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.

Wonderful high L1 – Level 2 resource which looks at the purposes and sources of a range of texts. Includes: useful handout with example of the four main types of text; discussion and examples of texts with more than one purpose; examples of badly written texts with mixed and confusing purposes; inferred and hidden meanings; writing practice (for four different purposes); re-ordering a long instructional text; and a set of final multiple choice questions to check skills.
Fully mapped to the Functional English criteria.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
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
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)
Rt/L2.2 Identify the purpose of a text and infer meaning which is not explicit
Rt/L1.2
Adult Lit Rs/L2.2 Use punctuation to help interpret the meaning and purpose of texts
Rs/L2.1 Use implicit and explicit grammatical knowledge
Functional English reading

Based loosely on C&G E3 literacy exam papers, this covers many of the criteria through a seasonal topic.
It includes reading comprehension questions (E3-L1), a dictionary and alphabetical order task (E2-E3), form filling (E2-E3) and letter writing (E3-L2). There’s also plenty of scope for discussion. The form filling and write-to-your MP tasks are also suitable for Functional English. Ideal for mixed ability groups.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE Writing composition
Functional English reading
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries

Two sets of reading comprehension questions and a writing task – all based on a thank you letter to a friend. Ideal for, and fully mapped to, E2 Functional English or any literacy lesson that is focusing on informal letters.

Level
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
AL Rt/E2.1 Follow main points of short texts
Functional English reading
Plan, compose and draft

Two sets of reading comprehension questions and a writing task – all based on a simple everyday letter informing a friend of a change of address. Ideal for, and fully mapped to, E1-E2 Functional English or any literacy lesson that is focusing on informal letters.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Wt/E2.1
Wt/E1.1
AL Rt/E2.1 Follow main points of short texts
AL Rt/E1.1 Read short familiar texts
Functional English reading

Set of reading comprehension and computer-based research/writing task based on a set of instructions for making your own terrarium from a drinks bottle. Written for, and fully mapped to, Entry 2 Functional English and ICT, but could also be used for E1 and E3 learners.

Level
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Wt/E2.1
Adult Lit Ws/E2.2 Use Adjectives
Rt/E2.2
AL Rt/E2.1 Follow main points of short texts
Rs/E2.1
Functional English reading
ICT
Functional ICT
Context
Gardening & Horticulture

I was prompted to create this set of tasks after seeing a lovely Red Nose event poster in my staff email. Although it focuses on Comic Relief 2011, this resource could easily be adapted for other charity events. Please read the resource to find out how you can obtain an editable Word version.
Functional English covers reading, spelling, writing, listening, speaking and discussion skills. Functional Maths covers time, money, doubling and halving, and 2D shapes.
Fully mapped to E1-E2 Functional Skills criteria.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Maths
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community

This is a topical lesson, looking at the Japanese tsunami disaster and its coverage in the media.

It introduces students to identifying facts and opinions. It also allows students to discuss their own views (appropriately) about this disaster. Students are also given the opportunity to write their own newspaper article based around the facts of the events.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Adult Literacy: Engage in Discussion
Functional English - writing
Adult Literacy: writing composition (Wt)
Rt/L2.8
Rt/L2.5 Read critically to evaluate information and compare information, ideas and opinions from different sources
Rt/L2.4 Read an argument and identify the points of view
Rt/L2.2 Identify the purpose of a text and infer meaning which is not explicit
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
Functional English reading
Functional Skills English
Context
News, Politics & Government items

A comprehension exercise in response to the earthquake and consequent tsunami in Japan. To be used along with research tasks or discussion.

Introduce the lesson with a discussion about the events surrounding the earthquake and some BBC footage.

The students need to be given the information without the questions to encourage them to read fully – this is not a scanning exercise. Then, when they have finished reading they can answer the questions, either in short on the sheet or in full on separate paper – differentiate accordingly.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
Rw/L2.1
Rw/L1.3
Rt/L1.3
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
Functional English reading
Context
News, Politics & Government items

A student friendly resource. Uses the Functional Skills English Skills Standards / Coverage and Range information to keep track of students’ progress.

Three separate 3-page documents to track success in reading, writing, and speaking – listening – communication.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Functional Skills English

A a series of very useful Functional English / Literacy reading tasks based on two short topical texts. Covers comprehension, spelling (suffixes), and grammar (parts of speech). Fully mapped to the Functional English criteria.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English reading
Adult Literacy: Reading
Context
Health, Social care, Early years