Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating

‘Speaking, listening and communicating’ within Functional Skills English qualifications is non-written communication, normally conducted face-to-face, and can also include ‘virtual’ communication methods such as telephone or spoken web-based technologies. The terms ‘speaking, listening and communicating’ are intended to be interpreted in a broad, inclusive way and are not intended to create any unnecessary barriers to students with speech or hearing impairment.
 

A poem on the theme of neighbourhoods.  Can be used as a reading and pronunciation exercise or may be extended to include a discussion around housing, traffic, local communities or recycling.

Editor's notes

Super for many levels and situations - includes suggested questions and discussion prompts.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Poetry
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
FE READING and understanding words
ESOL
ESOL Speak clearly & with appropriate register
ESOL: Follow/participate in exchanges or discussions
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL Trace and understand main events of a text
ESOL Rw/E2.3a Use context & range of phonic / graphic knowledge to decode words
ESOL Rw/E3.1a Recognise and understand relevant specialist key words
ESOL Rw/E3.3a Use a dictionary to find the meaning of unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L1.1a Use reference material to find the meaning of unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L1.3a Recognise and understand an increasing range of vocabulary
ESOL Rw/L2.2a Use reference material to find the meanings of unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L2.3a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different text types
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport
Family and relationships

A worksheet to help  learners prepare for the Speaking and Listening exams, which specifically focuses on ways to reduce anxiety about speaking in public. The worksheet includes embedded YouTube video links which learners watch and make notes from. This was made for L1 and L2 learners but can be adapted for other levels. 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
FE SL&C Communicate information, ideas & opinions
Context
Mental health, awareness & psychology

Updated May 26 (new images & formatting): A PPT session that introduces learners to the Level 1 and 2 Functional Skills SL&C assessments and provides some small group tasks and brainstorms. Aimed at adult learners and linked to employability.

Editor's note

Easily adapted for any Awarding Organisation and any discussion topic.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating

Two PowerPoint resources for discussion that can feed into Level 1 or 2 Functional Skills for English, Speaking & Listening.

Editor’s note
Also covers research, reading and writing. Great for prompting discussion among 14-19 year olds.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Use appropriate language and strategies
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

This resource has a range of activities to help students learn useful expressions/ language to make a complaint.
It is useful in building confidence in making complaints in person and on the telephone.

Editor’s note
Includes sample dialogue with questions (can also be used as a reading comprehension), matching cards, sammple scenarios, curriculum mapping and teaching notes.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Adult Literacy: Speaking & Listening
ESOL
ESOL Sc/E3.4d Give an explanation
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact 
ESOL Sc/E2.3d Give an explanation
ESOL Sc/E2.2a make requests: ask for things or action
ESOL Lr/E3.2b Listen for detail face to face or on the phone
ESOL Lr/E2.2a Listen for detail
ESOL Listen and respond (Lr)
ESOL Speak to communicate (Sc)
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service

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

Aimed at Hairdressing students working towards Functional English at E3 and L1, this helps with the S&L section in a vocational context.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Context
Hairdressing & Beauty therapy

I have created this lesson to try and cover the main criteria laid out by C&G for the Speaking and Listening English Functional Skills, Level 2 internally set assessment (activity 2 – presentation).

I trialled it with my learners as a ‘practise’ presentation before their final assessment. In the future I hope to use it as an official internal assessment, once I have received official feedback from the awarding body external verifier, learners, other tutors, etc.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Reading, writing and discussion tasks based on an email about a charity event. Discuss the email with a friend, design a poster, complete compound sentences, and answer a wide range of reading questions. Its wide appeal makes it ideal for mixed ability Entry groups.
With detailed E1-E2 Functional English curriculum mapping.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community

Set of listening actvities ideal for, and fully mapped to, Entry 1 and 2 Functional English learners.
Based on two everyday listening events

  • A radio advertisement for a local estate agent
  • An airport tannoy announcement
    Each provides practice listening for gist and detail in short explanations & instructions.

Each activity includes.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
English
SLlr/E2.3
SLlr/E2.2
SLlr/E1.3
SLlr/E1.2
SLlr/E1.1
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism