Discussion points
Literacy: Ww/E2.1, Ww/E3.1, Ww/L1.1, Ww/L2.1
General: Dyslexia support
Level: E2, E3, L1, L2
Resource type: Discussion points, Handout or guide, Hands-on / practical activity, Investigation or project, Worksheet or assignment
This was designed to be used with a group of dyslexic learners but would be applicable for any learners with spelling difficulties.
I have used this by separating the group into small groups or pairs and then giving each group a different strategy to try with one of the words from the word list (two are provided – one for E2-E3, one for L1-2) or a word of their own that they want to spell.
The learners get 10 minutes with each strategy and then need to evaluate the strategy.
Literacy: Functional Skills English, General literacy / English
ESOL: General ESOL
Context: Health and safety
Resource type: Bingo, lotto or Pelmanism, Discussion points, Lesson plan, Listening and/or speaking activity, Warm-up, Wordsearch, Worksheet or assignment, Writing frame, Writing prompts
Level: E1, E2
Worksheets and tasks around the theme of emergencies. Written for ESOL but also suitable for adult literacy and Functionakl English.
The worksheets and tasks include reading for information, preparing and practising an emergency phone call, speaking and writing about an emergency situation. The material is set in an Irish context so some of the vocabulary is specific e.g. ‘garda’ is a police officer and ‘gardai’ is police.
Literacy: Functional Skills English, General literacy / English
ICT: Finding and selecting information, Developing, presenting and communicating information
General: Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context: Sport
Resource type: Discussion points, ICT task sheet, Investigation or project, Listening and/or speaking activity, Worksheet or assignment
Level: E3, L1, L2
Learners must choose the next manager of the England football team. Using the task sheet to guide them, they must research, collate and present information for five candidates and then make the final choice.
There is scope for plenty of lively discussion around the choices made and also about what the manager’s job entails.
A Power Point presentation is included as an example, but can also be printed out to use in some of the additional activities described.
Literacy: Writing, Functional English - writing
Free tags: CV, quiz
Context: Employment skills & Public services
Level: E3, L1, L2
Resource type: Discussion points, Quiz
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.
Literacy: Writing: text focus (composition), Functional English - writing
Context: Motor vehicles & Transport
Level: E3, L1, L2
Resource type: Discussion points, Revision material, Worksheet or assignment, Writing frame, Writing prompts
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.
Literacy: Functional Skills English, General literacy / English
Context: Retail Hospitality Customer service
Level: E1, E2
Resource type: Cloze exercise, Discussion points, Reading comprehension, Writing prompts
Text about the 99p shop chain with comprehension questions, cloze exercise, writing numbers as words and more.
The text and picture are adapted from the wonderful First News site and the 99p Store site.
Literacy: Functional English - speaking, listening & communication, Wt/L1.4, Wt/L2.5, Functional English - writing
Context: Employment skills & Public services
Level: E3, L1, L2
Resource type: Discussion points, Interactive presentation, Sort or match cards
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.
Numeracy: Functional Maths, MSS1/E3.1, MSS1/L1.1, N1/L1.2, N1/L2.1
Context: Business & Money management
Level: E3, L1, L2
Resource type: Discussion points, Game, Investigation or project, Worksheet or assignment
An activity to explore money management and negative numbers. Be prepared to signpost students if need be.
The activity starts with discussing who is most likely to get into debt and then by recognising that anyone can if they don’t have good money skills.
Then students use *place value dice (hundreds, tens and units) to fill in their budget sheets. If you don’t have such dice you could prepare the sheets by writing in amounts to differentiate for each student.
Literacy: Functional English - speaking, listening & communication, Engage in Discussion
Resource type: Discussion points, Ice breaker, Listening and/or speaking activity
Level: E3, L1
This task was originally used for Functional Skills although it can be applied just as effectively to literacy sessions. The task aims to encourage learners to work in small groups to discuss what each phrase really means and therefore explore the different interpretations that other people have of them. Also makes a good ice breaker. Includes proverb cards, answer sheet and worksheet.
Literacy: Functional English - speaking, listening & communication, Present information
Free tags: Humour
Level: E3, L1, L2
Resource type: Discussion points, Listening and/or speaking activity
Cards that can be laminated and used over and over again for speaking and listening using persuasive language. Ideal for Functional Skills English speaking, listening and communication practice.
