Improve your reading, writing, speaking and communication skills with Intech Centre’s Functional Skills English course in London.
Our City & Guilds Functional Skills English programme is designed for adults who need practical English skills for employment, further education, university, an apprenticeship or everyday life. The course is delivered through blended learning, combining structured online study, tutor support, assessments and centre-based activities where required.
We offer Functional Skills English at Level 1 and Level 2. Before enrolment, you will complete initial and diagnostic assessments so that we can identify your current working level, areas for improvement and the most appropriate learning plan.
Our current funded Functional Skills English provision is delivered as wraparound support through the Greater London Authority’s London Talent Pathways programme.
Functional Skills English is not currently available as a standalone funded course.
To receive funded Functional Skills English learning and, where approved, the required assessments, you must be eligible for and participate in an approved Intech Centre vocational qualification.
Functional Skills English support may be available alongside:
During the vocational programme application process, we will review your existing English qualifications and arrange initial and diagnostic assessments where required. If the assessments identify an English learning need, Functional Skills English may be added to your individual learning plan.
If you only want to study English, do not want to participate in a vocational qualification or are not eligible for London Talent Pathways funding, you can access our Private Functional Skills English online course and private exam options.
The Functional Skills English course is structured as individual online learning. This requires you to be independent up to a certain level and have the appropriate IT skills to work the programme.
You will however have a highly qualified and skilled tutor assisting you throughout your learning. They will track your progress and offer you support through session plans, individual sessions, mini tests and assignments as well as providing additional learning material they feel you may require to overcome any difficulties you may face.
By the end of the course, you will have updated your English skills in the following areas:
Reading
If you find reading challenging on a daily basis, this course will help you in overcoming this barrier. You will learn how to read effectively, grasping the context and purpose of a text, and identifying the different techniques used in accordance with the style of writing.
Writing
You will be shown how to plan your work in detail and how to structure it accordingly as to bring your points across in the most effective way. This will in turn enable you to write more clearly.
Vocabulary, Grammar & Spelling
You will learn the basic uses of grammar, improve your spelling and widen your vocabulary. This will include differentiating between tenses, learning how to use punctuation effectively and practicing your spelling through set activities.
Speaking
You will improve your communications skills with the assistance of your tutor. You will be encouraged to communicate and share your ideas verbally, present information and ask questions.
In addition to updating your reading, writing and speaking skills you will gain a recognised and highly desired GCSE equivalent qualification. This will provide you with a good foundation of skills in the field of work or any further education you may decide to proceed with.
At the end of your course, you will take the following exams:
Reading Exam – 1-hour computer-based exam
Writing Exam – 1 hour 20 minutes computer-based exam
Speaking & Listening Exam – approximately 60-minute, internally marked group-based discussion and presentation exam
Upon successfully passing all three exams, you will obtain a Functional Skills English certificate from City and Guilds which is recognised and valued as a GCSE equivalent qualification.
Please note that it may take up to 20 working days (on exceptional circumstances can take up to 32 working days) for City & Guilds to mark each exam and inform us of the results. If you have successfully passed all exams, it will then take up to 2 weeks for us to receive the physical certificate.
The duration of this course will vary depending on which level you begin with and how long it takes you to absorb the material. Each level must last maximum of 5 weeks.
During your enrolment, you and your tutor will discuss, in detail, how long each level should take you in accordance with the course layout and the level you achieved in your initial assessments. They will then set you a deadline and offer guidance and support to ensure that you reach it.
To be considered for funded Functional Skills English through the current London Talent Pathways programme, you will normally need to:
Eligibility is not confirmed solely by submitting an enquiry form. A full Information, Advice and Guidance appointment and document check will be completed before enrolment.
To apply for funded Functional Skills English support:
Submitting an enquiry does not guarantee funding. Your place will be confirmed after eligibility, assessment and programme suitability checks.
A Functional Skills English course develops practical reading, writing, speaking and listening skills for employment, education and everyday life.
The qualification focuses on applying English in realistic situations, such as reading instructions, understanding articles, writing formal emails, producing reports, participating in discussions and delivering presentations.
Functional Skills English Level 2 is a Level 2 qualification, which is the same qualification level as GCSE English grades 4 to 9 or the previous grades A* to C.
It is frequently described as a GCSE-equivalent qualification, but it is not the same qualification as GCSE English Language. Acceptance depends on the requirements of the employer, university, college, apprenticeship or professional body.
Many universities accept Functional Skills English Level 2, but not all universities accept it for every course.
Courses such as nursing, teaching, social work and other regulated professions may have specific GCSE English requirements. Contact the university admissions team and obtain confirmation before enrolling or booking your exam.
Ofqual-regulated Functional Skills English qualifications can be accepted for apprenticeship English requirements. However, requirements can depend on the apprenticeship level, standard and provider.
Ask the apprenticeship provider to confirm whether City & Guilds Functional Skills English at Level 2 meets its entry or completion requirements.
Many employers accept Functional Skills English Level 2 as evidence of practical English ability at Level 2.
Some job descriptions specifically request GCSE English, while others accept GCSE English or an equivalent Level 2 qualification. Check the exact wording of the vacancy or ask the employer before applying.
The course is funded only for eligible learners participating in an approved GLA London Talent Pathways vocational qualification.
It is not currently available as a standalone free course. Learners who want English only can purchase the private Functional Skills English online course.
No. Under the current London Talent Pathways funding arrangement, Functional Skills English is wraparound support for eligible vocational learners.
