English Short Course
About this course
What is the English Short Course?
The English Short Course accredits up to 60 hours of English language and literature activities. The challenges can be seen as preparation for coursework, as well as assessment opportunities. They can also underpin study of pre-release material and preparation for some elements of GCSE English language and literature examinations.
The flexibility of ASDAN's Short Courses means they can be carried out in a variety of settings, over a time period to suit the individual or co-ordinating centre. Challenge descriptions can be interpreted and adapted according to the situation.
Delivery format: English Short Course is available through Equitas, ASDAN’s digital learning platform, or in student book format. Some Equitas challenges differ from the student book version. Use one format per learner group. Equitas challenges can be downloaded.
| Learner age | 13+, 14+, 14–16, 14–25, 16+, 16–19, 19+, Adults |
| Level (indicative for non-regulated courses) | Level 1, Entry 3 |
| Key Stage | Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5 |
| Education setting | Mainstream school, Justice system (including youth offending), Further education, Community Education, EOTAS, PRU, Voluntary sector, Academy / Multi-academy trust, Training provider, Adult education, Independent school, Social services, Secondary |
| Guided learning hours | 10–20 hours, 20–60 hours |
| Regulated | Non-regulated course |
| Certification | Externally certificated, digital or hard-copy (additional fee) |
| Location | England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, International (including Channel Islands and Ireland) |
| UCAS points | No UCAS points available |
| Available on Equitas | Yes |
| Pathway | Personal Effectiveness |
Helpful information
Who is the English Short Course for?
Short Courses are widely used in formal and non-formal settings, for learners aged 13 and over. Although ASDAN’s Short Courses are designed for learners working at Entry level 3 to Level 1, they can be adapted for learners working above or below these levels. The focus is on completing challenges and developing skills.
Facts and figures
- Flexible programmes of learning accessible to learners at a range of levels
- Internally moderated
- Accredits 10–60 hours of activities
- Can count towards up to three credits for the Personal Development Programmes
- Can support skills development for ASDAN’s Personal Effectiveness Qualifications and may contribute to recognition of prior learning where standards are met in full
Requirements
Each learner must have their own registration. Learners must present evidence of their activities in an organised portfolio.
This should include:
- a record of the challenges completed, with supporting evidence
- recording documents showing how the learner planned and reviewed their activities
- a summary of achievement highlighting skills development
- a personal statement.
Equitas organises evidence against each challenge within the platform.
We have created guidance for members delivering ASDAN Short Courses, including planning, requirements, quality assurance and certification.
Course content
There are some key differences between the challenge content in the original English Short Course student book and the version available on Equitas. These include updated module titles, revised challenge content and outcomes, and additional new challenges.
For consistency, we recommend that members choose one format to use with all learners within a group. Copies of the challenges available on Equitas can be downloaded and used directly with learners.
Course content on Equitas
The English Short Course on Equitas is organised into 10 modules:
- Get Started
- Reading and writing for everyday life
- Words at work
- Express yourself
- Navigate the world
- Smart choices
- Tell the story
- Digital lives
- Take a stand
- Next steps
Course content - student book
The English Short Course book comprises six modules:
- Developing communication skills
- Speaking and listening
- Reading and writing styles
- Reading for pleasure
- Writing for a purpose
- Reading for a purpose
Each learner will need their own copy of the student book, which contains the challenge content and recording documents.
Download sample pages from the English Short Course student book.For guidance on running ASDAN Short Courses, please see our step-by-step guides:
ASDAN training supports educators to deliver this course successfully. Sessions provide an introduction, alongside guidance on planning, delivery, assessment and internal quality assurance. Training is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.
Training is included in ASDAN membership for organisations joining or renewing after 1 April 2026, excluding tailored INSET.
Book training in the members area
ASDAN members can also take part in our special interest groups. These online sessions focus on specific areas of practice and provide opportunities for discussion, collaboration and networking with other members.
All registration costs are per learner. Each learner must have their own registration. Registrations are valid for three years from the date of purchase.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Short Course student book | £12 |
| Short Course Equitas learner registration and digital learning platform login | £12 |
| Short Course PDF certificate | Free |
| Short Course printed and foiled certificate (optional, per learner, per Short Course) | £3.75 |
Volume pricing for Equitas Short Courses
We offer scalable pricing for Short Courses on Equitas. This pricing applies only to new registrations made together in a single transaction for the same Equitas Short Course:
- 1–9 learners: £12 per registration
- 10–19 learners: £8 per registration
- 20–29 learners: £6 per registration
- 30+ learners: £4 per registration
Products
Course resources
English Short Course - 1B7: Alternative communication methods
This resource encourages learners to explore a range of different methods of communication: a foreign language, Braille, sign language and Morse code. This resource links to challenge 1B7 of the English Short Course.
English Short Course - 2A1: 60-second presentation topics
These cards can be cut out and used in a lucky dip for learners to select topics for their 60-second presentations on a random topic. A blank template sheet is included for staff (and learners) to add their own ideas. This resource links to challenge 2A1 of the English Short Course. You could carry out this challenge using the rules from the radio show Just A Minute. In this, speakers need to speak for one minute without deviation, repetition or hesitation. If they do, other participants can lodge a challenge and take over the topic. Words such as a, the or and are allowed to be repeated, as can the title of the topic. Contestants get a point for correctly interrupting if they spot someone repeating, deviating or hesitating, and whoever is speaking at the end of 60 seconds gets a point. If someone can talk for the whole minute, an extra point is given.
English Short Course - 3A7: Character illustration template
This resource links to challenge 3A7 from the English Short Course, which asks learners to choose a character from a piece of prose and use 10 quotations to create a labelled illustration of that character. Learners should consider both physical appearance and the personality of their chosen character when choosing their quotations.nnPage 1 provides a template for learners to illustrate their chosen character and page 2 can be used to record the 10 quotations.
English Short Course: Observation checklist - discussion
This observation checklist can be used to record learners' participation in group discussions. There are templates for two discussions, allowing learners to view their progress as they practise their discussion skills. This resource links to challenges 2A3, 2B1 and 3A8 of the English Short Course.
English Short Course: Observation checklist - oral presentation
This observation checklist can be used to record learners' performance in planning and giving an oral presentation. This resource links to challenges 1A7, 2B2 and 6A7 of the English Short Course.
English Short Course - 4A1: Comparing a book with a film adaptation - Harry Potter
These worksheets can be used to compare one of the Harry Potter books with the film adaptation. Learners should record some of the key similarities and differences between the book and film, before working in pairs to exploring one similarity and one difference in more detail. This resource links to challenge 4A1 from the English Short Course. This resource has been created to add a Harry Potter theme to challenges from the English Short Course. It is not an official Harry Potter product and has not been endorsed by JK Rowling or Warner Bros Entertainment Inc.
English Short Course - 4A1: Comparing a book with a film adaptation
These worksheets can be used to compare a horror novel with the film adaptation. Learners should record some of the key similarities and differences between the book and film, before working in pairs to exploring one similarity and one difference in more detail. This resource links to challenge 4A1 from the English Short Course.
Evaluation chart (individual)
This evaluation chart can be used by learners to evaluate a six-week individual activity. Learners are asked to mark on the graph each week to show what they did and how they felt; at the end of the project the learner should join up the marks to give a picture of the whole activity. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Evaluation chart (group)
This evaluation chart can be used by learners to evaluate a six-week group activity. Each member of the group should choose a different colour and mark on the graph each week to show what they did and how they felt. At the end of the project, each group member then joins up their marks to give a picture of the whole activity. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Planning a group or team task
This resource can be used when planning a group or team task. It links particularly well to ASDAN's Short Course programmes.
Self-evaluation template
This generic self-evaluation template can be used by learners to evaluate almost any group activity. Learners are asked to record how they felt about the activity and pick out the best and worst bits, before reflecting on what they could do better next time. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Teamwork health check
This generic teamwork health check template can support a wide range of group activities. Learners are asked to come up with a list of agreed ground rules for good teamwork, then rate each group member's performance against these criteria. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Short Courses summary of achievement and personal statement : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses summary of achievement and personal statement : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 1 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 1 : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 2 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 2 : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 3 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 3 : Word version (mandatory)