Free course · no card needed
Free English course for adults, online
Build your reading, spelling and writing at your own pace with free Level 1 practice units, then move on to Functional Skills English when you are ready. Start with a free level check so you know where to begin.
- Free: no card, no trial, no catch
- Four short units on the English you use at work and at home
- Ready for Functional Skills English Level 1 or Level 2 when you are
Quick level check8 questions · about 3 minutes
Try 8 questions, no sign-up
Pick a subject. You see a quick Level 1 or Level 2 guide straight away.
Want the full scored check now?
Quick answer
Is there a free English course for adults online?
Yes. Lift College's free English course for adults covers four areas at Level 1: reading for meaning, spelling, punctuation and grammar, writing clearly, and speaking and listening. It is practice, not a qualification. When you want a certificate, Functional Skills English Level 1 or Level 2 is the next step, and Level 2 is the same level as GCSE grade 4.
What you'll learn
Four free units at Level 1
Open each unit to see what it covers. Your free account opens the English and maths level check straight away. The free units are added to the same account as they are released, at no cost.
Reading for meaningShort lessons with practice questionsFree
- Finding the main points
- Telling fact from opinion
- Reading notices, emails and forms
- The purpose of a text
Spelling, punctuation and grammarShort lessons with practice questionsFree
- Common spellings and homophones
- Apostrophes, commas and full stops
- Sentences that agree
Writing clearlyShort lessons with practice questionsFree
- Planning a short piece
- Emails and letters
- Formal and informal tone
- Paragraphs and checking your work
Speaking and listeningShort lessons with practice questionsFree
- Taking part in a discussion
- Explaining a point clearly
- Listening and asking questions
How it works
Three steps
- 1
Check your level
8 quick questions, no sign-up. See if you're nearer Level 1 or Level 2.
- 2
Create a free account
Name, email and a password. No card needed.
- 3
Go for the qualification
When you're ready, move on to Functional Skills English Level 1 or Level 2 with a tutor and an on-screen exam.
Free course or qualification?
What the free course gives you, and what it doesn't
| Feature | Free English course | Functional Skills English Level 1 or 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, no card | Monthly study plan, see the course page |
| Level | Level 1 practice | Level 1 or Level 2 qualification |
| Certificate | No | Yes, a regulated qualification |
| Tutor | No | Named UK tutor |
| Exam | None | On-screen exam you can sit from home |
| Counts like GCSE grade 4 | No | Level 2: yes, for most employers and courses |
When you're ready
Turn your practice into a qualification
Functional Skills English Level 1
Builds on the free course. The same level as GCSE grades 3 to 1.
See the course and price →Functional Skills English Level 2
The one most employers and courses ask for. The same level as GCSE grade 4.
See the course and price →Level 1 and Level 2 together: 15% off both. Free practice units, not a qualification.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Is the English course really free?
Yes. The practice units are free with a Lift College account. There is no card, no trial period and nothing to cancel. Your free account opens the English and maths level check straight away. The free units are added to the same account as they are released, at no cost.
Do I get a qualification from the free English course?
No. It is practice to build your skills and confidence. For a certificate, take Functional Skills English Level 1 or Level 2, which are regulated qualifications with an on-screen exam you can sit from home.
What level is the free English course?
Level 1, the same level as GCSE grades 3 to 1. Take the free level check first. If it shows you are already at Level 2, you can go straight to Functional Skills English Level 2.
Is this a course for people learning English as a new language (ESOL)?
No. This course is for adults who speak English and want to improve their reading, spelling and writing. If English is not your first language, an ESOL course at a local college is the right place to start.
Can adults get Functional Skills English funded for free?
In England, adults aged 19 or over who do not have a grade 4 (C) in GCSE English can usually study it with full funding at a funded provider. Our free English and maths checker page explains the 2026 to 27 rules.
Also free: the free maths course and the free English and maths level check.