Functional Skills English – Entry Level 1

Overview

The Entry 1 Functional Skills English qualification covers various aspects of the English language, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. It focuses on developing practical skills that individuals can apply in real-life situations. The qualification is divided into different units, each addressing specific language skills and competencies.

In the reading component, learners are exposed to different types of texts, such as articles, instructions, and short stories. They are encouraged to develop reading strategies to comprehend the main ideas, locate specific information, and infer meaning from the text. Reading activities often involve exercises that help learners build vocabulary, improve comprehension, and enhance their overall reading fluency.

The writing component of the qualification aims to enhance learners' ability to communicate effectively in written form. Learners are taught basic grammar and punctuation rules, sentence structure, and paragraph organisation. They are encouraged to write different types of texts, such as letters, emails, and short descriptions. The focus is on developing clear, coherent, and well-structured writing skills.

The speaking and listening components emphasise oral communication skills. Learners engage in activities that promote effective listening and comprehension, as well as speaking confidently in different contexts. They practice participating in conversations, giving presentations, and expressing their opinions. The emphasis is on improving pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar while fostering communication skills necessary for everyday life.

Throughout the Entry 1 Functional Skills English qualification, learners are encouraged to develop their confidence, independence, and critical thinking skills. They are provided with opportunities to engage in group discussions, collaborate on projects, and present their ideas. This helps to enhance their interpersonal skills and build their overall language proficiency.

Assessments for this qualification are designed to be practical and relevant. They assess learners' ability to apply their English language skills in real-life situations. Assessments may include tasks such as reading and responding to a set of instructions, completing forms, participating in group discussions, and delivering short presentations. The assessments are marked internally by trained assessors or teachers and externally verified to ensure consistency and fairness.

At this level, once you have completed the course you will be able to:

Listen and respond

• Listen for the gist of short explanations
• Listen for detail using keywords to extract some specific information
• Follow single-step instructions in a familiar context, asking for instructions to be repeated if necessary
• Listen and respond to requests for personal information

Speak to communicate

• Speak clearly to be heard and understood in simple exchanges
• Make requests using appropriate terms
• Ask questions to obtain specific information
• Make statements of fact clearly

Engage in discussion

• Speak and listen in simple exchanges and everyday contexts

Reading comprehension

• Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
• Recognise the different purposes of texts at this level

Writing composition

• Use written words and phrases to record or present information

Grammar and punctuation

• Read and recognise simple sentence structures
• Construct a simple sentence
• Punctuate a simple sentence with a capital letter and a full stop
• Use a capital letter for personal pronoun ‘I’

Vocabulary, word recognition and phonics

• Possess a limited, meaningful sight vocabulary of words, signs and symbols
• Decode simple, regular words
• Recognise the letters of the alphabet in both upper and lower case

Spelling and handwriting

• Spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
• Write the letters of the alphabet using upper and lower case
• Use basic sound-symbol association to help to spell

The Entry 1 Functional Skills English qualification provides a foundation for individuals to progress to higher levels of English language proficiency. It equips learners with the skills they need to communicate effectively in everyday situations, both in personal and professional contexts. By completing this qualification, individuals can enhance their employability prospects, access further education and training opportunities, and participate more actively in society.

Overall, the Entry 1 Functional Skills English qualification serves as an essential steppingstone for individuals who need to improve their basic English language skills. It provides them with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate various language tasks and develop their confidence in communicating effectively in English.

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