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Build Your Skills in English

For learners who are confident with speaking English but need to develop confidence and competence with the reading, spelling, and writing skills necessary in everyday life.

Note: An initial assessment (skills check) is required before enrolling on this course. Click the 'Enquire' button and leave your details for us to contact you regarding dates and to book an assessment. Alternatively you can contact us on 01422 392820 or cyps.cal@calderdale.gov.uk.

Enquire

Course description

This course will help you improve your English skills for everyday life at home, work, and in the community. It is for people who can speak English well but need to get better at reading, spelling, and writing.

On the course, you will:

  • Take part in fun group and individual activities to improve your reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  • Improve your reading and spelling by working on phonics.
  • Learn how to spell everyday and harder words correctly.
  • Practice checking your own writing for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  • Learn how to find and understand the main points in different texts using images and headings to find information.
  • Gain confidence and independence by seeing your progress and using new reading and writing skills.

This course is designed to be enjoyable and supportive, helping you become more confident in your English skills for everyday life.

Course level

Various - Courses are available at different levels - an initial assessment (skills check) is required before enrolling on these courses to ensure the level is right for you.

Who is this course for?

Residents of Calderdale aged 19+ who want to develop their English skills they need for independence at home, work, and in the community. It is designed for people who are confident with speaking English but need to develop confidence and competence with the reading, spelling, and writing skills necessary in everyday life. You must be able to attend a minimum of 18 weeks.

What do I need to bring?

  • Please bring a notebook and pens.
  • You must be able to access the web-based learning platform Google Classroom during the course. To do this you will need access to IT equipment such as a smartphone, laptop, PC or tablet, and a stable internet connection. You’ll also need to install Google Chrome Browser if you do not have this already – it's free to download and use, please visit: www.google.co.uk/chrome.

Course information

Start date: Various
Time: 10am to 12noon
Day: Various
Venue: Heath Campus

Course length: We operate a roll-on, roll-off system for all our English, maths and ESOL classes. This means you can start on a course at a time that suits you, and finish when you're ready for the exam/assessment.
Course code: Various
Course level: Various

Fees

Fee waiver available: Most people will be entitled to a fee waiver for our ESOL qualifications and will not need to pay the course fee - contact us to find out more.
Additional costs: No

Course dates and times

Venue Course code Start date Day Time How to enrol
Heath Campus CC00111 9th September 2024 Monday 10am to 12noon Enquire
Heath Campus CC00114 11th September 2024 Wednesday 10am to 12noon Enquire

Additional information

Learning delivery method

We have the skills, resources and dedication to help you access the learning you need to enrich your life. Your course will be delivered by a highly qualified, experienced and knowledgeable tutor via classroom-based learning: face-to-face teaching at Heath Campus or other venue in Calderdale, combined with use of Google Classroom to access electronic learning resources, coursework set by your tutor, collaborative work and online sessions if required.

What will be expected of me?

Your course is either fully or co-funded by the government through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and all Calderdale Adult Learning (CAL) learning is subject to Ofsted inspection. As such you will be required to carry out various learning activities so that we can ensure you are making the expected progress. 

You may have to undertake additional work outside of session times to extend your learning or comprehension where applicable, and you are expected to be punctual, attend regularly and show commitment to achieve successful completion of the course. 

If your attendance drops below 88% or you have not attended three consecutive classes without informing CAL, you may lose your place.
 

How will I know if I am making progress?

An Initial Assessment activity at the start of the course will enable your tutor to assess your starting point. For non-accredited learning this will be completed using a set tutor assessment relevant to the subject area. For accredited courses this requires learners to complete an assessment on the BKSB learning platform. In every class we acknowledge and accommodate for different levels of skill and experience, so learners will be encouraged to identify and work on their own areas for improvement.

You will have a Learner Journey where, with your tutor, you will set the individual learning targets you would like to meet. Throughout the course you will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor, complete regular assessments and be given feedback (both verbally and written) on work produced.

Support for your progression and next steps

Please refer to the advice given to you by your course tutor towards the end of your course or speak to CAL’s IAG Officer for information on how you can progress. 

You can also visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/adultlearning to see the latest course opportunities available at CAL.  If you need support in literacy, numeracy, IT or employability skills please speak to your tutor in the first instance.

 

Information, advice and guidance

CAL Service has been awarded the matrix Standard, the national quality standard for organisations delivering IAG on learning and work.

CAL aims to help learners progress through their chosen course of study. Tutors, learning support staff and our IAG Officer are always available to give you support to help you decide whether a course is appropriate for you. If the course is not appropriate we will aim to put you in touch with an alternative provider. 

For more detailed and specific careers advice, we work in partnership with the Education Development Trust. You can email them at enquiries@educationdevelopmenttrust.com.  If you feel you would benefit from either an individual appointment with them, or a class visit, please ask your tutor in the first instance. 

You can also contact the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900. Their website is also an excellent source of information on careers, finding a job, courses and learning: National Careers Service.

Contact us

Calderdale Adult Learning
Heath Campus
Unit 4, Free School Lane
Halifax HX1 2PS

Telephone: 01422 392820
Email: cyps.cal@calderdale.gov.uk

Normal office hours: 
Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm. 
Fridays 9am to 1pm.