Functional SkillsEnglish

Functional Skills English

Functional skills in English are:

‘the core elements of English…that provide an individual with the essential knowledge, skills, understanding that will enable them to operate confidently effectively and independently in life and at

work.’

In plain English, Functional Skills are all about developing skills that will help you in all areas of life, whether that’s in education, in your social life

or in the world of work.

 

Functional Skills English

 

How can functional Skills help me in the world of work?

Employers are looking for people who can:

• communicate clearly• take and pass on messages• manage customers effectively• read and understand a wide range of documents• write fluently, accurately, using accepted business conventions of format, spelling, grammar and

punctuation

Functional Skills English (Level 1 and 2):

• Speaking, Listening and Communicating - 2 discussions (formal/ informal)

• Reading

• Writing

Aims & Objectives

Aim: To develop the learners knowledge and understanding of Speaking, Listening and Communicating Skills for Functional Skills.

Learning Outcomes:At the end of the sessions, the learners will be able to:- Demonstrate an understanding of why oral communication skills are

important- Explain the differences between a good speaker and a good listener- Indentify your own strengths and weaknesses- Describe non verbal means of communication and understand how body

language and vocal tone impact on our communication. - Identify the differences between facts and opinions

Functional Skills : Speaking & ListeningFunctional Skills : Speaking & Listening

The Importance of Being EloquentThe Importance of Being Eloquent

In this Functional Skills unit we will be working on our speaking and listening abilities and exploring the importance of oral communication in the modern world. Effective speaking and listening skills are considered one of the most valued skills by

employers.

Why are oral communication skills important?

Good Good communicaticommunicati

on skillson skills

Why speaking & Listening?Why speaking & Listening?

Write down as many ideas as you can.

Good Good communicaticommunicati

on skillson skills

Build relationship

s

Talk to a diverse range of people

explain things clearly

Be an effective

team player

Deal with customers effectively

Avoid conflicts

Why speaking & Listening?Why speaking & Listening?

Communication Competence

Feedback your ideas to the rest of the group.

•Listen carefully to the discussion and contribute some ideas of your own. •What skills or attributes do you have that make you a good communicator? •What could you do to improve?

Let’s think about what you need to be a good communicator.

In pairs jot down a few notes about:

• what makes a good speaker?• what makes a good listener?

It may help to think of someone who you consider to be a ‘good listener’ and then to explain why.

Skills description Agree Unsure Disagree

I am good at following instructions

I can speak clearly and confidently

I get on well with new people

I can vary my speech to engage different listeners

I can explain ideas effectively to others

I pay close attention when someone talks to me

I can listen to others’ opinions and build on them

In a discussion I know when it is appropriate to talk and when to listen

Before I talk I think about what I will say

I know how to disagree in a polite way

Complete this survey to assess your skills

Take a moment to reflect on the results and consider what your oral communication strengths and weaknesses are. Try to improve on your weaker areas as we work through the unit.

Effective Speaking and listening employs a wide range of skills. It involves:

• making relevant contributions to discussions•responding appropriately to others•being polite and ‘well mannered’

and being able to communicate clearly and in appropriate language to a diverse range of individuals in both formal and informal situations

Communication Breakdown

In this section, the aim is to introduce non verbal means of communicationand also to analyse how body language and vocal tone impact on our communication.

What do we mean by non-verbal communication?

Non verbal Non verbal communicaticommunicati

onon

Non Verbal CommunicationNon Verbal Communication

Write down as many ideas and/or examples as you can.

Why are oral communication skills important?

Non verbal Non verbal communicaticommunicati

onon

Facial expression

s

Non verbal communicationNon verbal communication

Body contact

postureHead, hand

and eye movements

gesturesProximity

Body Language

Only a small percentage of communication (7%) involves actual words, 55% of communication is visual (body language, eye contact).

The best communicators have effective body language: a strong presence that reflects confidence, competence, and charisma.

Actions speak louder than words, your posture, facial expressions and gestures can say an awful lot about how a person is feeling.

Look at the images below. What does the body language of each person reveal?

Vocal Tone

We said that only 7% of communication involves actual words and that a huge 55% of communication is visual, but that only makes up 62% of communication. So what makes up the rest?

