Overview

The qualification is based on the Department for Education’s Functional Skills Subject Content, which was derived from the National Standards for Functional Skills Qualifications.

Functional Skills provide a foundation for progression into and within employment or further education and develop skills for everyday life. Three skill areas in the Subject Content are in  Level 1: • Reading. • Writing. • Speaking, Listening, and Communicating.

The assessments for the qualifications provide learners with the opportunity to demonstrate their achievement of practical skills as well as the underpinning knowledge and understanding.

The Functional Skills qualifications in English at Level 2 aim to equip learners with the skills and confidence to apply and adapt their English knowledge and skills to situations in their life and work in a range of contexts and for various purposes.

These qualifications require learners to successfully achieve summative assessment tasks that are externally set for Reading and Writing, and externally set/centre-set/adapted for Speaking, Listening, and Communication. Learners can take these when they have undergone a relevant teaching and learning programme that covers the skills criteria in their entirety at Level 2 and have developed the appropriate skills, ready for assessment.

Functional Skills qualifications are achieved by the successful completion of summative components in Reading, Writing and Speaking, Listening, and Communication. Learners need to achieve a pass at the same level in each of the three components to achieve a full Functional Skills qualification in English at Level 2.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for learners undertaking these qualifications. However, it is recommended that learners have a reasonable level of English or equivalent. Learners must be able to demonstrate the requirements of these qualifications and have access to required assessment opportunities and relevant resources. Please refer to the specific assessment requirements on individual components for more information. Centres should undertake initial assessment activities with learners to ensure they take an appropriate qualification, and they can achieve the level they will be studying before enrolling them in a programme of learning. These qualifications are for individuals of all ages who wish to gain essential skills in English and are particularly beneficial for individuals who may have missed out on acquiring these skills during their formal education or for those who wish to enhance their existing skills for further education, employment, or personal development.

Assessment & Evidence

Assessment and Evidence Learners must achieve the pass mark for the assessments to be awarded the qualification. The qualifications are awarded to learners who successfully achieve a pass in the summative assessment for each of the three components of Reading, Writing and Speaking, Listening, and Communication, at the same level.

Where a learner has not yet met the subject content to be awarded a pass, a result of fail will be issued along with a formal statement of results.

Marking of Assessments

These qualifications are marked (Speaking, Listening, and Communicating component is Tutor Assessed).