English Functional Skills (Level 2)

What is the course about?

This course will develop all areas of your English: Reading, Writing and Speaking, Listening & Communicating. Each week, you will practise all three skill areas. You will take exams in all three at the end of the course.

In class, we will examine how ideas in different texts are presented, identify point of view and bias, and understand the use of tone and style. We will look at how to quickly identify the main points of texts and decide when we need to read for detail. You will use what you learn from your reading to develop your writing skills. We will look at how to structure and plan texts, and think about how audience and purpose affects our choice of language. We will look at grammar and punctuation and how to increase the accuracy of your writing. Each week, you will take part in formal discussions on various topics and, later on, you will work towards giving a presentation.

This course is in class and will take place at City Lit. However, you will need a computer (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer. You must be able to access Google Classroom as this is where all our class materials will be stored. You will also need to submit your homework each week to Google Classroom. We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

This course prepares you to pass the City & Guilds Functional Skills Level 2 English exam. The course covers Reading, Writing and Speaking, Listening & Communicating.

We will practise:

· communicating information, ideas and opinions clearly and effectively in both discussions and presentations
· expressing opinions and arguments with relevant and persuasive evidence in speech
· following spoken narratives and lines of argument
· responding effectively to detailed or extended questions and feedback
· adapting contributions to discussions to suit audience, purpose and medium
· comparing information, ideas and opinions in different texts, including how they are conveyed
· identifying implicit and inferred meaning in texts
· understanding organisational features and using them to locate relevant information in a range of straightforward and complex sources
· analysing texts of different levels of complexity
· identifying levels of formality and bias in texts
· following an argument, identifying different points of view and distinguishing fact from opinion in texts
· identifying different styles of writing and writer’s voice
· punctuating correctly using e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes and quotation marks
· using grammar effectively in your writing
· spelling words used in work, study and daily life, including a range of specialist words
· communicating information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively suitable for the audience and purpose e.g. emails, letters, articles, reports, comment pieces
· organising writing and using appropriate format and structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
· conveying clear meaning and establish cohesion in your writing
· using different language and register e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words), suited to audience and purpose.
· constructing complex sentences consistently and accurately
· using paragraphs appropriately.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

· Meet all of the above criteria to a consistently good standard.
· Pass the L2 English Functional Skills exam.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an accredited course for fluent speakers of English, with exams at the end. It is only for learners who want to do a Level 2 exam qualification. You need to come to class every week and have the time and commitment to work outside the classroom. You must pass an assessment after 6 weeks before moving to the next part of the course. If you are not ready for the exams, you will be advised about more suitable courses to join.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will:

· learn in a supportive and welcoming class environment with guidance from your tutor.
· work on your own, with other students in small groups and with the whole class.
· practise important life skills such as: problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiation, collaboration and independence.
· make progress step by step so you can build up to more challenging tasks.
· be given individual feedback so you understand your areas for development and how to improve.
· need to do homework and must be able to access Google Classroom to help you. Details of how to join will be sent to you before the course.
· complete three exams at the end of the course. The exams will take place at City Lit, Keeley Street. Please note: The Reading and Writing exams will be written on paper with pen. The Speaking, Listening & Communicating exam will be video recorded for the purposes of assessment.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a lined A4 writing pad, a pen and any other appropriate stationery, such as a folder and highlighter pens. Remember, your homework will need to be submitted to Google Classroom so you will need access to this via a computer and the internet.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are many courses you can do before, during or after this course. These include:
• English Functional Skills (level 1)
• Preparing for English Language GCSE
• English language GCSE
• Communication skills: develop your English for social media - podcasting (level 1-level 2)
• Communication skills: develop your English for social media - website writing (level 1-level 2)
• Develop your confidence in writing: sentences, grammar and punctuation in everyday writing (level 1-2)

You can also do classes in the maths and digital skills areas. Such as:
• Maths for life and work (level 1)
• Maths skills for life and work - getting ready for functional skills (foundation 1)
• Maths functional skills (level 1) and (level 2)
• Preparing for maths GCSE
• Maths foundation / Higher GCSE
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with numbers and calculations (level 1-2)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with shapes, space and measuring (level 1-2)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with algebra, problem-solving and equations (level 1-2)
• Becoming confident in digital skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (beginner)
• Essential digital skills for the workplace: Word, Excel and PowerPoint (foundation-level 1)
• Business administration: using Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access in the office (intermediate)
• Essential digital skills for work (Level 1)
• Award in Digital and IT Skills: word-processing, spreadsheets, presentations and databases (level 2).