The main resource has four pages. Three of the pages contain a chart and a brief to a group of students to discuss and write some sentences saying what the chart tells them. The twist is that each group of 3 students has a different chart drawn from the same data as the groups next to them. The fourth page has the table from which the charts were drawn.
The charts used are: dual/clustered bar chart comparing types of drink sold on two days. A stacked/composite bar chart and a percentage bar chart of the same data.
This is a simple activity to get learners used to the concept of writing instructive text. It can be used as an introduction to the topic of ‘Purpose of Text’ and is easily adaptable to different contextualised areas e.g. instructions on how to: hang a door; insert hair rollers; change a tyre; make a bouquet etc.
The activity allows for ease of differentiation between levels, based on your assessment of the output, and works well as a main activity for Entry Level learners, or a fun warm-up for Level 1/2 learners.
Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Wt/L1.6
Adult Lit Wt/L1.5 Use format and structure for different purposes
Adult Lit Wt/L1.4 Use language suitable for purpose and audience
Adult Lit Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence, using paragraphs where appropriate
Adult Lit Wt/L1.2 Judge how much to write and the level of detail to include
Simulations of email and online banking registration forms. Can be used in succession, as for the banking registration form you need an email address. When you press the “create account” button it will open the printing menu. Good luck!
This was produced as practice assessment material for a group of learners working towards E3 Functional English (with City & Guilds). They were struggling with producing the writing in the time allowed so we practised several short, sharp topics. Planning methods were tackled separately.
Editor’s note
Fully mapped to the E2-L1 Functional English writing criteria.
A writing activity that requires learners to write 2 emails suitable for the workplace. Tasks are loosely based on the type of writing tasks required for City & Guilds Functional English at E3. Also involves searching for a suitable gift (Argos book or web site).
Editor’s note
Fully mapped to the E2-L1 Functional English writing criteria.
This is a combination of speaking & listening, note taking & writing, that I have used successfully as an ice breaker with new groups. It involves learners talking to several people and finding out about their food likes & dislikes (plus allergies, religious considerations etc) before planning a menu for a dinner party. The menu must be acceptable to all the guests! Finally each learner produces their menu presented in a conventional style.
Level
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Simplified texts and DARTS activities with follow up writing tasks at E1 and E2.
Based on material from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website http://hmd.org.uk/
Prior to completing the reading and writing tasks the class listened to a podcast of a survivor talking about their experiences.The material from both the listening activity (http://hmd.org.uk/resources/podcasts/i-was-there)
A collection of resources based around the BBC programme CrimeWatch.
Designed with L1 Functional English students in mind, the lesson can lead in to further discussion about crime, security, safety etc.
Editor’s note
The PPT also acts as a lesson outline which covers the following learning objectives.
I wrote this E3 writing task to supplement the E1/2 excellent worksheet by Carrie Bray (see below).
Plan, draft and proof read an email invitation to a friend.
