Communication Level 1: Key Skills
Communication Level 1: Key Skills
Communication
Level 1
The key skills are the skills which are most commonly needed to succeed in
a range of activities – at work, in education and training and in everyday
life. In developing the key skill of communication, you will learn to use and
adapt your communication skills confidently and effectively in a range of
settings and contexts.
Progression
The key skills qualifications are designed to enable you to progress at your
own pace. They build on the adult literacy standards, which provide further
detail of the skills needed to achieve the communication key skill at levels 1
and 2. Each level of the key skill above level 1 incorporates and builds on
the previous ones. The key skills qualifications not only recognise your
current capabilities, they also require you to identify how you can further
improve your skills to meet new demands at higher levels.
Part A Part B
YOU NEED TO YOU MUST
KNOW HOW TO
This section builds on Part A and
This section tells you about the describes the application of skills. It
techniques and knowledge associated describes the skills you must show. All
with each key skill. It tells you what you your work for this section will be
need to learn and practise to feel assessed. You must have evidence that
confident about applying communication you can do all the things listed in the
skills in your studies, work or other bullet points.
aspects of your life.
Communication: level 1
Part
YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO:
Discuss
쏋
쏋
A
prepare for the discussion so that you can say things that are relevant
judge when to speak and how much to say
say things that suit the purpose of the discussion
speak clearly in ways that suit the situation
listen carefully and respond appropriately to what others say
use body language to support what you are saying and to show you are listening.
Write documents
쏋 use different formats for presenting information, including business letters, memos, forms and short reports
쏋 judge the relevance of information and the amount of detail to include for your purpose
쏋 use relevant images to help the reader understand your main points
쏋 proof-read and where necessary, re-draft your documents so that:
– words you use most often in your work or studies and daily life are spelled correctly
– sentences are formed correctly with consistent use of tense and accurate subject-verb agreement such as
‘she was’ and ‘we were’
– sentences are marked by capital letters, full stops and question marks
– your writing is organised into paragraphs where appropriate
– your meaning is clear.
Communication: level 1
Part
C1.1
C1.2
C1.3
Write two different types of 1.3.1 present relevant information in a format that suits
documents. your purpose
쏋 Use at least one image, either to obtain information, or to convey information in your discussion or one
of the documents you write to help the audience/reader understand the points you are making.
Communication: level 1
EXAMPLES AND GUIDANCE
The following gives further guidance and examples of the
techniques and knowledge in Part A.
DISCUSSION:
쏋 to describe events, express opinions and develop ideas using language that everyone can
understand, adapting your tone of voice, expression and manner to suit the formality of
the situation.
WRITE:
쏋 to complete forms and produce documents such as business letters, memos, notes, short
reports or essays
쏋 to give or obtain facts, opinions and ideas.
For further examples and guidance on the key skills standards please refer to The key skills
qualifications standards and guidance (order ref: QCA/04/1272). The adult literacy standards
also provide help and guidance for preparing candidates for the communication key skill at
levels 1 and 2.
Communication: level 1
KEY SKILLS
Communication
Level 2
The key skills are the skills which are most commonly needed to succeed in
a range of activities – at work, in education and training and in everyday
life. In developing the key skill of communication, you will learn to use and
adapt your communication skills confidently and effectively in a range of
settings and contexts.
Progression
The key skills qualifications are designed to enable you to progress at your
own pace. They build on adult literacy standards, which provide further
detail of the skills needed to achieve the communication key skill at levels 1
and 2. Each level of the key skill above level 1 incorporates and builds on
the previous ones. The key skills qualifications not only recognise your
current capabilities, they also require you to identify how you can further
improve your skills to meet new demands at higher levels.
Part A Part B
YOU NEED TO YOU MUST
KNOW HOW TO
This section builds on Part A and
This section tells you about the describes the application of skills. It
techniques and knowledge associated describes the skills you must show. All
with each key skill. It tells you what you your work for this section will be
need to learn and practise to feel assessed. You must have evidence that
confident about applying communication you can do all the things listed in the
skills in your studies, work or other bullet points.
aspects of your life.
Communication: level 2
Part
YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO:
Discuss
쏋
쏋
A
use varied vocabulary and expressions to suit your purpose
adapt what you say to suit different situations
listen carefully to what others say
identify the speaker’s intentions
move the discussion forward.
Write documents
쏋 use different formats for presenting information, including essays, reports and articles
쏋 structure your writing to help readers follow and understand your main points
쏋 use different styles of writing to suit different purposes
쏋 proof-read and where necessary re-draft your documents so that:
– spelling is accurate including familiar technical words
– sentences are formed correctly with accurate use of conjunctions
– punctuation is accurate including use of commas, apostrophes and inverted commas.
