A descriptive poem on the theme of Nature. Can be used as a reading and pronunciation exercise or may be extended to include a discussion about the seasons, local environments, the life cycle of animals and plants, global warming or the benefits of outdoor exercise.
Editor's notes
Super for many levels and situations - includes suggested questions and discussion prompts.
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Poetry
FE SL&C Discussion
FE READING and understanding words
ESOL
ESOL Speak clearly & with appropriate register
ESOL Engage in discussion
ESOL: Follow/participate in exchanges or discussions
ESOL Rw/E3.1a Recognise and understand relevant specialist key words
ESOL Rw/E3.3a Use a dictionary to find the meaning of unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L1.1a Use reference material to find the meaning of unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L1.3a Recognise and understand an increasing range of vocabulary
ESOL Rw/L2.2a Use reference material to find the meanings of unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L2.3a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different text types
A poem on the theme of urban nature. Can be used as a reading and pronunciation exercise or may be extended to include a discussion around nature and wildlife, living in different environments or climate change.
Editor's notes
Super for many levels and situations - includes a list of suggested questions/prompts.
Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Poetry
FE SL&C Discussion
FE READING and understanding words
ESOL
ESOL Speak clearly & with appropriate register
ESOL Engage in discussion
ESOL: Follow/participate in exchanges or discussions
Basic vocabulary word sorts, the first being based on fruit, vegetables and drinks, and the second on places (e.g. town, city), food and animals. Tasks and extension tasks on the same sheet. Scissors needed for separating the cards. Works best with students working in pairs.
Editor's notes
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best! With useful extension ideas. Laminate for repeated use. Also handy for Functional English alphabetical order work
Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E2.15 Use 1st & 2nd letters to sequence words alphabetically
ESOL
ESOL Sd/E1.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Rw/E2.2a Recognise a range of familiar words
ESOL Rw/E2.5a Sequence words using basic alphabetical ordering skills
Here is another reading comprehension that I made. Based on a BBC news article about the sad fate of the alpaca Geronimo. A few of my colleagues at work have used it (Bucks Adult Learning) and they said it worked well - Level 1/Level 2 Functional Skills English (inc. ESOL learners). Questions cover language features, purpose, using punctuation to aid understanding, vocabulary/dictionary work, inferring from images, and organisational features.
Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
A lovely activity to use with groups of learners who are developing basic IT skills. This lesson focusses on the basic features of PowerPoint. The topic for this lesson is 'endangered animals' which is something that can start interesting discussions about the environment and sustainability as well as eliciting vocabulary for animals if working with ESOL learners.
Editor's note
Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE READING understanding and locating information
FE E2.7 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E2.2a Recognise a range of familiar words
ESOL Rw/E2.3a Use context & range of phonic / graphic knowledge to decode words
ESOL Rw/E3.1a Recognise and understand relevant specialist key words
ICT
Entry 1 and 2 ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Using ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
This is a version of the fantastic Pet Centipede resource (Marion Martin. Oct 2009) that I've adapted to more closely match E2 Functional Skills exam style.
Editor's notes
I love it when Skillsworkshop resources are recycled and updated :). Perfect for Entry Level 2: questions cover general comprehension (main points), contractions, plurals, using a dictionary/vocabulary and alphabetical order.
Level
Entry Level 2
English
FE E2.7 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E2.10 Use effective strategies to find words meanings & check spelling e.g. simple dictionary, spell-checker
FE E2.15 Use 1st & 2nd letters to sequence words alphabetically
AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 style exam practice. Source A is from a contemporary memoir "Life As A Unicorn" by Amrou Al-Kadhi. Source B is adapted from a Victorian article about aquariums. The questions mimic AQA Paper 2; questions 1 to 5. Question 5 asks students to write an article about gender roles. The whole paper reflects the advance information given by AQA about the summer 2022 exams; a memoir paired with a Victorian essay and an article writing task.
Editor's notes
Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE Reading AO1b Select & synthesise evidence from different texts
GCSE Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts
GCSE Writing A5 (a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Writing A5 (b) Organise information using structural and grammatical features
GCSE A6 Use a range of vocabulary & sentence structure - with accurate SPaG
Read the extract from 'Are cat cafes good for cats?' and then answer the comprehension questions. When you have finished, complete the writing task.
Editor's note
Covers many E3-L1 content descriptors including: main points and detail, purpose of text, using punctuation to aid understanding, language features, dictionary/vocabulary work and distinguishing between fact and option. Ideal for mixed level groups. Each question is mapped to the relevant subject content descriptor.
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
Read the extract and complete the comprehension tasks. When you have finished complete the writing exercise.
Editor's note
Covers many E3-L1 content descriptors including: main points and detail, purpose of text, using punctuation to aid understanding. Ideal for mixed level groups. Each question is mapped to the relevant subject content descriptor.
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE E3.15 Use mostly correct grammar e.g. subject-verb agreement, consistent use of tense, definite & indefinite articles
FE Writing composition
FE L1.20 Use correct grammar e.g. subject-verb agreement, consistent use of different tenses, definite & indefinite articles
This is targeted towards learners preparing for the Entry 2 Functional Skills Writing exam. It uses the Entry 1 Cat Care text created by Emma Gentili (go to "See also"), and can be used in mixed ability classes together with the E1 resource.
Editor's note
Love it when skillsworkshop users recycle resources! A great adaptation of the original E1 version :)
Level
Entry Level 2
English
FE E2.7 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E2.9 Understand organisational markers in short, straightforward texts
FE E2.11 Read & understand sentences with more than one clause
FE E2.12 Use illustrations, images & captions to locate information
FE E2.13 Use basic punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question, exclamation marks)
FE E2.14 Form regular plurals
FE E2.15 Use 1st & 2nd letters to sequence words alphabetically
FE E2.17 Communicate information using words & phrases appropriate to audience & purpose
FE E2.19 Write in compound sentences, using common conjunctions to connect clauses