INTRODUCTORY CLASS

Functional English is usage of the English language required to perform a specific function. This is typically taught as a foundation subject when a good command of English is required for academic study and career progression.

Functional English provide the essential knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable the user to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work.

Functional skills are the essential elements of English that help people to develop higher levels of practical skill, which they can apply to real life contexts. Rather than being taught as separate curriculum subjects, functional skills are applied to the teaching and learning in embedded way.

The main components of functional English are listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The recent Confederation of British Industry (CBI) report (Working on the three Rs, August 2006) states that employers are looking for people who can: articulate clearly, take and pass on messages, deal with customers effectively, read, understand and follow a wide range of documents, write fluently and accurately, using accepted business conventions of format, spelling, grammar and punctuation. In a nut shell it is nothing but the acquisition of language skills to interact in the given situation. Helping learners to become functional with English means helping them to:

• choose appropriate communication methods
• ensure their communication methods are fit for purpose
• communicate in ways that meet the needs of the audience and situation
• apply English skills in a range of meaningful contexts
• become increasingly independent in their learning.