Marvin OnumonuMidlands Functional Skills Resources creators have seen a sharp rise in student demand for speaking and listening support as students struggle with discussion skills since Covid.
Nottingham-based Pete Middleton (pictured, right) and Lyn Calver (pictured, left), who create and supply resources to UK learners on functional skills qualifications, reported a significant increase in requests for help with the speaking and listening elements of the test.
Calver said: “We are seeing more young people now who are struggling to articulate themselves.
“You ask them a question and every answer is, ‘I don’t know’. I think the divide between those who can and can’t articulate themselves is growing wider.”
The Functional Skills Resources site run by Middleton and Calver contains guides for tutors helping learners take part in discussions.
Calver added: “The discussion part of the functional skills qualification is quite a test and it’s not something that people sitting GCSEs need to do.
“To pass, you need to not sit quietly for the discussion and let others talk, which is all too easy to do if you’re a bit shy and not great at talking.
“You are required to take part and listen to other people’s points of view, while not dominating either.”
She said: “You are also assessed on your ability to successfully interject – not necessarily an easy skill even for people who aren’t trying to pass their functional skills test!
“Our resources are designed to help tutors prepare students for this and we have seen a big surge in demand for them.
“We guide you through how to prepare learners, offering prompts and other tips to help people pass the test.”
She added: “It’s important that students prepare for the discussion in advance so they have clearly done some research.
“It’s also key that they are polite, so we have included some suggestions to help reinforce the need for respectful participation.
“There are other ways that learners can present themselves well. We give guidance for tutors to help them prepare students in things like how their body language lets people know they are listening carefully.”
She said: “Making eye contact, nodding to show you’ve understood – these are all key skills that we need to equip people in.
“Covid has had a big impact on young people in ways that are perhaps still being understood.
“Conversing and presenting ourselves is just one of those and at functional skills resources we aim to help tutors support young people in gaining these skills that were significantly affected during lockdown.”
