English is not just a language but an integral part of our day-to-day lives. From morning to night, we use English to communicate our feelings, emotions, queries, and needs. Thus, in a professional setting, functional skills English qualifications are highly valued. They help to enhance personal relationships in the workplace and unlock new opportunities. If you are ready to embark on the journey of functional skills English qualification, you are in the right place.
Our blog is here to help you out. It will guide you through the journey. It will take you through all the details and give you effective tips and tricks to ace it. So, stay till the end!
Table of Contents
What are Functional Skills Qualification?
Functional Skills is a recognised qualification in the UK. The functional skills qualification aims to equip learners with skills applied in real life rather than a theoretical understanding. There are different levels of functional skills which allow individuals to strengthen their basics. Therefore, they can gradually move to more advanced levels.
This qualification is highly valued among employers, training providers and educational institutions. Thus, this qualification has the power to open a wide range of opportunities for individuals. People can take the qualification through online and offline exams. Therefore, it is accessible to a wide range of people who want to improve their qualifications.
Functional Skills qualification assists individuals in improving their basic skills in three areas. These are –
- Maths,
- Information communication technology,
- English.
What are Functional Skills English?
Functional English skills are the basics of English communication. These are the core skills you need to communicate in English. These skills are important for both verbal and written communication. Therefore, these skills assist us in having better communication with others at work and home.
English functional skills are divided into three major categories. Each category covers a vital aspect of English language communication. The categories are –
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking, listening and communicating
Reading
Reading is defined as the ability to understand the meaning of written text without the assistance of others. The functional skills will help you improve your reading ability. You will get the chance to work on your reading speed and efficiency.
In addition, it will enhance your vocabulary and improve your independent reading skills. Furthermore, taking functional skills will assist you in understanding text structure and the different features of the texts. As a result, you will be able to read different types of text from various contexts.
Writing
Writing is when someone constructs a meaningful written text with a purpose without taking support. Through functional writing skills, you will get a practical understanding of the writing process. You will be able to apply it in real life more proficiently. Moreover, you will enhance your grammar, punctuation and spelling skills. Therefore, you will be able to write effective and error-free written content for your personal and professional tasks.
Speaking, Listening and Communicating
Speaking, listening and communicating are the fundamental skills you need to interact with others and express yourself. They have a significant impact on establishing effective communication. Speaking is a verbal way of expressing yourself. We demonstrate our emotions, thoughts and ideas through speaking to others.
On the other hand, listening is the ability to receive and interpret. Through listening to spoken language or sounds, we understand others and our surroundings. These two elements are the vital part of communicating with others.
Through functional skills, you will be able to express yourself clearly and confidently. They will help you articulate your ideas better. In addition, functional skills will enable you to focus and interpret what others are saying. These skills are highly valuable for both personal and professional growth. They help us not just with face-to-face communication but also with digital communication.
Levels of Functional Skills English
There are different levels of functional skills in English. Each level symbolises different levels of expertise. The levels are divided into three parts. They are: Entry-level, Level 1, and Level 2. However, the Entry-level is again separated into 3 sections. Here is a list of all the levels for functional skills.
- 1. Entry-level-1
Entry-level-2
Entry-level-3
- 2. Level-1
- 3. Level-2
Functional Skills English Equivalent Grade
As you already know, there are 3 core levels of functional skills. The functional skills equivalent grade to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) grade differs from level to level. For the Entry-level functional skills, the grade is below GCSE. In addition, a student has to spend 47 hours as qualification time, of which 45 hours must be for guided learning time.
The GCSE grade D-G is equivalent to Level 1 Functional Skills. In order to get this qualification, you have to complete a total of 50 hours of qualification time. Among these 50 hours, 45 hours must be allocated for guided learning. On the other hand, Level 2 Functional Skills are equivalent to GCSE grade A*- C. 54 hours of qualification time are required for level 2 and like level 1, 45 hours must be dedicated to guided learning.
How are Functional Skills English Assessed?
The English functional skills exam is a combination of written and practical assessments. The target of these assessments is to evaluate the proficiency of the learners. These assessments include reading, writing, speaking, listening and communication.
Here, a written assessment is conducted through different types of writing tasks. For example, emails, reports, articles, creative pieces etc. Generally, for the reading assessment, a passage is given, and you have to answer questions after reading the passage. On the other hand, speaking and listening are usually practical tasks taken in controlled settings. For example, discussions, presentations, answering questions orally, etc. The students are marked on the performance of the tasks. However, no marks or grades are given for the assessment results. So, it’s either ‘pass’ or ‘fail’.
Why Should You Take a Functional Skills English Course?
