Community Needs

Functional Skills English

Overview

Functional Skills in English (Entry Level up to Level 2)

Functional Skills English qualifications are designed to give learners the skills to operate confidently, effectively and independently in education, work and everyday life. They have been created in response to employers’ perceptions that many learners are not achieving a sufficiently firm grounding in the basics.

You will develop all four language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) by being actively involved inside and outside the class. You will take part in activities such as problem-solving exercises, cooperative student projects, informal group work, simulations, case studies, and role playing.

The aims of these qualifications are to develop learner understanding and skills in:

Entry 1

  • Speaking, Listening and Communication – participate in and understand the main points of simple discussions/exchanges about familiar topics with another person in a familiar situation. 
  • Reading – Read and understand short, simple texts that explain or recount information.
  • Writing – Write short, simple sentences.

Entry 2 

  • Speaking, Listening and Communication – participate in discussions/exchanges about familiar topics making active contributions, with one or more people in familiar situations.
  • Reading – Read and understand short, simple texts that explain or recount information.
  • Writing – Write short texts with some awareness of the intended audience.

Entry 3 

  • Speaking, Listening and Communication – respond appropriately to others and make some extended contributions in familiar formal and informal discussions and exchanges. 
  • Reading – Read and understand the purpose and content of straightforward texts that explain, inform and recount information. 
  • Writing – Write texts with some adaptation to the intended audience.

Level 1

  • Speaking, Listening and Communication – take full part in formal and informal discussions and exchanges that include unfamiliar subjects. 
  • Reading – read and understand a range of straightforward texts. 
  • Writing – write a range of texts to communicate information, ideas and opinions using formats and styles suitable for their purpose and audience.

Level 2

  • Speaking, Listening and Communication – make a range of contributions to discussions in a range of contexts, including those that are unfamiliar, and make effective presentations. 
  • Reading – select, read, understand and compare texts and use them to gather information, ideas, arguments and opinions.
  • Writing – write a range of texts, including extended written documents communication information, ideas and opinions, effectively and persuasively.

Start Date: This course has multiple entry points throughout the year. Please call 07305 936446 or email info@communityneeds.org.uk for more information.

Duration: 12 weeks – 32 weeks

Age ranges: These qualifications are approved for delivery to learners aged 16 and above but can be tailored for younger ages.