Communication: level 2
Part
C2.1a
C2.1b
2.1a.2
2.1a.3
2.1b.1
2.1b.2
make clear and relevant contributions in a way
that suits your purpose and situation
C2.2
Read and summarise information from 2.2.1 select and read relevant documents
at least two documents about the 2.2.2 identify accurately the main points, ideas and lines
same subject. Each document must of reasoning
be a minimum of 500 words long. 2.2.3 summarise the information to suit your purpose.
C2.3
Write two different types of documents 2.3.1 present relevant information in a format that suits
each one giving different information. your purpose
쏋 Use at least one image either to obtain information or to convey information in your discussion, your talk or
one of the documents you write in order to help the audience/reader understand the points you are making.
Communication: level 2
EXAMPLES AND GUIDANCE
The following gives further guidance and examples of the
techniques and knowledge in Part A.
DISCUSSION:
쏋 to present an argument, express ideas or opinions and exchange information judging
effectively the amount to say and using a manner and tone of voice to suit the situation
쏋 to summarise, develop points and to focus on purpose.
WRITE:
쏋 to produce documents such as letters, memos and extended essays or reports
쏋 using paragraphs, headings and sub-headings to structure material.
For further examples and guidance on the key skills standards please refer to The key skills
qualifications standards and guidance (order ref: QCA/04/1272). The adult literacy standards
also provide help and guidance for preparing candidates for the communication key skill at
levels 1 and 2.
Communication: level 2
KEY SKILLS
Communication
Level 3
The key skills are the skills which are most commonly needed to succeed in
a range of activities – at work, in education and training and in everyday
life. In developing the key skill of communication, you will learn to use and
adapt your communication skills confidently and effectively in a range of
settings and contexts.
Progression
The key skills qualifications are designed to enable you to progress at your
own pace. Each level of the key skill above level 1 incorporates and builds
on the previous ones. The key skills qualifications not only recognise your
current capabilities, they also require you to identify how you can further
improve your skills to meet new demands at higher levels.
Part A Part B
YOU NEED TO YOU MUST
KNOW HOW TO
This section builds on Part A and
This section tells you about the describes the application of skills. It
techniques and knowledge associated describes the skills you must show. All
with each key skill. It tells you what you your work for this section will be
need to learn and practise to feel assessed. You must have evidence that
confident about applying communication you can do all the things listed in the
skills in your studies, work or other bullet points.
aspects of your life.
Communication: level 3
Part
YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO:
Discuss
쏋
쏋
A
develop points and ideas, with an awareness of others’ feelings, beliefs and opinions
encourage others to contribute.
Make a presentation
prepare a formal presentation to suit your purpose
match your language and style to suit the complexity of the subject, the formality of the situation and the
needs of the audience
structure what you say to progress logically through each stage of your presentation
use a variety of techniques to engage the audience, including images.
Write documents
쏋 select appropriate formats for presenting information including essays, reports and articles
쏋 select and use an appropriate style and tone to suit your audience, the degree of formality required and the
nature of the subject
쏋 organise material coherently to suit the length, complexity and purpose of your document
쏋 proof-read and where necessary re-draft your documents so that spelling, punctuation and grammar are
accurate.
Communication: level 3
Part
C3.1a
C3.1b
3.1a.2
3.1a.3
3.1b.1
3.1b.2
make clear and relevant contributions in a way
that suits your purpose and situation
Read and synthesise information 3.2.1 select and read relevant documents
from at least two documents 3.2.2 identify accurately, and compare, the main points,
about the same subject. ideas and lines of reasoning
Each document must be a minimum of 3.2.3 present your own interpretation of the subject in a
1,000 words long. way that is coherent and brings together
information from different documents to suit your
purpose.
C3.3
Write two different types of documents, 3.3.1 select and use a format and style of writing that is
each one giving different information appropriate to your purpose and the complexity of
the subject matter
about complex subjects.
3.3.2 organise material coherently to suit the length,
One document must be at
complexity and purpose of your document
least 1,000 words long.
3.3.3 spell, punctuate and use grammar accurately
쏋 In addition to the image used in 3.1b.3, use at least one image either to obtain information or to convey
information in one of the documents you write.
Communication: level 3
EXAMPLES AND GUIDANCE
The following gives further guidance and examples of the
techniques and knowledge in Part A.
MAKE A PRESENTATION:
쏋 to present an argument in a debate, findings from an investigation or outcomes from a
project
쏋 confidently and with precise use of vocabulary
쏋 using a variety of techniques to help your audience understand what you are saying (eg
giving examples to illustrate complex points, relating what is said to audience experience,
varying tone of voice, using images, such as charts, pictures and models to illustrate
points).
READ AND SYNTHESISE INFORMATION:
쏋 to develop understanding about a subject and to obtain evidence, opinions and ideas
쏋 to identify the writer’s intentions by the way meaning and information is conveyed.
