Midlands Functional Skills Resources reports rise in demand for speaking and listening support

Midlands 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.”