English Functional Skills Levels 1 and 2 - Worthing College

English Functional
Skills
Level 1 and 2
Starting September 2015
Opportunity Achievement Success Progression
www.worthing.ac.uk

When do I start studying for
this qualification?
September 2015.
For how long will I study?
One year.
What is this course about?
The course will give you the skills
to use English in your life, work and
education. It is an alternative to GCSE
English. Functional Skills English
focuses more on how to use English in
everyday situations in the real world. It
is designed to show employers that you
have a firm grounding in basic English
language skills.
The course will focus on the main skills
areas of:
• Reading and understanding a
range of real world documents – eg:
reading a job description.
• Writing in correct English for a
range of purposes and audiences
– eg: writing an effective letter of
complaint.
• Speaking and listening skills – eg:
participating in a debate.
How will my work be
assessed?
There are assessment points through
the year, usually in November, March
and May.
Students who pass Level 1 are likely to
be considered for entry to the Level 2
exams in May.
Unit 1 Speaking and Listening:
assessed internally through classroom
activities.
Unit 2 Reading: assessed by 45minute
external exam.
Unit 3 Writing: assessed by 45 minute
external exam.
Are there any specific entry
requirements?
A minimum of grade F in GCSE English
or the equivalent.
What do students say about
this course?
‘I like that we are practising skills that I
can use in the real world.’
‘This is real English rather than just
Shakespeare.’

Is there a similar qualification
to this one? If so how do I
choose between them?
GCSE English is similar but has
different entry requirements.
If English is not your first language
we strongly recommend our ESOL
qualifications (English for Speakers
of Other Languages) or IELTS
qualifications (International English
Language Testing System).
We are happy to offer further advice.
Are there any other
qualifications which combine
particularly well with this one?
We would normally expect you to
combine English Functional Skills with
other Level 2 or 3 qualifications.
What do people do with English
Functional Skills?
Many employers and colleges require
you to have a minimum standard of
English and this course is respected as
an alternative to GCSE.
Students who pass Level 2 Functional
Skills English can progress on to take
GCSE English in the following year.

Correct at issue date. Please see www.worthing.ac.uk for updates.
Apply now on-line at www.worthing.ac.uk
T: 01903 275755
E: info@worthing.ac.uk
Issue 09.2014