A4337 - Bridging from ESOL to Functional Skills: reading with confidence (level 1)

Header
Start Date: 15/09/2026      End Date: 15/12/2026        Start Time: 12:45      End Time: 15:00        Hours per Week: 2.25      No of Weeks: 13
Fees:      £20.00 (tuition)     £373.00 (overseas)     £10.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Richard Hollingworth        No of Places: 12
Idea Store Watney Market

Course Overview

Course Overview
This Bridging from ESOL to Functional Skills: Reading with Confidence (Level 1) course is designed for ESOL learners who want to strengthen their reading skills before moving on to a Getting Ready or Functional Skills course. You will learn how to read and understand a range of everyday texts, such as messages, letters, articles and simple reports.

You will practise finding key information, understanding meaning, and building your vocabulary to help you read with more confidence and independence: for example, reading a letter from your child’s school or understanding instructions on a form or leaflet. You will learn in a friendly and supportive environment, working at your own pace with guidance from your tutor.

By the end of the course, you will feel more confident reading in English and be ready to progress to a Getting Ready for Functional Skills English course.

This once-a-week course is your chance to level up your reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities in a fun, practical way.

You’ll explore a variety of texts such as stories and articles, and learn a variety of reading skills to help you better understand and summarise the gist and main ideas of a variety of texts. You’ll also learn how professional writers use punctuation, technical vocabulary, and literary devices that make their writing more engaging and easy to understand.

Plus, you’ll practise presenting your ideas, joining discussions, and responding confidently to others. By the end, you’ll feel ready to take on the qualification and move forward whether that’s into work, college, university, or simply communicating with ease in everyday life.

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* • Reading Skills: Understand the main ideas in simple texts such as letters, messages and short articles.
* • Finding Information: Find key information in texts, such as names, dates and important details.
* • Vocabulary Development: Build everyday vocabulary to help understand written information more easily.
* • Confidence in Reading: Read more independently and use simple strategies (e.g. re-reading, using context) to understand meaning.
* empty
* empty
* empty
* empty
* empty

Entry requirements

Entry requirements
This course is for learners working at Level 1.
It is suitable for adults aged 19 and over who hold a ESOL Level 1 qualification or be able to demonstrate language at the required level.
This means you will be able to compose a range of texts, both formal and informal, give a presentation, take part in discussions, read or listen and understand a wide range of real-world texts.
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
Please bring to every lesson:
• A folder
• Pens & pencils
• Lined A4 paper
• A smartphone (if you have one)
• A reusable water bottle
We will give you the WIFI details in the first lesson.
If you do not have access to a smart phone or a computer, speak to your tutor.

You will also need a personal Gmail account to access the Google classroom, which will be used for submitting coursework and accessing course materials. If you do not have a Gmail account speak to your tutor.
Prosp User 9

How will you know you are making progress?

How will you know you are making progress?
From the start of your course, your tutor will talk with you about what you can do well and how you can achieve more. You will receive regular feedback and tutorials guiding you on how to develop your skills. Your studies and work outside the classroom (through Google Classroom) will be essential towards your progression and success on the course. In addition, you will keep a learning diary to form the basis of discussions with your tutor on what you need to work on. You will also develop the skills needed to self-assess and analyse your own strengths and areas for development.
• Speaking and Listening: Present information and ideas clearly, using appropriate language. Take part in discussions, respond to others, and express opinions with relevant reasons and evidence in different contexts.
• Reading: Select, understand and analyse information from a range of texts. Identify purpose, audience, and bias, and distinguish between fact and opinion while using reference tools where needed.
• Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar: Analyse a range of sentence structures, and reflect on what makes the text clear, coherent and suitable for purpose.
At the end of the course, you will discuss your progress and what to do next with your tutor.
You need to attend at least 80% of your classes.
Prosp User 12
This is not an examination course but the there will be set of assessment tasks at the end of the course that ascertain whether you are ready to progress to the next level.
Prosp User 11

Progress opportunities - your next steps

Progress opportunities - your next steps
There are other courses you can do after or at the same time as this course:
• Getting ready for Functional Skills English Level 1 & 2
• ESOL level 2
• Functional Skills English Level 1 & 2
• Functional Skills Maths Level 1 & 2
• English grammar skills: using tenses and sentence structures confidently (level 1)
• English writing skills: improving spelling, punctuation and proofreading (level 1)
• Digital skills Entry 3/Level 1
• Digital skills in the workplace: using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Please ask your teacher for more information or contact Functional Skills email: functionalskills@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Prosp User 10

Other info

Other info
This course will help you build confidence in your everyday life. You will develop important skills such as:
• Communication – speaking and writing clearly and confidently
• Teamwork – working with others in class
• Problem-solving – understanding and completing simple tasks
• Confidence – taking part in activities and trying new things
• Decision-Making - evaluating different options and thinking critically about situations.
• Time Management - managing your time effectively, including setting goals and meeting deadlines.

These skills will support you in your daily life, further learning, and future work opportunities.
Prosp User 13

Extra Support

Extra Support
We can help you if you tell us you have a learning difficulty, disability or other support needs. Please tell us when you enrol or in your first class.
Prosp User 14