Writing assessments, tasks or prompts

A short cloze exercise on the Olympic Opening Ceremony based on numbers (E2-L1), plus a writing activity at 2 levels (E2-3 and L1-L2).

Editor’s note
The cloze is also a clever way of embedding some maths (large numbers).

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
Maths
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Context
Sport and fitness
News, Politics & Government items

I have created this lesson to try and cover the main criteria laid out by C&G for the Speaking and Listening English Functional Skills, Level 2 internally set assessment (activity 2 – presentation).

I trialled it with my learners as a ‘practise’ presentation before their final assessment. In the future I hope to use it as an official internal assessment, once I have received official feedback from the awarding body external verifier, learners, other tutors, etc.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Reading, writing and discussion tasks based on an email about a charity event. Discuss the email with a friend, design a poster, complete compound sentences, and answer a wide range of reading questions. Its wide appeal makes it ideal for mixed ability Entry groups.
With detailed E1-E2 Functional English curriculum mapping.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community

Your brother is looking for a new car. You notice a suitable car advertised in your local supermarket so you email your brother and tell him about the car.
Entry 2 Functional Skills practice writing exam – with suggested differentiation for E1 and E3.
Editor’s note
With Functional Skills mapping

Level
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
T Levels - General English Competencies (GEC)
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport

Three sets of differentiated reading questions (E1, E2, E3) based on a poster about a shire horse centre / farm.
Covers all aspects of Entry Level functional skills reading. The writing task asks learners to plan and create an advertising poster for an attraction of their choice.
Editor’s note
With full curriculum mapping

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
Context
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

A text based around Ramadan to practise E3 -L1 English reading in detail / skimming & scanning for information.
There is also a related form filling exercise (E2-E3), dictionary work, and a discussion prompt (all levels)

The letter-writing task focuses on charity, so it could also tie in to employability qualifications if you are teaching community project modules or similar.

Editor’s note
With answers and curriculum mapping

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Form filling
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community

A set of three different texts and reading comprehension activities based on the theme of learning to drive, aimed at Level 1 learners who may be working towards Level 2. Plus two related writing activities.
Editor’s note
Includes full curriculum mapping and answers.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport

This is a literacy resource based around a recent news story. There are a range of tasks relating to an anti-litter app called ‘littergram’ and legal challenges made to the use of its name, with the potential to extend tasks into other aspects of littering and how the litter problem might be resolved. A final extension task asks students to take their own photographs of local examples of litter as supporting evidence for a writing activity.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
General literacy / English
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Finding and selecting information
Context
News, Politics & Government items
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

A reading comprehension and writing activity based on a Cadbury’s Easter Brand Fact Sheet. Ideal for Level 1 Functional English.

Editor’s note
Fully mapped with answer sheet and S&L idea.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Catering Food Nutrition

This is a reading from a BBC site with questions based on the Edexcel L1 Functional Skills reading paper and a writing task. The topic is ‘Mothering Sunday’. It describes the history and gives information about traditional food.

Editor’s note
Very comprehensive. All aspects of L1 reading are covered – not just “reading for detail”.

Level
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries