What is Functional Skills English?
In England, Functional Skills English is a qualification starting from Entry Level 1 to Level 2.
It focuses on developing core reading, writing and listening skills required for today’s work environment and further study.
Functional Skills English is for those individuals who lack formal qualifications in English and maths. Sometimes students who complete Level 2 go on to study GCSE English Language.
Is Functional Skills English equivalent to a GCSE grade 4?
Level 2 Functional Skills English is recognised by some universities as an equivalent qualification to a grade four in GCSE English Language and is widely accepted by many employers.
However, there is a significant difference between the two qualifications. GCSE English is more of an academic subject that prepares you to study at A’ level, whereas Functional Skills is geared towards vocational subjects in preparation for employment.
Therefore, it is advisable to check the universities entry requirements before deciding to enrol on a Functional Skills English course.
If your aim is to eventually complete a GCSE, Functional Skills English can provide the skills to progress, but extra study is recommended to bridge the gap between the two qualifications.
There are resources on this website to help you develop your English skills for Functional Skills English to prepare you for GCSE English Language.
What topics does Functional Skills English cover?
Functional Skills English covers a range of topics relevant to real-life situations such as health, education, environment, shopping, travel, leisure and technology. These familiar topics are chosen so students will find it easier to write about. However, it is advisable to keep up-to-date with current affairs and social issues by reading newspapers, watching the news and listening to podcasts and the radio. The BBC website is a good resource for the types of topics that might be covered in your exam, as well as podcasts and news.
How do I know what my level is?
You will be assessed before you enrol on your course and will be assigned the appropriate level based on the results of your initial assessment.
What skills are you assessed on?
You are assessed on three core components: reading, writing and speaking and listening, and you must pass all three units to achieve a certificate in Functional Skills English.
The reading component
At level 1 and 2, you are assessed on your ability to understand a variety of texts with different purposes, such as narratives, instructions, explanations and persuasive texts; your ability to identify the main point of a text; how writers use layout features and language to express ideas and information; and comparing and identifying similar and different ideas between texts.
The writing component
Throughout your course, you will learn and practise how to write for different purposes and audiences, in formats such as letters, emails, articles and reports.
You will be expected to structure your ideas clearly and logically using discourse markers such as, however, furthermore, to show the development of your points and ideas. In addition, you will demonstrate you can use language features in your writing to make it engaging and interesting to read.
At level 2, 43 percent of the exam marks are awarded for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
The speaking and listening component
As part of the qualification, you will take part in an informal and formal discussion about familiar and unfamiliar topics. At level 2, you will also deliver a presentation on a chosen topic which you will have to plan and research.
The speaking and listening unit is designed to show you can convey information and ideas in a clear and convincing way, using the appropriate language for your audience.
Overview at level 1 and 2
At level 1, students complete two speaking and listening tasks.
Task 1 is a small group discussion on a topic that requires a question and answer response. Students will be required to talk for 3-4 minutes and show they can:
Answer questions related to the topic.
Ask relevant questions based on their peers talk.
Task 2 is a formal group discussion for 10 minutes. Students should be able to demonstrate they can:
Express their arguments and viewpoints about the topic
Comment and respond to the viewpoint of their peers.
Use the appropriate language for a formal discussion.
Listen to others.
Level 2
At level 2, students will complete two tasks: a presentation and a group discussion.
For task 1, students will be expected to deliver a presentation between 4 and 5 minutes based on a topic of their choosing, followed by a question and answer session lasting 3 minutes.
Students will be expected to demonstrate they can:
Communicate ideas, opinions and information clearly and coherently.
Use evidence to support persuasive arguments and opinions.
Ask relevant questions.
Task 2 is a group discussion. Students will be expected to:
Express their arguments and viewpoints about the topic.
Comment and respond to the viewpoint of their peers.
Use the appropriate language for a formal discussion.
Help to keep the discussion moving forward.
Below is a breakdown of each component in more detail based on level.
Level 1 Speaking and Listening
Level 1 Reading
Level 1 writing
Level 2 Speaking and listening
Level 2 Reading
Level 2 Writing
What can I do to improve my chances of passing?
First, you can check out the resources provided on this website, which guide you through all the components with explanations and worksheets to supplement your studies. Start byreading the fact sheet on ‘purposes of texts’, which is the first topic for the reading component. This fact sheet introduces you to the skill of identifying different types and its purpose.
Read widely - non-fiction texts. Reading develops vocabulary and aids in improving comprehension and writing.
Listen to the radio and watch the news to keep up-to-date with current events.
Journaling - writing everyday helps you to improve the clarity of thoughts and ideas in writing and speaking.
Copy - if you find writing particularly difficult, especially punctuation, spelling and grammar, copy news articles into a notebook and pay attention to how punctuation is used and how to construct grammatically correct sentences. This will help you to improve your writing and is a proven technique.
Practise past exam papers which you can download from the Edexcel website.
Lastly, enjoy the process. Reading and writing are invaluable skills that will enrich your life.
