Discussion points

A range of resources that are particularly good for prompting class discussion

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

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

[img_assist|nid=6104|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=71]A Powerpoint presentation designed to prompt discussion and accompanying reading comprehension to advise about avoiding scams.

Editor’s note
With curriculum mapping. Covers reading, writing and SL&C.

Level
Entry Level 1
English
AL Rt/E1.1 Read short familiar texts
Functional Skills English
Context
Independent living

Functional skills maths.
Extract information from mileage and distance (network) diagrams. Complete a mileage chart.
Editor’s note
With worked solutions, pop up help and a final challenge question.
Ideal as an introduction or for revision.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Maths
MSS1/L1.5
HD1/L1.1
HD1/E3.1
AN Length weight capacity temperature scales
Functional Maths
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport

A short, contextual news article with associated comprehension and two writing tasks (a Facebook message and a formal letter).

Editor’s note
With answers and detailed curriculum mapping.

Level
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport

This is a reading comprehension and dictionary exercise based on the life of Fidel Castro. I have provided the reading text first and then the vocabulary work. However, with some groups it may be better to work on the vocabulary before tackling the text.
Editor’s note
Also includes a useful research/summarising/timeline activity and points for writing or discussion. Includes curriculum mapping but no answer sheet.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE READING understanding and locating information
FE Writing composition
Context
News, Politics & Government items
History, culture, museums, libraries

This is a selection of literacy tasks, based on the Poppy Appeal 2016 and John McCrae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, covering aspects of speaking and listening, reading and writing.

Editor’s note: covers all aspects of L1-2 Functional English – also suitable for GCSE.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Functional Skills English
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community
History, culture, museums, libraries
Employment skills & Public services

These lesson activities are based on scenes from David Lean’s 1984 film, A Passage to India. Topics relating to culture, integration, separation, race, ethnicity, identity and humanity can easily be raised and discussed via the materials and the film scenes. There are many ways of using this original material and the suggestions are just activities that have worked with L2 and [even] L1 students.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
General literacy / English
ESOL
ESOL Reading (R)
ESOL Speaking (S)
ESOL Listen and respond (Lr)
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Aimed at Hairdressing students working towards Functional English at E3 and L1, this helps with the S&L section in a vocational context.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Context
Hairdressing & Beauty therapy

A quick paper based quiz on the EU adapted from the on-screen version on the uk.gov site at: www.eureferendum.gov.uk
[img_assist|nid=5907|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=69|height=100]
It isn’t directly about the referendum but might be useful to spark debates. Multiple choice, questions such as ‘how many countries are in the EU’ etc…..

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Adult Literacy: Engage in Discussion
Rw/E3.5
Rw/E2.4
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
News, Politics & Government items