The remaining 38% of communication is vocal (pitch, speed, volume, tone of voice). A person’s tone of voice carries as much, if not more, meaning than the words themselves and tone of voice plays a huge part when we are talking on the telephone and cannot see the other person.

The same word or phrase spoken in a different tone of voice can change its meaning entirely. In pairs try saying the following things in different vocal tones and consider how the meaning of the words and phrases change:

“That’s really exciting.”

“Can I help you?”

“I’m so happy for you.”

“Sarah.”

Remember that you are using these devices to affect the listener. Think about what you’re trying to do…

Affects

Using facts and opinions

What are facts and opinions?What are facts and opinions?

Fact: A fact is something that can be shown to be true and often there is

evidence to prove it.

For example: London is the capital city of England

Opinion: An opinion is a personal view about an issue.

For example: Paris is the world’s most beautiful city.

Are the following statements opinions or facts?

Fact and OpinionFact and Opinion

1. Testing on animals is wrong and should be banned.

2. The UK has a population of 60 million people.

3. Rome is a more romantic city than Venice.

Are the following statements opinions or facts?

Fact and OpinionFact and Opinion

1. Testing on animals is wrong and should be banned. Opinion

2. The UK has a population of 60 million people. Fact

3. Rome is a more romantic city than Venice. Opinion

Read the extract below. Highlight the facts in one colour and the opinions in another.

Fact and OpinionFact and Opinion

Manchester - The first modern city

In the 18th century Manchester was the cotton making capital of the world. The city was one of the breeding grounds of the industrial revolution and its entrepreneurs and industrial tycoons endowed it with museums, galleries, theatres and libraries as well as outstanding civic architecture.

A devastating IRA bomb in 1996 created the need for city centre regeneration resulting in a new, dramatic 21st century cityscape.

Manchester is an innovative music city producing influential groups such as Joy Division, The Smiths, Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses and Oasis.

Central Manchester has a population of about 440,000 in a Greater Metropolitan Area of more than 2 million.

Copy and complete the table below:

Fact and OpinionFact and Opinion

Fact or Opinion

Evidence Intended affect on audience

Fact Central Manchester has a population of about 440,000

The author uses specific facts and figures to convey detailed knowledge of the subject.

Opinion Manchester is an innovative music city

Fact

Opinion

Read the success criteria below. It will give you an idea of what you need to do to achieve a specific level for Speaking and Listening Functional Skills.

Functional Skills Speaking & Functional Skills Speaking & Listening Assessment CriteriaListening Assessment Criteria

Level 1

When listening, talking and discussing in familiar situations connected with education, training, work and social roles.

can you understand the main points of short explanations and listen for specific information?

can you follow instructions?

can you respond appropriately to comments and requests?

can you make contributions clearly, to be heard and understood?

Can you ask questions using appropriate terms and obtain specific information?

Read the success criteria below. It will give you an idea of what you need to do to achieve a level for Speaking and Listening Functional Skills.

Assessment CriteriaAssessment Criteria

Level 2

When listening, talking and discussing in familiar situations connected with education, training, work and social roles.

can you listen for and identify the main points of short explanations and instructions? (recognising impact of volume, gesture, repetition or summary confirming points)

can you speak clearly to be heard and understood? (pace delivery and register responses)

can you express simply your own feelings and opinions and understand those expressed by others? (understand body language and tone)

can you express clear statements of fact, short accounts and descriptions? (provide key information; report incidents or activities)

can you ask and respond to straightforward questions? (recognise when further clarity is required)

can you follow detailed discussions and make appropriate contributions? (understand the tempo of a discussion, body language and tone and when to intervene)

Read the success criteria. It will give you an idea of what you need to do to achieve a specific level for Speaking and Listening Functional Skills.

Assessment CriteriaAssessment Criteria

Level 2

In familiar formal and informal exchanges and discussions

can you use techniques to clarify and confirm understanding? (words of agreement, confirmation, rephrasing, non verbal signs, gestures etc.)

give your own point of view and listen to and respond appropriately to others’ P-O-V. (clear, audible contribution, appropriately paced, body language)

can you use formal and informal language as appropriate? (different responses/perceptions depending on the situation)

can you follow the more detailed points of a discussion and make relevant contributions, respecting others, turn-taking rights? (support fairness and balance representation in group participation.)

Any Questions?