Speaking and listening – speaking and listening in a conversation — City & Guilds Limited Digital Functional Skills Qualification Foundations for Learning Revision

    This topic assesses the ability to take part in a conversation by speaking and listening effectively at Entry Level 2.

    Topic Synopsis

    This topic assesses the ability to take part in a conversation by speaking and listening effectively at Entry Level 2.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Speaking and listening – speaking and listening in a conversation

    CITY & GUILDS LIMITED
    vocational

    This topic assesses the ability to take part in a conversation by speaking and listening effectively at Entry Level 2.

    1
    Learning Outcomes
    3
    Assessment Guidance
    3
    Key Skills
    1
    Key Terms
    4
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    City & Guilds Entry Level Award In English Skills - Speaking and Listening (Entry 2)

    Topic Overview

    The City & Guilds Entry Level Award in English Skills – Speaking and Listening (Entry 2) is designed to help you develop the communication skills you need in everyday life, at work, and in further study. At Entry 2, you will build on basic speaking and listening abilities, focusing on communicating clearly in familiar situations. This includes taking part in simple discussions, giving short presentations, and following instructions. Mastering these skills is essential for building confidence in social interactions and preparing for the next level of English qualifications.

    This qualification is part of the Foundations for Learning suite, which supports learners who are building essential skills for progression. Speaking and Listening at Entry 2 is particularly important because it forms the foundation for effective communication in all areas of life. You will learn how to express your ideas clearly, listen carefully to others, and respond appropriately. These skills are not only assessed in your exam but are also vital for success in other subjects, future employment, and everyday situations like asking for help or sharing information.

    By the end of this unit, you should be able to speak clearly in simple sentences, ask and answer questions, and follow short spoken instructions. You will also practise turn-taking in conversations and discussions, showing that you can listen to others and build on what they say. This qualification is assessed through a portfolio of evidence, so you will have opportunities to demonstrate your skills in real-life contexts, such as role-plays, group discussions, or giving a short talk about a familiar topic.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Speaking clearly: Use clear pronunciation and simple sentences so others can understand you easily. Avoid mumbling or speaking too quickly.
    • →Listening for information: Pay attention to what others say, and show you understand by nodding, asking relevant questions, or repeating key points.
    • →Taking turns in conversation: Wait for others to finish speaking before you start. Use phrases like 'Can I add something?' or 'What do you think?' to keep the discussion flowing.
    • →Following instructions: Listen carefully to a sequence of two or three simple instructions and carry them out correctly. For example, 'First, write your name. Then, underline it.'
    • →Asking and answering questions: Formulate simple questions to get information (e.g., 'What time does the bus leave?') and give clear answers (e.g., 'It leaves at 3 o'clock.').

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Be able to take part in conversation by speaking and listening

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Speak clearly and audibly.
    • Listen and respond appropriately to others.
    • Take turns in conversation.
    • Stay on topic and contribute relevantly.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Practice with a partner to build confidence.
    • 💡Use open-ended questions to keep conversation flowing.
    • 💡Nod and use eye contact to show listening.
    • 💡Tip 1: Use the P.E.E. structure (Point, Evidence, Explain) when giving a short talk. For example, 'My favourite hobby is reading (Point). I read every day before bed (Evidence). It helps me relax and learn new things (Explain).' This keeps your talk organised.
    • 💡Tip 2: In group discussions, show you are listening by referring to what someone else said. For example, 'I agree with Sarah that recycling is important, and I also think we should reduce plastic use.' This demonstrates active listening and earns marks.
    • 💡Tip 3: Practise following instructions with a friend. Ask them to give you two or three simple tasks (e.g., 'Pick up the blue pen, put it on the table, and then open your book.') and try to complete them without asking for repetition. This builds confidence for the assessment.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Speaking too quietly or too fast.
    • Interrupting others.
    • Going off-topic or not responding to questions.
    • Misconception: Speaking loudly means speaking clearly. Correction: Speaking clearly is about pronunciation and pace, not volume. You can speak softly but still be clear if you articulate words well.
    • Misconception: Listening is just being quiet while someone else talks. Correction: Active listening involves showing you understand, for example by nodding, making eye contact, or asking a follow-up question. It's not just being silent.
    • Misconception: You should never interrupt, even if you have something important to say. Correction: While interrupting is generally rude, it's okay to politely interject if you need to clarify something or if the conversation has paused. Use phrases like 'Sorry, can I just check...'

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Entry Level 1 Speaking and Listening skills: You should be able to communicate basic needs, understand simple instructions, and respond to simple questions.
    • •Basic vocabulary and sentence structure: Knowing common words and being able to form simple sentences (e.g., 'I like...', 'Can I...?') will help you progress.
    • •Familiarity with everyday topics: Being able to talk about familiar subjects like your hobbies, family, or daily routine will make discussions easier.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Be able to take part in conversation by speaking and listening

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