Functional Skills English aims to ensure that each individual is confident and capable when using the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, and is able to communicate effectively, adapting to a range of audiences and contexts.
What Functional English is and what it involves?
This will include being able to explain information clearly and succinctly in speech and writing, expressing a point of view reasonably and persuasively, and using English to communicate effectively. In a practical context this means that in life and work each individual should be able to:
■ read and understand information and instructions, and then use this understanding to act appropriately. This could apply to working out which train to catch to reach a specific destination, to organising a series of tasks in the workplace
■ analyse how ideas and information are presented, and be able to evaluate their usefulness, for example solving a problem.
■ make an oral presentation or report and contribute to discussions
■ use speech to work collaboratively in teams to agree actions and conclusions.
Real Life Examples of Functional Skills English:
As part of a classroom project a student is able to assemble a range of evidence supporting a point of view from websites and books, to discuss which is relevant and to seek further material, if needed, to form the basis for a report.
Shift workers in a hotel are able to write clear updates in the issues log for the oncoming shifts, recording jobs done, those in progress and requests for action. These are brief, accurate and precise in order for the next shift to act upon them effectively
Functional Skills English will cover:
Speaking, listening and communicating
Level 1 – Taking full part in formal and informal discussions that include unfamiliar topics
Level 2 – Make a range of contributions to discussions in a range of contexts,
including those that are unfamiliar, and make effective presentations
| Reading |
Level 1 – Reading and understanding a range of straightforward tasks
Level 2 – Select, read, understand and compare texts and use them to gather information, ideas, arguments and opinions.
Writing
Level 1 – Write a range of texts to communicate information, ideas and opinions, using formats and styles suitable for their purpose and audience.
Level 2 – Write a range of texts, including extended written documents, ideas and opinions, effectively and persuasively
Weaker students need to address specific areas that would help them gain additional marks in certain key areas, to give the student this advantage, our free functional skills english diagnostics assessment sheet will assist you doing this
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