Functional English
The aim of Functional English is to ensure learners have a good command of communication skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening, and can apply these skills in everyday situations.
Functional English is often the first accredited qualification a learner attains in English. It can be used to help prepare students for their GCSEs and many schools use Functional Skills as a replacement for SATs.
Functional Skills are available as standalone qualifications (Entry 1, 2 and 3, Level 1 and Level 2) and they are also:
- embedded in programmes of study at key stages 3 and 4
- a component of apprenticeship frameworks and Foundation Learning
- a replacement for Key Skills qualifications at Levels 1 and 2.
How is Functional English taught?
Teaching Functional English is no different to teaching students to read, write and talk about non-fiction texts within a real-life context. Functional Skills engages students by showing them how to apply each subject in everyday situations, such as:
- writing an effective job application
- finding what they need on the Internet
- evaluating the best deal for a mobile phone package.
Why choose Functional English?
Functional English:
- equips learners with practical skills for GCSEs, work and everyday life
- offers learners an extra qualification which is recognised by employers
- is accessible, using a clear, simple specification written in plain English.
- flexible assessment available four times a year with unlimited re-sit opportunities
- uses tasks based on real-life scenarios, to reflect challenges faced in the real world
- requires little extra teaching time, as there are functional elements in English GCSEs
- offers on-screen tests as an alternative to reading test papers
- includes individual support for Controlled Assessment.
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