ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)

Adult ESOL Core Curriculum (DfES 2001) > Reading (R) > Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)

Resources listed directly below are likely to cover many aspects of reading comprehension - often at more than one curriculum level.

Originally written as a mock E2 ESOL reading paper with a Halloween theme. Now amended with extra tasks to reflect the reformed Entry Level 2 Functional English content. Covers alphabetical order / dictionary work, general comprehension, purpose of text (E3) and some writing elements (see below). 

Entry 2 Halloween reading tasks

Level
Entry Level 2
English
FE E2.7 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E2.10 Use effective strategies to find words meanings & check spelling e.g. simple dictionary, spell-checker
FE E2.15 Use 1st & 2nd letters to sequence words alphabetically
FE E2.18 Complete a form asking for personal information (e.g. first name, surname, address, postcode, age, date of birth)
ESOL
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
ESOL Rs/E2.1d Use punctuation and capitalisation to aid understanding
ESOL Rw/E2.4a Use simplified dictionary to find word meanings
ESOL Rw/E2.5a Sequence words using basic alphabetical ordering skills
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

A multi-skill worksheet that incorporates speaking, listening, reading and writing, based on a short (1:22) BBC news video about a 100th birthday trip to London. Aimed at E3 / L1, but suitable for higher level E2 and for L2 as a recap (for L2 - elicit examples of the grammar and instructions beforehand).

Key learning outcomes: learners will:

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE READING main points & detail
FE WRITING Grammar
FE SL&C Active listening
FE SL&C Make requests & ask questions
FE WRITING Clarity, cohesion, length and detail
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Listen and respond (Lr)
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
ESOL: Writing sentence focus - punctuation and grammar (Ws)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)

A reading comprehension and vocabulary activity suitable for both ESOL and Literacy / Functional Skills. The activities are based on a BBC News article about John Cronin’s online business, John’s Crazy Socks. John, who has Down’s Syndrome, is a co-founder of the business, along with his father, Mark.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Adult Literacy: Engage in Discussion
Use reading strategies
Rw/L1.2
Identify main points and detail
Plan, compose and draft
Follow and understand
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL: Reading word focus - vocabulary, word recognition, phonics (Rw)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
Context
Employment skills & Public services
Business & Money management

A list of simple sentences, some of which are common sayings. They all contain a word which has more than one meaning. The list can be used to improve vocabulary, and also to show students the importance of context in understanding the meaning of a word. Could be used as a warm-up for a reading lesson.

Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Adult Literacy: Reading at word level (phonics & vocabulary)
Rw/E3.5
Functional English reading
Homophones, homographs & confusables
ESOL
ESOL: Reading word focus - vocabulary, word recognition, phonics (Rw)
ESOL Rw/E3.5a Use variety of reading strategies to read/understand unfamiliar words
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)

This resource is aimed at high E3, L1 and L2 ESOL learners who make mistakes when using conjunctions, prepositions and adverbs in their writing to express contrast. There are seven speaking, reading and writing tasks in all.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Use knowledge of grammar
Apply grammar
Identify main points and detail
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL: Writing sentence focus - punctuation and grammar (Ws)
ESOL Reading: sentence focus - grammar, punctuation (Rs)
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
Context
Sport and fitness
News, Politics & Government items

An ESOL reading comprehension based on a BBC News report on the death of Stanislav Petrov, who averted a potential Cold War disaster in 1983.

The text contains several examples of past perfect, reported speech and third / mixed conditionals. The activity combines reading for gist, for detail, identifying vocabulary and identifying parts of speech. An extension activity gives learners an opportunity to write a similar short text, using the same elements of grammar to tell a story about a decision that changed events.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Use knowledge of grammar
Apply grammar
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL: Reading word focus - vocabulary, word recognition, phonics (Rw)
ESOL: Writing sentence focus - punctuation and grammar (Ws)
ESOL Reading: sentence focus - grammar, punctuation (Rs)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
Context
News, Politics & Government items
History, culture, museums, libraries

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 activity, based on an extract from a Guardian article on the value of smart meters. Questions cover the following skills: reading for gist, skimming, scanning, identifying the use of a pronoun, vocabulary matching and inferring. Suitable for Entry 3 – Level 1. Could also be used as a starter activity at Level 2, prior to using the full text of the article for other activities.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English reading
ESOL
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
Context
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

An E3- L2 Set of ‘follow-me’ cards that can be used by a group of learners or as a domino card match ‘loop’ for an individual learner. Serves as a supplementary / plenary resource to identifying and defining common phrases/sayings.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English reading
Follow and understand
ESOL
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)

A simplified and adapted version of Laura Bell’s New Year Resource (which is aimed at E3-L2).
This version is aimed at E2-E3 and is a reading comprehension based on a BBC website report of New Year round the world. Great as an introductory topic to spring term sessions.

To find the original higher level resource scroll down to See also.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English reading
ESOL
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
Context
News, Politics & Government items