Functional English - writing

21 questions to answer about dos and don’ts on your CV preparation. Are the statements true, false or is there some discretion about what you can do? As a team quiz it prompts discussion and lets learners express their opinions and justify the points made. Can be used as a revision or introductory tool prior to creating a CV in Functional English, Functional ICT or work skills classes.
Answers are included.

A practice exam question based on the style of Edexcel functional skills writing exam questions. Ideal for motor vehicle students.

One task for L1/L2 (formal letter) and one for E3 (letter) which also has a writing frame. Both tasks are on the subject of proposed changes to the driving test and driving laws for new drivers. A fictional story in Great Britain (currently) but real in Northern Ireland, this task also promotes lots of discussion from students which could be used for speaking and listening practice.

A powerpoint to spark discussion and introduce the topic of formal and informal language and choosing which is appropriate for different social and work situations. Aimed at E3-L1 Functional English learners.

The PPT can be used with the word match up game, which gets learners thinking about the difference between formal and informal language. Laminate the page and cut up into individual word cards.

A Level 2 Functional Skills English pack based on the troubles in London and other parts of England in the summer of 2011.

Reading and writing activities are included, alongside answers.

Discussions across a range of subjects may stem from this work in order to inform Speaking and Listening skills practice.

Fully mapped to the Functional English criteria.

A writing task / practice paper written for an E3 booster writing group of 16-18 year olds.

You want a Saturday job in a pet shop and write a letter to the manager about possible vacancies.

A short project for L1 Functional Skills or ESOL, wherein students research aspects of a foreign holiday destination and produce a piece of persuasive advertising based upon findings.

A series of challenging reading questions and writing activities based on three texts about the fast food industry.
Makes an ideal revision activity for Level 2 Functional Skills English. Fully mapped to the Functional English criteria.

A warm up or round up exercise to get Functional Skills students interested in spelling! A lot of my students are interested in tattoos (this is one of the few jobs where the fact that I am covered in them is actually a good thing!) and this had led to a lot of discussion.

I often talk through the importance of considering their designs before getting them done and this ties in nicely. It could be used as part of a session on tattoos, for example discussions and writing a letter to a friend to tell them about the pros and cons of getting a tattoo.

Two practice Christmas cards to help E1-E2 learners with writing their cards. Print off and fold in half.

I also recommend bringing in some sample envelopes to help learners recognise how to lay out a name and address.

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Three differentiated writing tasks / practice papers on the same theme. First, you apply to appear in a Christmas Concert at the village hall. Later, you hear you have got a place in the concert and write an email inviting your friends to come and watch.

I wrote these tasks as an informal summative assessment end-of-term activity for a mixed level E1-E3 group of 16-19 year-olds, but they are suitable for any age group.