You must participate in an approved vocational qualification and have an English learning need identified through assessment.
Subject to final eligibility and assessment, funded English support may be provided alongside the Digital Marketing, Social Media and AI Level 2 course or the Web Design, Social Media and AI Level 2 course.
English cannot be selected as the learner’s only funded programme under the current arrangement.
Applicants will normally need to be aged 19 or over by 31 August 2026, live in a London borough, have the right to live and work in the UK and meet the London Talent Pathways eligibility requirements.
They must also enrol on an approved vocational qualification, complete the required assessments and have an English need identified in their learning plan.
Do not assume that unemployment or receipt of benefits automatically confirms eligibility. Eligibility is determined through the current London Talent Pathways funding rules, your circumstances, your vocational programme and the evidence you provide.
An Intech Centre adviser will complete the full eligibility check before confirming a funded place.
The funded Functional Skills English programme currently supports Level 1 and Level 2, depending on eligibility, assessment results and identified need.
The private Functional Skills English online course includes learning content from Entry Level 3 through to Level 2.
You will complete an initial assessment to indicate your current working level and a diagnostic assessment to identify specific skill gaps.
Your adviser and tutor will use the results to recommend the appropriate starting level and create an individual learning plan.
Functional Skills English Level 2 covers Reading, Writing and Speaking, Listening and Communicating.
Reading includes understanding, analysing and comparing texts. Writing includes producing accurate and appropriate documents for different purposes. Speaking and listening includes presentations, discussions, responding to questions and communicating effectively with others.
Yes. Grammar, punctuation and spelling form an important part of the Writing component.
The course can cover sentence structure, paragraphing, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, formal vocabulary, capital letters, commas, apostrophes and other punctuation. The exact content depends on your diagnostic assessment.
Functional Skills English and GCSE English are different qualifications with different assessment approaches.
Functional Skills concentrates more directly on practical English for work, education and everyday life. That does not mean the Level 2 assessment is automatically easy. Learners must demonstrate accurate reading, writing and communication at the required level.
The course uses blended learning. Much of the learning can be completed online, but funded learners may also need to participate in tutor sessions, reviews, speaking and listening activities or centre-based support.
Applicants should be able to use a computer, access the internet reliably and complete independent learning between sessions.
The typical learning period is approximately five to six weeks, but completion time depends on your starting point, diagnostic results, study time, progress and exam readiness.
Funded English support will be planned around your London Talent Pathways vocational programme.
There are three required components:
You must pass all three components at the same level to receive the full Functional Skills English qualification.
The current City & Guilds Functional Skills English Level 2 Reading assessment is normally one hour.
You will need to read and respond to questions about different texts, purposes, audiences, viewpoints and language techniques.
The current City & Guilds Functional Skills English Level 2 Writing assessment is normally one hour and 20 minutes.
You will be asked to produce written responses for specified purposes and audiences. Accurate spelling, punctuation, grammar, organisation and communication are assessed.
The assessment normally includes a presentation and a structured group discussion.
You will need to communicate information clearly, express ideas, listen to other participants, respond appropriately, ask relevant questions and contribute effectively to the discussion.
Where Functional Skills English is identified, approved and included in your London Talent Pathways learning plan, the required learning and assessments can be funded.
Your adviser must confirm this after completing your eligibility check and reviewing your assessment results.
Yes. If you are already working at Level 2 and only need the qualification, you can book Functional Skills English Level 2 exams in London without joining the funded course.
You should be confident that you are ready for Reading, Writing and Speaking, Listening and Communicating before selecting an exam-only route.
Online assessment options are available subject to the requirements and conditions shown on the online Functional Skills English Level 2 exam page.
Read the booking conditions carefully because online assessments have specific identification, equipment, room and invigilation requirements.
Yes. The private Functional Skills English online course can be purchased as a course-only product.
The private course includes two months of online access, initial and diagnostic assessments, interactive learning, Skills Checks and revision activities. An official exam must be booked separately unless your chosen product explicitly includes it.
Eligible course and exam bundles may include a 50% discount on the normal private online course price.
Check the relevant Functional Skills English exam in London or online Functional Skills English exam page for the current price and booking conditions.
Start with an assessment to identify your weaker areas, then practise Reading, Writing and Speaking, Listening and Communicating regularly.
Use the course Skills Checks, mock assessments and Functional Skills Level 2 exam samples and past papers to become familiar with the question styles, formats and time limits.
Reading and Writing are marked by City & Guilds rather than Intech Centre. Results may be available sooner, but marking can take up to 20 working days and, in exceptional circumstances, up to 32 working days.
Speaking, Listening and Communicating is internally assessed and subject to internal and external quality-assurance requirements. Certification can only take place after all required components have been achieved at the same level.
Yes, if your assessments identify needs in both subjects and both aims are approved as part of your London Talent Pathways learning plan.
You can read about the funded Functional Skills Maths course in London and its current funding conditions.
You can still purchase the private Functional Skills English online course, book Functional Skills English Level 2 exams in London or choose the online Functional Skills English Level 2 exam option.
Private learners do not need to participate in a vocational qualification.
First apply for one of the participating London Talent Pathways vocational programmes. An adviser will check your eligibility, previous qualifications, employment goals and programme suitability.
If you do not hold an accepted English qualification, you will complete initial and diagnostic assessments. Funded English support will only be confirmed after the full eligibility and learning-needs checks have been completed.
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