Functional Skills Level 1 English revision

Curriculum linksThis PPT covers many aspects of Level 1 Functional English. Please refer to the resource description page on skillsworkshop.org for detailed curriculum links and related resources.

May 2011. Kindly contributed by Charlotte Gustar, Northampton College. Search for Charlotte on www.skillsworkshop.org

This PPT refers to City and Guilds Functional Skills assessment but most aspects are applicable to all awarding bodies.

One of a set of three. Equivalent PPTs for L1 Functional Maths and L1 Functional ICT are also available.

Functional Skills Functional Skills EnglishEnglish

DomesticsDomestics

Please ensure all bags are kept Please ensure all bags are kept under the table and walkways under the table and walkways are kept clearare kept clear

Please keep all food and drink Please keep all food and drink awayaway

Please keep mp3 players & Please keep mp3 players & mobile phones switched offmobile phones switched off

What do you see?What do you see?

http://www.illusionspoint.com/scary-optical-illusions/

What do you know?What do you know?

Today’s lesson will be revision for Today’s lesson will be revision for your English exam.your English exam.

Look at the following words, Look at the following words, explainexplain what they are, and give what they are, and give an examplean example. .

You have 5 minutes!You have 5 minutes!

Word Definition and example

Noun Naming word.cheese table happiness

Verb Action, doing or being wordI was late. He believes me.

They danced all night.

Proper noun A specific naming word. Always starts with a capital letter.

January, Thames, Samira

Suffix Something you add to the end of a wordtake + ing = takingspot + ed = spottedjelly + s = jellies

Prefix A group of letters you add to the start of a word to change the meaning

dis + like = dislikeil + legal = illegal

Exclamation mark

Used to show emotion.Help!Wow!

Word TIP

Noun A common noun does not need a capital letter (unless it is at the start of a sentence).

Verb A verb must agree with the subject of a sentenceWe was were here yesterday. I done did it well.

Proper noun

Remember capital letters for: names of people, towns, cities, days of the week, months, rivers, addresses, countries, religions, clubs, titles.

Suffix Spelling changes are often needed when you add a suffix. Check your spelling carefully.

Prefix No spelling changes are needed when adding a prefix. Just add it to the front of the word.

mis + spelling = misspellingir + regular= irregular

Exclamation mark

Use sparingly and never use more than one at once.I don’t believe it!!! I don’t believe it!

Quick fire roundQuick fire round What are the characteristics of persuasive What are the characteristics of persuasive

text?text?

What must you include in a formal letter?What must you include in a formal letter?

What are the stages of planning and drafting?What are the stages of planning and drafting?

When should you use capital letters? Give When should you use capital letters? Give three examples.three examples.

Quick fire roundQuick fire round What are the characteristics of persuasive text?What are the characteristics of persuasive text?

Repetition, appealing adjectives, exclamation marks, Repetition, appealing adjectives, exclamation marks, rhetorical questions, snappy slogans, bold eye rhetorical questions, snappy slogans, bold eye catching titles.catching titles.

What must you include, when writing a formal letter?What must you include, when writing a formal letter?

Your address, their address, the date, correct Your address, their address, the date, correct salutations (To whom it may concern or Dear Sir or salutations (To whom it may concern or Dear Sir or Madam), introduction, conclusion, correct sign off Madam), introduction, conclusion, correct sign off (Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely)(Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely)

What are the stages of planning and drafting?What are the stages of planning and drafting?

Think about it, spider diagram / bullet points / list, Think about it, spider diagram / bullet points / list, notes, draft + final copynotes, draft + final copy

When should you use capital letters? Give three When should you use capital letters? Give three examples.examples.

At the start of a sentence. When using a proper noun. At the start of a sentence. When using a proper noun. For the personal pronoun I.For the personal pronoun I.

Top tips for the examTop tips for the exam

The next couple of slides show The next couple of slides show common errors made in common errors made in Functional English exams. Functional English exams. Be sure not to fall into the same Be sure not to fall into the same trap!trap!

Make revision notes to help you Make revision notes to help you remember.remember.

