Voluntary, Charity and Community

Two sets of Functional English resources based on various texts from the set of seven How We Remember texts (follow link right, under See also to download the texts). 

L1 tasks - reading questions based on Texts B ( Poppies web site) and E (A Nation's Thank you - the People's Procession) and a related writing task.

L1-2 tasks - reading questions based on Texts E (as above) and G (Nurse Mary Borden - forgotten female poet of WWI) and a related writing task that focuses on presentation devices and persuasive techniques.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE READING analyse texts
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries
Voluntary, Charity and Community

A set of Functional English tasks that underpin the revised Functional Skills English content, 2018 [1].  Resources will be released gradually (as they are written!) from Oct 21st until Nov 11th 2018. All tasks are based on one or more texts from a graduated set of seven, all focusing on the 2018 Armistice Centenary commemorations. Five sets of tasks, based on Texts A, B, C, D and E are now available.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE E2.14 Form regular plurals
FE E3.14 Form irregular plurals
FE E1.15 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 1
FE E2.16 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
FE E2.19 Write in compound sentences, using common conjunctions to connect clauses
FE E3.20 Use appropriate format & structure inc. appropriate use of headings & bullet points
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries
Voluntary, Charity and Community

A reading comprehension based on the BBC news website with related writing activities, one at E3 (informal letter) and one at L1-L2 (email).

Editor’s note
There is also some maths thrown in for good measure! A great resource for the start of (spring) term.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
Maths
General numeracy / maths
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community
News, Politics & Government items

A revision activity for Level 1 Functional Skills English reading and writing.

Editor’s note
Reading questions cover all aspects of the FS criteria. The writing activity (formal letter) stresses the use of persuasive techniques and is ideal for both Level 1 and Level 2. It includes a useful writing checklist.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Wt/L2.6
Adult Lit Wt/L2.5 Use formal & informal language appropriate to purpose & audience
Adult Lit Wt/L1.4 Use language suitable for purpose and audience
Functional English reading
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community
News, Politics & Government items

This teaching and assessment resource combines reading comprehension and a letter writing task based on an advert for a volunteer role as a Customer Service Assistant for a charity shop.

In Task 1, students read the job advert and answer questions to check their understanding. In Task 2, they make notes about their personal skills and qualities, then draft and write a letter to apply for the volunteer role. An additional, extension task is provided for students who either work at a faster pace or at a higher level, and involves writing a personal statement for a college course.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
ESOL
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community
Employment skills & Public services

A reading comprehension based on information taken from the Red Nose Day website.
Created for a group of mixed ability E2-L1 students.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Functional English reading
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community

This is a selection of literacy tasks, based on the Poppy Appeal 2016 and John McCrae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, covering aspects of speaking and listening, reading and writing.

Editor’s note: covers all aspects of L1-2 Functional English – also suitable for GCSE.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Functional Skills English
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community
History, culture, museums, libraries
Employment skills & Public services

Reading, writing and discussion tasks based on an email about a charity event. Discuss the email with a friend, design a poster, complete compound sentences, and answer a wide range of reading questions. Its wide appeal makes it ideal for mixed ability Entry groups.
With detailed E1-E2 Functional English curriculum mapping.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community

A text based around Ramadan to practise E3 -L1 English reading in detail / skimming & scanning for information.
There is also a related form filling exercise (E2-E3), dictionary work, and a discussion prompt (all levels)

The letter-writing task focuses on charity, so it could also tie in to employability qualifications if you are teaching community project modules or similar.

Editor’s note
With answers and curriculum mapping

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Form filling
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community

A resource designed to be used with Abigail Illife’s excellent Plural Spelling rules resource [ see ‘See also’ below].

Learners can practise their proofreading skills and apply the spelling rules. Give learners the first sheet and ask them to highlight the mistakes. As well as spelling mistakes there are capital letters and the US spelling of centre.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E2.14 Form regular plurals
FE E3.14 Form irregular plurals
Wt/L1.6
Wt/E3.4
AL Ww/E3.2 Use phonic knowledge to help spelling
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community