Before you can join this course, you will need to talk to a member of staff and do an initial assessment to make sure the course is right for you. For more information and to book an appointment please call 0300 303 3464. You will use real life examples to practise different reading techniques, including descriptions, instructions, explanations and stories. You will look at the layout and different features of longer texts, and how these can help us to understand the purpose of the text and find information in it. You will look at extending sentences, paying particular attention to the grammatical accuracy, to write about events and actions in the past, present and future. Using everyday situations, you will practise giving short explanations and descriptions. You will look at when and where formal language is needed in some common situations (e.g. work, education).
Additional information about this course
Before this course, please attend English Initial Assessment session C2422104 to check your skills. You will be given the PIN code if the course is the right level for you.
Course aim
This course will help you to practise your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in English. This course leads to the Functional Skills English assessment at Entry 3.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- Before you can join the course, you will take an initial assessment so the tutor can make sure the class is right for you.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Plan, draft and proofread short texts using compound sentences and paragraphs as appropriate
- Identify and use features of different types of texts to help find information, e.g. using headings and sub headings
- Take part in a discussion, giving my opinion clearly, allowing others to join in fairly, and making relevant responses to others’ contributions
- Listen to a short presentation and make notes about the key information
- Read and spell words correctly
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- You will be expected to carry out a range of activities in your own time
- WEA classes are friendly and supportive. You will work together with other students and the tutor, as well as working on your own. Everyone is encouraged to take part as much as they can.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will be able to keep a record of your progress and achievement using photos, audio, text or documents uploaded into the WEA’s digital learning platform, WEA Canvas.
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
- You will be able to keep a digital portfolio of your work on WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
- At the start of the course, the tutor will help you to choose individual learning goals. Regular feedback will help you to see what you can do and the things you need to keep working on. The tutor will explain what the exam will be like, and give you lots of practice so you know what to expect.
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The tutor will give you work for most lessons and can tell you about other books or websites that will help if you want to study more at home.
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You do not need to do anything before the course. However, it is useful if students are reading simple books for pleasure and information.
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet
