ESOL Speaking (S)

Adult ESOL Core Curriculum (DfES 2001) > Speaking and Listening > Speaking (S)

Speaking and listening is split into two sections as follows (click on each link for more information and to find relevant resources)

Speaking (S)

Resources listed below are likely to cover several Sc and/or Sd curriculum elements - often at more than one curriculum level.

To explore and filter for specific Speaking curriculum elements - click here.

Since the demise of the Excellence Gateway (EG) on September 30 2023 there is no official Government backed website where the old Skills for Life core curricula are available. The EG has (partially) migrated to the Education & Training Foundation (ETF) at https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/ but there is no sign of these classic documents. 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Listen and respond (Lr)
ESOL Speaking (S)
ESOL Reading (R)
ESOL Writing (W)
Adult ESOL Curriculum

This is an adapted version of Colleen Kelly's very useful Understanding the UK. I've made a few changes and shortened the text, as this is how I would like to use it with my particular class. I think the first part of Colleen's text provides some really good models of language for describing countries which I want my class to use and adapt to describe other countries as well as learning a little bit about the UK.  

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Speaking (S)
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries

This E3 - L1 and L2 reading comprehension resource focuses on British wildlife, including badgers, foxes and squirrels. The materials have been split into various elements so can be downloaded in whole or part, as required. 

The main texts feature engaging images, multiple-choice questions covering grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as additional activities. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it.  There will be more in the British wildlife series in the future. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English reading
Functional Skills English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
ESOL
ESOL Reading (R)
ESOL Writing (W)
ESOL Speaking (S)
Context
Animals, animal care, farming & equine
Science, Nature & Weather

A PowerPoint with an introduction to idioms, followed one idiom per slide. Covers 10 common idioms with images, an example and simple explanation.  Perfect for whole class learning, discussion and embedding knowledge for all levels, and especially for ESOL. 

In addition there are several game suggestions in the slide notes and a separate set of match cards. Use together or on their own. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional Skills English reading
General literacy / English
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Listen and respond (Lr)
ESOL Speaking (S)
ESOL Extract main points & ideas

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

Topics to discuss based on Ascentis ESOL Entry 2 Speaking and Listening exam. Learners work in groups of 3. Each is given a slightly different topic to prepare and discuss, all based around a theme. In this case jobs. They are all expected to demonstrate use of present simple, present continuous, past simple and future tenses, as appropriate.

Level
Entry Level 2
ESOL
ESOL Speaking (S)