Functional Skills

The course covers all official Level 2 competencies across Speaking, Listening & Communication, Reading, and Writing, including:

1. Speaking, Listening & Communication

Learners will develop strong verbal communication skills by learning to:

• Identify key information from extended explanations or presentations.

• Follow detailed narratives and lines of argument (new Level 2 requirement).

• Respond confidently to extended or detailed questions and feedback.

• Ask clear, detailed, and relevant questions in different contexts.

• Communicate ideas clearly, effectively, and with appropriate detail.

• Express opinions and arguments supported with evidence.

• Use language that is accurate and appropriate to the situation.

• Adapt communication style for audience, purpose, or medium.

• Contribute constructively to group discussions.

• Redirect or guide discussion using suitable language and register.

2. Reading

Learners will improve reading comprehension and interpretation by learning to:

• Understand whether main points or specific details are required.

• Compare ideas, opinions, and information across different texts.

• Identify implicit meaning, inference, bias, and point of view.

• Analyse how textual features and language shape meaning.

• Use reference materials (glossaries, legends, keys) to find meanings.

• Locate information using organisational features in complex texts.

• Analyse vocabulary choice, formality, tone, and bias.

• Follow arguments and distinguish facts from opinions.

• Recognise different writing styles and writer’s voice.

3. Writing

Learners will develop effective writing skills for work, study, and daily communication, including:

• Correct punctuation using colons, commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, and more.

• Accurate grammar, including verb agreement, tense consistency, articles, and modality (e.g., “might”, “should”, “must”).

• Clear and effective written communication of information, ideas, and opinions.

• Writing with appropriate detail, tone, and structure for purpose and audience.

• Using suitable formats such as paragraphs, bullet points, templates, and tables.

• Constructing complex sentences and organising writing logically.

• Spelling everyday and specialist vocabulary correctly.