Functional Skills English

The original Functional Skills English (FSE) criteria, now known as Legacy FSE (LFSE), were published in 2011 and replaced the Adult Literacy Core Curriculum (ALCC) that was published in 2001. In 2018 Functional Skills English was completely refreshed and new subject content descriptors were published (known as the reformed Functional Skills Content).

English resources published on Skillsworkshop before 2011 are mapped to the ALCC. Those published later are mapped to Functional Skills English (those after 2018 have more detailed mapping as the Reformed Content includes numbered descriptors rather than broad categories). There is much overlap between these curricula and, despite its age, the ALCC remains a useful reference and taxonomy tool.

For a list of resources that cover this curriculum area SCROLL DOWN

Scrolling down will lead to a list of very general multi-level resources that cover many aspects of reading, writing, and SL&C. To drill down to more specific areas and content descriptors follow the bulleted links below. 
Within skillsworkshop.org Functional Skills English is split into areas as follows (click on each link for more information and to find relevant resources):

Speaking, Listening and Communication (SL&C)

Reading

Writing

SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar)

COMPOSITION

 

Learner reflection sheet for learners of Functional Skills with prompts to think about next steps.

Editor's Note

An inspiring and friendly-looking 2 page document. Ideal for Functional Maths and English learners from E3 upwards. Very useful! 

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English
General literacy / English
Maths
Functional Maths
General numeracy / maths
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Aims & objectives, ILPs, reflections
Context
Education and teaching

Two Excel spreadsheets to track students performance in Functional Skills Maths and Functional Skills English from Entry Level 1 up until Level 2. Can be used by teachers and I also send electronically or print them off and give students to complete themselves. 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English
Maths
Functional Maths

A reading comprehension and vocabulary activity suitable for both ESOL and Literacy / Functional Skills. The activities are based on a BBC News article about John Cronin’s online business, John’s Crazy Socks. John, who has Down’s Syndrome, is a co-founder of the business, along with his father, Mark.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Adult Literacy: Engage in Discussion
Use reading strategies
Rw/L1.2
Identify main points and detail
Plan, compose and draft
Follow and understand
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL: Reading word focus - vocabulary, word recognition, phonics (Rw)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
Context
Employment skills & Public services
Business & Money management

This resource is aimed at high E3, L1 and L2 ESOL learners who make mistakes when using conjunctions, prepositions and adverbs in their writing to express contrast. There are seven speaking, reading and writing tasks in all.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Use knowledge of grammar
Apply grammar
Identify main points and detail
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL: Writing sentence focus - punctuation and grammar (Ws)
ESOL Reading: sentence focus - grammar, punctuation (Rs)
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
Context
Sport and fitness
News, Politics & Government items

[img_assist|nid=6104|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=71]A Powerpoint presentation designed to prompt discussion and accompanying reading comprehension to advise about avoiding scams.

Editor’s note
With curriculum mapping. Covers reading, writing and SL&C.

Level
Entry Level 1
English
AL Rt/E1.1 Read short familiar texts
Functional Skills English
Context
Independent living

An ESOL reading comprehension based on a BBC News report on the death of Stanislav Petrov, who averted a potential Cold War disaster in 1983.

The text contains several examples of past perfect, reported speech and third / mixed conditionals. The activity combines reading for gist, for detail, identifying vocabulary and identifying parts of speech. An extension activity gives learners an opportunity to write a similar short text, using the same elements of grammar to tell a story about a decision that changed events.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Use knowledge of grammar
Apply grammar
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL: Reading word focus - vocabulary, word recognition, phonics (Rw)
ESOL: Writing sentence focus - punctuation and grammar (Ws)
ESOL Reading: sentence focus - grammar, punctuation (Rs)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
Context
News, Politics & Government items
History, culture, museums, libraries

Designed for Entry 3 – Level 2 Functional Skills English.
Students loved this lesson. Can be designed around other areas but covers:
Writing persuasively.
Fact and opinion.
Research write a factual article
Create a poster using appropriate language.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional Skills English
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Finding and selecting information
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries

I have had feedback from people using the Big Brother PDF discussion worksheet (see link below – under see also) but without any pictures! The fun part of the session (and for it to really work) is to show the students the people they have chosen: this generates plenty of discussion about prejudice and stereotyping. So, here are the 20 pictures to match to each description given in the earlier resource. (You should feel free to edit and adapt according to the demographics / prejudices / preconceptions of own students).

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Video task and reading comprehension based on the style of Entry ESOL reading exams. Taken from BBC Newsround website.

Editor’s note
Questions suitable for mixed ability classes from E2-L1 and make good discussion prompts for further work.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
ESOL
General ESOL
Context
News, Politics & Government items

This is a selection of literacy tasks, based on the Poppy Appeal 2016 and John McCrae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, covering aspects of speaking and listening, reading and writing.

Editor’s note: covers all aspects of L1-2 Functional English – also suitable for GCSE.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional Skills English reading
Functional Skills English
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community
History, culture, museums, libraries
Employment skills & Public services