KEY SKILLS COMMUNICATION/LITERACY STUDENT INFORMATION

WHAT ARE KEY SKILLS?  The main key skills are made up of:  ICT  Numeracy  Communication/Literacy  We will be working with Level 1 and 2 Communication.  The Key Skills Qualification is designed to fit in with your course of study.  The Key Skills needed within the qualification of Communication at L1 and L2 are:  Contributing to discussions  Giving short talks  Reading and obtaining information  Summarising information  Producing written documents  Creating visual documentation

Do you need Key Skills in your learning?:  They can help you to improve your written work so that you are able to achieve better results.  Employers want applicants with good Literacy Skills (able to spell, use punctuation correctly, write different styles of documents, give a short talk, take part in discussions).  You receive a nationally recognised qualification in Key Skills/Adult Literacy.

STRUCTURE OF THE KEY SKILLS QUALIFICATION  The Key Skills Qualification breakdown:  What you need to know: demonstrate and also further develop your own learning and literacy skills.  What you need to do: demonstrate speaking, listening, reading and writing skills at a competent level for your main programme.  Guidance: on task activities that will help you generate Key Skills evidence for a portfolio.

Identify from diagnostic assessment  The first important step is to identify what it is you may need to review and revise. This is achieved by the use of diagnostic assessment.  It is a process to help you identify what you can do already and to help you set realistic targets for your learning.  Some sessions will incorporate aspects of Grammar/Punctuation identified from diagnostic assessment.

ATTENDANCE AT KEYSKILLS SESSIONS  You may be working towards First or National Diplomas. You could be studying for an NVQ or on a Modern Apprenticeship Scheme.  Key Skills development will be through attending timetabled Key Skills sessions.  Key Skills will be part of your group tutorial programme.  You will develop a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your competence, using a set of standards which explain the requirements.  Your evidence will be assessed and you will also sit a test under examination conditions.

EXEMPTIONS FROM KEY SKILLS TESTS  Tests: - Level 2 only  If you have a GCSE Grade C or above in English Language/Literature, you are exempt from the test.  If you wish to complete at L3 you will need to speak with your key skills tutor and may be asked to sit a L3 written mock exam.

Review Key Skills- (Summative Assessment)  Reviewing is a continuous process.  You can discuss your learning and Key Skills experiences.  Identify when and how your Key Skills competence can be demonstrated and assessed.  Expressing your own views and opinions.  Reviews should be a two-way process and it is as important for you to say how you feel you are progressing as it is for your tutor to tell you.

 Saving files. File Management.  Using the Internet – Researching (Searching for Information)  Mind Mapping – Introduce Mind genius  Discussion Task (Mind map, Word document, Research).  Taking part in a discussion.  Assessed Group Discussions

 Skim and scan and/or Summarising for Level 1  Give a short talk (preparing and presenting Individual Presentations) – Level 2  Mini Literacy Test – L1  Workshop – Review of Literacy Test (activities covered so far)  Reading and Summarising Information – L2  Review of Short Talk and Creating a PowerPoint Presentation – L2