Taking a functional skills English course can benefit your personal and professional life.
Here is a list of benefits you can enjoy by taking the course.
- No matter which industry you work for, effective communication skills are a must. However, you cannot communicate fluently without a certain level of English skills. Thus, employers look for candidates who possess functional English skills.
- If you are looking forward to higher degrees in renowned educational institutions, you must have a good grasp of English. Some universities will ask for proof of your proficiency in English.
- Enrolling in a functional skills English course will play a vital role in self-development. The course will help you implement functional skills in real life. Thus, you will learn to express yourself better and be able to develop good networks.
- The functional English skills course enhances your listening and reading abilities. As a result, you become more proficient in absorbing knowledge. So, if you take career development programs, training or any other courses, it becomes easier to comprehend the topics.
How to Improve Functional Skills English?
Practice is the key to improving your English functional skills. The more time you put into practising the topics, the better grasp you will have. So, read a lot of articles, books, magazines, blogs or anything that interests you. In addition, reading is an excellent way to enhance your vocabulary and critical thinking skills.
Along with that, try to write a few lines regularly to grasp a solid foundation in English writing. Writing regularly will decrease the number of mistakes and improve your skills. Furthermore, when you apply these skills in real life, you will be able to learn the skills faster. As a result, it will level up your communication game.
Seeking professional guidance is an effective way to improve functional skills in English. There are many online and offline courses that provide professional training and insights into functional skills. You can check out the functional skills English courses by John Academy. These courses are self-paced and CPDQS-accredited. Hence, they are perfect for improving your functional skills English.
How can I Take a Functional Skills English Qualification?
Taking functional skills qualification will be profitable for your career. When the employers will see your resume, they will know your capability. Furthermore, they will prioritise you rather than those who do not have this qualification. Now, you may ask how you can take the functional skills exams.
You can either choose the online exam or the offline exam in order to get your functional skills qualification. There are many centres and educational institutions that take offline examinations. You can take their courses and prepare yourself. Once you are ready, you can sit for the exam through them. However, there are also online platforms available where you can take the exams online.
Tips on How to Pass Your Functional Skills English Writing Exam
Many people worry about writing text. However, there are some strategies that can help you acquire good marks in the writing text. Here they are –
Attentively Read All the Questions
Do not skim through the questions. Read every question attentively and try to understand what they are asking. By reading the questions, you will understand how to structure your answers. It will help you demonstrate your writing skills better.
Build a Plan
After reading the questions carefully, develop a plan on how you want to answer them. Write down the key points of the answers. This will help you understand how to start the answers and present the points effectively. However, make sure you are not wasting too much time in this process.
Use the Source Documents
Source documents will come in handy. Go through the documents and use them to note down the key points. If the information is given in bullet points, use them to write your answers.
Understand the Task
Figure out what you have been asked to write. Is it an email or article or something else? Should you go for an informative or persuasive approach? Try to understand what the question wants you to say, as it will help you select the appropriate approach.
Chose Your Style
There are two styles of writing: formal and informal. You should know both the style and apply them according to the audience. The questions will address different groups of audience. Thus, you will have to identify the audience and decide if you should go for formal or informal style.
Maintain Word Count
While writing, make sure your writing is not too long. When the length is too much, it can give out unwanted information or get carried away from the point. So, if there is a given word limit, stay within the minimum range. However, if there are no word limits, make one in your mind and follow that.
Check Your Writing
Error-free grammar, spelling and punctuation are highly effective for attaining good scores. Therefore, once you finish writing, check for mistakes and fix them. Also, make sure your formatting is correct. This strategy will prevent losing marks due to silly mistakes.
Conclusion
Functional Skills English qualification is an excellent way of upgrading your potential. Thus, whether you are a student or a professional this qualification will increase your efficiency and accuracy in communication. So, what are you waiting for? Buckle up and ace your exams!
FAQs
The passing marks depend on the level of the qualification. Usually, for level 1 and level 2 the pass mark for the exam is 50-60%. However, this is not a fixed percentage. It can change according to the difficulty level of the exam.
It is true that functional skills qualification is appropriate for those who failed their maths and English GCSE exams. However, it does not imply that functional skills exams are easier. These exams also require a great deal of time and effort, like any other exam.
There are both part-time and full-time courses available. Generally, the online courses are self-paced. Hence, the learner can complete the course according to their convenience.
English functional skills level 2 is equivalent to GCSE grade A*- C.
Level 1 English functional skills qualification is equivalent to GCSE grade D-G.
Generally, the passing mark is 50-60%. But this percentage can vary depending on how difficult the exam is.
Read more!