Students using personal information Students using personal information to answer questionsto answer questions

Impact = wrong answer = no marks Impact = wrong answer = no marks for that questionfor that question

Remedy = uRemedy = use the given text to se the given text to answer the questionsanswer the questions

Functional English – Reading L1 Functional English – Reading L1 Common error 1Common error 1

Not reading the question properlyNot reading the question properly E.g. If you do not want to leave your lodge in E.g. If you do not want to leave your lodge in

the evening, what do they provide for you to the evening, what do they provide for you to do? do? Don’t respond by referring to facilities available Don’t respond by referring to facilities available elsewhere on site (as this requires people to elsewhere on site (as this requires people to leave their lodges).leave their lodges).

Impact = wrong answer = no marks Impact = wrong answer = no marks gainedgained

Remedy = Remedy = R.T.Q (READ THE QUESTION).R.T.Q (READ THE QUESTION).

Functional English – Reading L1 Functional English – Reading L1 Common error 2Common error 2

Candidates need to ensure they Candidates need to ensure they understand:understand:the tone of languagethe tone of languagethe level of detail requiredthe level of detail requiredthat their writing needs to be in a that their writing needs to be in a logical orderlogical order

Functional English – Writing L1Functional English – Writing L1

Format and StructureFormat and Structure E.g. marks are often lost for incorrect format of a letter. E.g. marks are often lost for incorrect format of a letter.

A formal letter needs: sender’s address, recipient’s A formal letter needs: sender’s address, recipient’s address, a date, correct opening and appropriate address, a date, correct opening and appropriate closure / conclusion.closure / conclusion.

Impact = dropped marksImpact = dropped marks

Remedy = Use correct style and format for each Remedy = Use correct style and format for each task. Consider target audience, structure, and task. Consider target audience, structure, and format.format.

Functional English – Writing L1 Functional English – Writing L1 Common error 3Common error 3

Punctuation Punctuation Not knowing where one sentence begins and endsNot knowing where one sentence begins and endsLack of capital lettersLack of capital lettersUsing a small i for the personal pronoun IUsing a small i for the personal pronoun I

Impact = inaccurate work = wrong Impact = inaccurate work = wrong answeranswerRemedy = proof read your workRemedy = proof read your workCheck sentence structure and use Check sentence structure and use of capital lettersof capital letters

Functional English – Writing L1 Functional English – Writing L1 Common error 4Common error 4

Spelling, style and punctuationSpelling, style and punctuation Text spelling NOT acceptable!Text spelling NOT acceptable! Punctuation rules are not relaxed just Punctuation rules are not relaxed just

because a document is ‘informal’. because a document is ‘informal’. Correct use of capital letters is required, Correct use of capital letters is required,

even in an informal email.even in an informal email. Impact = inaccurate work = dropped Impact = inaccurate work = dropped

marksmarks

Remedy = Write in full sentences and Remedy = Write in full sentences and do not use abbreviationsdo not use abbreviations

Functional English – Writing L1 Functional English – Writing L1 Common error 5Common error 5

Level 1 Assessment Level 1 Assessment Guidance Notes Guidance Notes

Is it true that the assessment is Is it true that the assessment is in two parts?in two parts?YesYes1 hour for the reading1 hour for the reading1 hour for the writing1 hour for the writing

What should I have with me What should I have with me for the exam?for the exam?The exam invigilator will provide The exam invigilator will provide the following:the following:Exam paperExam paperDictionary Dictionary

NoteNoteYou may use a dictionaryYou may use a dictionaryYou will need to bring:You will need to bring:

college I.Dcollege I.D a pen with black or blue ink a pen with black or blue ink

How long before results are How long before results are issued?issued?

Results slips and certificates will Results slips and certificates will be issued to centres within 42 be issued to centres within 42 working days.working days.

Any questions?Any questions?

Now use your task sheetNow use your task sheet(not included with this PPT)(not included with this PPT)

The sheet outlines all the steps The sheet outlines all the steps necessary to complete the tasknecessary to complete the task

It incorporates all aspects of skills It incorporates all aspects of skills learnt over the past weekslearnt over the past weeks

Try to be as independent in the Try to be as independent in the task as possible – but staff are task as possible – but staff are here to help you if you need ithere to help you if you need it

You have 20 minutes…You have 20 minutes…