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

 

A huge and extremely comprehensive pack of resources. Written for ESOL learners but many parts are also suitable for Functional English and/or Job Skills groups. Includes:

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Functional Skills English
ESOL
General ESOL
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
Employment skills & Public services

Using a diary and a timeline to consolidate the use of past and future tense.
Answering and forming questions. What did she do yesterday? She went…
What is she going to do tomorrow? She’s going to ….
Good for practising the day before / after.
Includes answer sheet, other suggested activities and a ‘make your own’ blank diary.
Editor’s note
Page 1 of the resource should be printed in colour if at all possible (or display on a large screen) as colour is cleverly used to distinguish between past, present and future.

Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
English
Functional Skills English
ESOL
General ESOL
Context
Independent living

A text based around Ramadan to practise E3 -L1 English reading in detail / skimming & scanning for information.
There is also a related form filling exercise (E2-E3), dictionary work, and a discussion prompt (all levels)

The letter-writing task focuses on charity, so it could also tie in to employability qualifications if you are teaching community project modules or similar.

Editor’s note
With answers and curriculum mapping

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Form filling
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community

A L1/L2 Functional English card match resource. Serves as a tactile supplement/plenary for the recognition of text and layout features assessed at Level 1/2. Colour coded to aid learners in organising the columns, this resource allows learners to place the layout feature next to its descriptor and layout effect.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Rt/L2.6 Use organisational features and systems to locate texts and information
Rt/L1.4
FS Eng READING - locate information
Functional Skills English

This integrated set of worksheet tasks develops speaking, listening & communication; reading and writing skills in relation to a topic of individual interest to the learner and also encourages independent research and planning.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Functional Skills English - writing
Functional Skills English
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Updated June 2017
New Entry 3 reading and writing tasks added. Available below as a separate PDF file. You will also need to download the L1-2 version as it uses the same text.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional Skills English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional Skills English reading
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
Context
News, Politics & Government items
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

The Core Curriculum and Functions Skills Progression Overview side-by-side.
Editor’s note
The print quality of this resource may be low as it is a cut, pasted and scanned (very useful) document. It is not available, even to contributors, as a Word document.
Richard has also posted a link to an interactive version of this document.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English
General
Staff development

Some games to play with literacy or Functional English groups for revision.
Ideal for Entry 3-Level 2

Editor’s note
The students make the games, play them and then discuss them. A great combination!

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
ESOL
General ESOL

This resource arose from a conversation with a learner who had lost their debit card a number of times in the cash machine because they couldn’t read the screen fast enough.

I used it by discussing each of the screens with learners and then having them work through the reading text and the accompanying exercises. Even better, if you have access to the internet, you can show different images of ATM screens and discuss them.

Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
Context
Independent living
Business & Money management

Simplified texts and DARTS activities with follow up writing tasks at E1 and E2.
Based on material from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website http://hmd.org.uk/
Prior to completing the reading and writing tasks the class listened to a podcast of a survivor talking about their experiences.The material from both the listening activity (http://hmd.org.uk/resources/podcasts/i-was-there)

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries