will discuss which calculator to get.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Progress to a post GCSE course – further / higher education, employment, volunteering or GCE A level.
The Adult Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.