The Skillsfirst Level 2 Functional Skills Qualification in English gives learners the opportunity to demonstrate the ability at an appropriate level to read, write, speak, listen and communicate in English, and to apply these skills effectively to a range of purposes in the workplace and in other real-life situations.
With a focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar, the qualifications has also been designed to enable learners to:
Achievement of these qualifications will allow learners to develop the knowlegde and skills to be able to communicate with confidence, effectiveness and with an increasing level of independence.
To achieve the Skillsfirst Level 2 Functional Skills Qualification in English learners must successfully pass three mandatory units:
The three units can be achieved separately, over time.
The unit results can be carried forward between awarding organisations, provided that sufficient evidence of achievement is submitted to Skillsfirst when making the request. For further information and guidance, please refer to the qualification handbook.
Certification will take place once all three units have been achieved at the same level.
Qualification structure
Skillsfirst qualification number |
Qualification title |
Ofqual qualification reference |
RFSE2 |
Skillsfirst Level 2 Functional Skills Qualification in English |
603/4606/1 |
Ofqual unit number |
Skillsfirst unit number |
Unit title |
GLH |
K/617/2342 |
RSLC2 |
Functional Skills Speaking, Listening and Communicating Level 2 |
15 |
M/617/2344 | - | Functional Skills Reading Level 2 | 20 |
T/617/2345 | - | Functional Skills Writing Level 2 | 20 |
The total qualification time (TQT) for Skillsfirst Level 2 Functional Skills Qualification in English is 60 hours.
The minimum guided learning hours (GLH) are 55.
There has been a change to the definition of a Speaking, Listening and Communicating assessment. The legacy definition was:
Speaking, listening and communication within Functional Skills qualifications are defined as non-written communication, normally conducted face-to-face.
The "new definition" is as follows:
Speaking, listening and communicating within Functional Skills English qualifications is non-written communication, normally conducted face-to-face and can also include virtual communication methods such as telephone or spoken web-based technologies.
Crucially, this new definition allows the use of remote video-chat technology such as video-phoning, video-conferencing, Skype, etc. We know many of our centres will welcome this change!
The Skillsfirst approach to speaking, listening and communicating will be to develop assessments that have:
There has been a change to the definition of the Reading component. The "current definition" is:
The independent decoding and understanding of written language and text in a purposeful context. 'Text' is defined as materials that include the use of words that are written, printed, on screen or presented using Braille.
The "new definition" is as follows:
The independent understanding of written language in specific contexts. This can be demonstrated through the use of texts on screen or on paper.
The Skillsfirst approach to this will be to develop examinations that have:
With regard to the writing component, the "current definition" reads as follows:
The independent construction of written text to communicate in a purposeful context. 'Text' is defined as materials that include the use of words that are written, printed, on screen or presented using Braille.
The "new definition" is as follows:
Write texts of varying complexity, with accuracy, effectiveness and correct spelling, punctuation and grammar and understand the situations when, and audiences for which, planning, drafting and using formal language are important and when they are less important.
These changes mean that learners will need to:
The Skillsfirst approach to this will be to develop examinations that have: