Task 5: Explain ways to embed elements of Functional Skills in your specialist area.
My specialist area is in Modern Foreign Languages, (French and Spanish), which provides me with quite a lot of scope when planning sessions to incorporate Functional Skills:
Functional English:
Learners are required to listen to the pronunciation of words/ phrases in the foreign language, and repeat what they have heard. Correct pronunciation comes with practise, and one way of incorporating this into sessions is to encourage them to participate in role play activities.
To develop their linguistic skills further, learners need to be able to read and write in the foreign language. Other ways to incorporate this into sessions is through the use of course books and worksheets. Other resources include the OHP and the whiteboard/interactive whiteboard, giving them the opportunity to read and respond.
Functional ICT:
ICT and MFL go well together and can be used to consolidate learning. Depending on resources available, learners can log on to specialist language websites such as www.linguascope.com .This website provides learners with the opportunity to test what they have learnt in a fun way through online games and quizzes, and would be useful for the 14-16 year old. There are also lots of other websites available specifically for adult learners of MFL.
Functional Maths:
When teaching a topic on food/ drink, learners could be asked to go internet shopping. This would embed functional maths using money. Another activity would be asking learners to write out their favourite recipe. This would include weights, measures and timings, not forgetting the use of the 24 hour clock, which the Europeans seem to favour over the 12 hour one.
Word count: 263
References:
http//www.linguascope.com (accessed 24/03/10)