Functional English reading

Reading’ within Functional Skills English qualifications is defined as the independent understanding of written language in specific contexts. Can be demonstrated through the use of texts on screen or on paper.

Great set of tasks covering maths (counting, addition, subtraction, sorting, extracting info from lists/tables, problem solving) and English (reading and spelling).
Fully mapped to E1-E3 Functional Skills criteria (most suitable for E1-E2 but some of the maths is E3) with extensive teaching tips and notes.

Adapted from Jennifer Whitehead’s “Workign in a Garage” (see below).

Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
Ww/E2.1
Maths
General numeracy / maths
Functional Maths
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport

Lovely, practical reading task base don a map of the London Underground.
Fully mapped to E3 and L1 Functional English – with lots of extra teaching tips and ideas.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Adult literacy: reading comprehension (Rt)
Functional English reading
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

An interesting worksheet that covers both literacy and numeracy. Best used with an interactive food label on the UK Government Eatwell site but the questions can also be answered using the provided printout.
Covers reading comprehension (scanning), extracting information from tables, using decimals and place value.

Level
Entry Level 3
English
Rt/E3.7
Functional English reading
Maths
HD1/E3.1
AN N1/E3.1 place value <1000, odd / even, count in 10s /100s
AN N2/E3.3
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Context
Health, Social care, Early years
Catering Food Nutrition

A good mix of reading and writing resources all focusing on E1-E2 form-filling skills.
Includes: 3 forms to be filled in after reading three short descriptions; a personal form to complete, sentence work, and a matching exercise.
Fully mapped. Written for E1-E2 ESOL but also suitable for (and mapped to) Entry literacy and Functional English.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
Rw/E3.2
Functional English reading
Form filling
ESOL
ESOL Wt/E2.1b Record information on forms
ESOL Wt/E1.1a Compose very simple text to communicate ideas or basic information
ESOL Rw/E2.1a Recognise words on forms related to personal information

A fabulous City and Guilds style E3 literacy assignment that covers all aspects of E3 speaking and listening, reading and writing (see editor’s note below). Based on a trip to a seaside music festival, it makes a very appealing summer-time revision activity for music fans of any age.

Level
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
Alphabetical order
Form filling
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

A fabulous City and Guilds style E3 literacy assignment that covers all aspects of E3 speaking and listening, reading and writing (see Editor’s note below). Based on a real trip to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford it is written in a generic style and could be any local museum / art gallery.

Level
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
Alphabetical order
Form filling
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
History, culture, museums, libraries

A simplified story from Australia explains how Linda and her daughters are saving for a holiday. Accompanied by comprehension questions, writing- personal-opinions type questions, a spelling-punctuation task and a short writing task. Fully mapped to E2 Functional English and adult literacy (with additional teaching tips). Australian glossary provided for UK readers.

Level
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
General literacy / English
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

A simplified story explains how Dan is making a cake for his son’s birthday. Accompanied by comprehension questions. Fully mapped to E2 Functional English and adult literacy (with additional teaching tips).

Level
Entry Level 2
English
AL Rt/E2.1 Follow main points of short texts
Functional English reading
Fiction

Excellent practice for Edexcel style Functional Skills English reading test. 20 questions based on two simplified texts: a job advert and a formal letter inviting the reader to a job interview. Fully mapped to all the E2 reading coverage and range statements.

Level
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English reading
Adult Literacy: Reading
Context
Employment skills & Public services

This Blue Cross resource was written for strong E3 or L1 (or even L2) ESOL learners. I first used it as a homework exercise. The English on the site is a little quirky but it is an exercise using authentic material which always has its upsides and downsides.

However, it is good on human interests and most people like animals. It involves ICT, Reading and Writing. It’s best to pre-teach the vocabulary.

Also ideal for, and fully mapped to, Functional Skills English Level 1 reading and writng.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
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
Animals, animal care, farming & equine