DISCUSS:
쏋 to present a complicated line of reasoning or argument, to explain events and express
opinions and ideas adapting your contributions to suit the formality and nature of the
discussion, acknowledging gender and cultural aspects and the feelings of others.
WRITE:
쏋 extended essays and reports, to present arguments, ideas, complicated lines of reasoning
or a series of events
쏋 organising information using paragraphs, headings, subheadings, indentation and
highlighting, and linking information and ideas using words such as however and
therefore
쏋 using vocabulary, sentence structures and tone that suit the intended readers and the
complexity or sensitivity of the subject.
For further examples and guidance on the key skills standards please refer to The key skills
qualifications standards and guidance (order ref QCA/04/1271).
Communication: level 3
KEY SKILLS
Communication
Level 4
The key skills are the skills which are most commonly needed to succeed in
a range of activities – at work, in education and training and in everyday
life. In developing the key skill of communication, you will learn to use and
adapt your communication skills confidently and effectively in a range of
settings and contexts.
Progression
The key skills qualifications are designed to enable you to progress at your
own pace. Each level of the key skill above level 1 incorporates and builds
on the previous ones. The key skills qualifications not only recognise your
current capabilities, they also require you to identify how you can further
improve your skills to meet new demands at higher levels.
Part A Part B
YOU NEED TO YOU MUST
KNOW HOW TO
This section builds on Part A and
This section tells you about the describes the application of skills. It
techniques and knowledge associated describes the skills you must show. All
with each key skill. It tells you what you your work for this section will be
need to learn and practise to feel assessed. You must have evidence that
confident about applying communication you can do all the things listed in the
skills in your studies, work or other bullet points.
aspects of your life.
Communication: level 4
Part
쏋
쏋
YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO:
Develop a strategy
쏋
A
choose methods for achieving the quality of outcomes required, including collating and recording information
identify relevant sources of information, including people and reference material and research information for planning
purposes
plan the use of communication skills over an extended period of time
identify the outcomes you hope to achieve.
Monitor progress
쏋 evaluate information obtained from discussions with others and from reference material, identifying opinion, possible
bias and distortion of information when making judgements
synthesise information by identifying the various arguments and presenting your own interpretation
in a way that brings together information coherently
쏋 communicate relevant information about complex subjects in a form that suits your purpose
– take a lead role in group discussions, clearly structuring what you say and using appropriate vocabulary, intonation
and emphasis to make your points
– write extended documents, structuring the material and presenting arguments and information in a logical sequence,
and ensure that spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate
– respond perceptively to contributions from others
쏋 monitor and critically reflect on your use of communication skills including:
– obtaining feedback from others
– noting choices made and judging their effectiveness
쏋 adapt your strategy to overcome difficulties and produce the quality of outcomes required.
Communication: level 4
Part
C4.1
C4.2
C4.3
Evaluate your overall strategy and 4.3.1 organise and clearly present relevant information,
illustrating what you say in ways that suit your
present the outcomes from your
purpose, subject and audience
work, using at least one formal
oral presentation. Include a variety of 4.3.2 vary use of vocabulary and grammatical expression to
convey particular effects, enable fine distinctions to be
verbal, visual and other techniques to
made, achieve emphasis and engage the audience
illustrate your points.
4.3.3 assess the effectiveness of your strategy, including
factors that had an impact on the outcomes, and
identify ways to further develop your communication
skills.
Communication: level 4
EXAMPLES AND GUIDANCE
The following gives further guidance and examples of the
techniques and knowledge in Part A.
DEVELOP A STRATEGY:
쏋 identify relevant sources of information (eg specialists, customers, colleagues, reference
texts, reports, material from the internet or intranet, audio or video)
쏋 plan your use of communication skills (eg identify options, sequence of work, resources
and level of expertise needed)
쏋 identify the outcomes you hope to achieve (eg Improved presentation of research
findings, use of information to inform a project, customer service).
MONITOR PROGRESS:
쏋 evaluate information recognising how effects are achieved through linguistics structure
and presentation
쏋 synthesise and communicate information in a way that suits your purpose
쏋 reflect on your use of communication skills seeking feedback from others (eg colleagues,
supervisor, line manager, tutor).
EVALUATE STRATEGY AND PRESENT OUTCOMES:
쏋 use a range of communication skills and techniques to present your outcomes in a way
that best suits your purpose and audience
쏋 identify factors that had an impact on the success of your strategy (eg how choice of
language and style affected implied and explicit meaning, characteristics of the audience,
formality of context, level of expertise and confidence).
For further examples and guidance on the key skills standards please refer to The key skills
qualifications standards and guidance (order ref: QCA/04/1272).
Communication: level 4