Employment skills & Public services

Using English at Work and College

A set of tasks to practise reading and writing skills. Read about a student and his work and college life.

  • Practise using conjunctions.
  • Learn synonyms
  • Practise using punctuation correctly.
  • Write about your own experience of studying and working

Editor's notes

So practical and down to earth! Find out about Joseph's day to day college life and his busy job with Deliveroo. Also very useful for E2-E3 Functional Skills English students.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
General literacy / English
FE E2.13 Use basic punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question, exclamation marks)
FE E3.13 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas)
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E2.19 Write in compound sentences, using common conjunctions to connect clauses
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
ESOL Rw/E2.2a Recognise a range of familiar words
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
ESOL Ws/E2.1a Construct simple and compound sentences
ESOL Ws/E2.3a Use correct punctuation, e.g. capital letters, full stops, question marks
ESOL Ws/E2.1a Construct simple and compound sentences
ESOL Ws/E3.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity in relation to beginnings and ends of sentences
ESOL Ws/E3.2a Use basic sentence grammar accurately
Context
Education and teaching
Employment skills & Public services
Independent living

Asking for time off work / At the hospital - ESOL role play prompts

Role play prompts for higher beginners to E3. 

  1. Peter needs to take his son to the  hospital; he asks his manager for time off work
  2. A doctor at the hospital speaks to Peter's son

Editor's note

Another very useful set of  role play prompts from Jenny. Visit her page to find further sets

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
ESOL
ESOL Sd/E2.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Sd/E2.1b Take part in more formal interaction
ESOL Sd/E2.1c Express likes and dislikes, feelings, wishes and hopes
ESOL Sd/E2.1d Express views and opinions
ESOL Sd/E2.1e Relate to other speakers
ESOL Sd/E3.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Sd/E3.1b Take part in more formal interaction
ESOL Sd/E3.1c Express feelings, likes and dislikes
ESOL Sd/E3.1d Express views and opinions
ESOL Sd/E3.1g Relate to other speakers
ESOL Sd/E3.1e Make suggestions, give advice
ESOL Sd/E3.1f Make arrangements or plans with other people
ESOL Sd/E3.2a Ask about people's feelings and opinion
Context
Employment skills & Public services
Health, Social care, Early years

The Astronaut

A short poem on the theme of jobs and careers.  Can be used as a reading and pronunciation exercise or may be extended to include a discussion around jobs, ambitions and qualifications.  Can also be used as a basis for written work.

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
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 Trace and understand main events of a text
Context
Employment skills & Public services
Independent living

Extra questions for John's Crazy Socks

Two pages of extra questions for our very popular "John's Crazy Socks" resource by Eleanor Kliffen (Jan 2018). Ideal for homework or stretch & challenge.  Questions are mixed levels with a focus on *parts of speech, punctuation and grammar (tense).  Language features are also touched upon. 

Editor's note

Although parts of speech are not specifically covered in the FS Content descriptors, a basic knowledge of nouns, verbs and subjects can be very useful when teaching sentence structure.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
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 L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
Context
Business & Money management
Employment skills & Public services

English - Applying to university as a mature student

Why might we decide to go to university as a mature student? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about their career choices (in this case, applying for a university level course) while building their Functional English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.5 Express opinions and arguments and support them with evidence
FE L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FE L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
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
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
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 L1.22 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly, coherently & accurately
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format & structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Context
Education and teaching
Employment skills & Public services

English - Career based session - Nursing and Healthcare

Interested in becoming a nurse or working in the Healthcare sector? What are the benefits? What do you need to know before you get started? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about their career choices (in this case, joining the healthcare sector) while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information & lines of argument in explanations & presentations
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L1.3 Respond effectively to detailed questions
FE L2.3 Respond effectively to detailed or extended questions & feedback
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L1.25 Write consistently & accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Context
Health, Social care, Early years
Employment skills & Public services

English - Career based session - Care work

Why might we become a care worker, and what are the benefits? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about their career choices (in this case, becoming a care worker) while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information & lines of argument in explanations & presentations
FE L1.3 Respond effectively to detailed questions
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L2.3 Respond effectively to detailed or extended questions & feedback
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Context
Health, Social care, Early years
Employment skills & Public services

English - Career based session - Running your own business

Why might we start our own business and how confident are we as a nation? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about their career choices (in this case, running their own business) while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
Context
Business & Money management
Employment skills & Public services

English - Career based session - Teaching Assistant

Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about their career choices (in this case, a teaching assistant) while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Context
Education and teaching
Employment skills & Public services

Job skills: definitions matching cards and skills matrices

I put this together when I found so many of my learners trying to hone their employability skills did not know what a lot of the words on job descriptions meant. 

Resource 1 (Definition matching cards: job skills and attributes): I laminated these and cut them up and they worked in pairs or threes to match them up.

There are two other linked resources, as below, to help students with getting to grips with the keywords used in Job Descriptions and Person Specifications. 

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
T Levels - embedded maths or English
English
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 L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format & structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
ESOL
ESOL Reading: word focus (vocabulary, word recognition, phonics)
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Employment skills & Public services
Health, Social care, Early years
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