Functional skills are designed to equip learners with the skills to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life, learning and work. They have been designed in response to employers’ perceptions that many learners are not achieving a firm enough grounding in the basics.
The purpose of the Functional Skills in English at Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 aim to ensure that each individual is able to communication effectively and develop skills in:
- Speaking, Listening and Communication
- Reading
- Writing
For each component (reading, writing and speaking, listening and communication) realistic contexts have been designed so that learners develop the functionality they need. Learners must pass each component at their chosen level in order to achieve the award for Functional Skills English.
Qualification objectives
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.