Functional Skills in English Level 1

Functional Skills in English Level 1

Qualification Type & Title:

• Qualification Type: Functional skills
• Qualification Title: Functional Skills qualification in English at Level 1

Accreditation status:

• Accredited

Qualification number: 500/8700/9

Eligible for funding in England for:

• Pre-16, 16-18, 19+

Availability:

• Available in England only

Guided Learning Hours:

• 45 Hours

(Assessment summary: Speaking, listening and communication is internally assessed. Reading and writing are externally assessed.)

What are Functional Skills?

Functional Skills are practical skills in English, Maths and I.C.T that help learners gain the most out of work, education and everyday life. They have been introduced to address government and employers’ concerns over current standards in basic literacy and numeracy for learners of all ages. Functional Skills are a constituent of all 14–19 learning programmes. These qualifications are also for adults, whether they are in work, in training or preparing for work. They are not just about acquiring the basic skills of reading, writing, arithmetic and using a computer, but are an essential stepping stone towards the higher goal of functionality and as part of the Apprenticeship. They can also be used as a foundation for GCSEs. Entry Level English, Maths and I.C.T and Levels 1 and 2 English Speaking, Listening and Communication (SLC) are internally assessed and OCR-moderated qualifications which can be taken at any time during the year. Levels 1 and 2 English Reading and Writing, Maths and I.C.T are externally assessed by OCR set and marked tests that can be taken at any time during the year. Following your feedback, we now offer both on-screen and paper-based tests for each qualification.

Qualification objectives:

The aims of these qualifications are to develop learner understanding and skills in:

• Speaking, Listening and Communication – take full part in formal and informal discussions and exchanges that include unfamiliar subjects.
• Reading – read and understand a range of straightforward texts. • Writing – write a range of texts to communicate information, ideas and opinions using formats and styles suitable for their purpose and audience.

English tests (Reading and Writing)
Test duration
• At Level 1, 50 minutes for Reading and 50 minutes for Writing.
• At Level 2, 55 minutes for Reading and 55 minutes for Writing.
Format of the English test papers
• Reading tests – Assessments are provided as a combined task, resource and answer booklet. There are no longer separate question papers, resource booklets and answer booklets. The resource documents are perforated along the left-hand side of the task, resource and answer booklet.
• Level 1 – Candidates can remove the two resource documents by folding page 5 and page 7 along the perforated strip before removing them from the task, resource and answer booklet.
• Level 2 – Candidates can remove the three resource documents by folding page 5, page 7 and page 9 along the perforated strip before removing them from the task, resource and answer booklet

Writing tests – Assessments are provided as a combined task and answer booklet. There are no longer separate question papers and answer booklets. There are no perforated pages in Writing assessments.
Reading and Writing tests consist of scenario-based questions and take place under examined conditions as per the OCR Instructions.

Resources permitted for candidates in the examination room
• A pen with black ink or access to a computer and printer to print out their responses, which must be firmly attached to the answer booklet.
• For the Reading and Writing tests, candidates may use a dictionary and spell/grammar check facilities.

Internal Assessment of Speaking, Listening and Communication components
The Speaking, Listening and Communication component of this qualification is designed around the principle that candidates will build evidence towards the achievement of a level within a prescribed
In order for candidates to be able to effectively progress tow