ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences

Writing > Sentence focus (Grammar & Punctuation) > Grammar > ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences
(i) Write using sentences consisting of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses
ii) Use a range of connectives (e.g. as, if, unless, so, as a result of that, even though) to express contrast, reason, purpose, condition, consequence; using ellipses; using prepositional, adjectival and adverbial phrases to show time, manner, degree, extent, frequency and probability
(iii) Use conditional sentences
(iv) Understand and apply conventions of reported speech
(v) Understand that complete sentences should not be strung together with commas to make longer 'sentences', but should be either left as separate sentences or correctly joined, e.g. with a conjunction
vi) Recognise the importance of word order and punctuation in complex sentences, and use this understanding to avoid ambiguity
(vii) Select a sentence structure suitable for the text, e.g. know that informal texts are likely to use a contracted form of the verb and include colloquial expressions; more formal ones are likely to have verbs written out in full, include more nouns and noun phrases, more complex modal phrases and more use of passive.

Source: Adult ESOL Core Curriculum (DfES, 2001) 

Based on Maggie Harnew's Halloween Complex Sentences resource, this resource is aimed at Entry 3 ESOL students working towards the City and Guilds ESOL writing assessment, but may also be useful for Level 1 students.  Students look at examples of complex sentences and answer some questions about them. Finally they are asked to complete some complex sentences, as in Task 1 of the C&G assessment. 

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.25 Write consistently & accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate
FE L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
ESOL
ESOL Ws/E3.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences
Context
Faith & Religion

This handout describes the basic sentence types as used in the English language. It can be used to introduce or reinforce the concepts.

Editor’s note
This also makes a useful handout / reminder for vocational teachers who are embedding Functional English.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Ws/L2.1
Ws/L1.1
Ws/E3.1
Ws/E2.1
Ws/E1.1
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L2.1a
ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Ws/E3.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Ws/E2.1a Construct simple and compound sentences
ESOL Ws/E1.1a Construct a simple sentence, using basic word order & verb form

A first person autobiographical account of life in outback Australia.
Exercises include comprehension questions using when, where etc.
A revision of past tense verbs – regular and irregular.
A fill the gap using the correct verb tense.
A writing prompt for students to write about themselves – emphasising the use of conjunctions and short paragraphs.
A Wordsearch.
Includes a glossary of Australian words used in the text.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Adult Lit Wt/L1.1 Plan and draft writing
Wt/E3.2
AL Wt/E3.1 Plan & draft writing
Ws/L1.2
Ws/L1.1
Ws/E3.2
Ws/E3.1
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
AL Rt/E3.1 Understand longer texts
ESOL
ESOL Wt/L1.1a Apply genre-specific planning strategies as appropriate
ESOL Wt/E3.2a
ESOL Wt/E3.1a Recognise the process of planning and drafting
ESOL Ws/L1.2a
ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Ws/E3.2a Use basic sentence grammar accurately
ESOL Ws/E3.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Rt/L1.1a Understand how meaning is built up in paragraphed texts
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries

A set of resources which explains the use of conjunctions and worksheets to practise using them correctly. Eight common conjunctions are covered in 5 different worksheets, along with a useful handout and a related word fill puzzle to check understanding.
Mapped to Entry Level 2 Functional English and E2-L1 Adult Literacy

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Ws/L1.1
Ws/E3.1
Ws/E2.1
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Ws/E3.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Ws/E2.1a Construct simple and compound sentences

Information and examples of modal verbs followed by a cloze exercise and sentence writing.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L2.2a
ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Sd/L2.2c Express views, opinions, feelings, wishes
ESOL Sc/L2.3a Make requests
ESOL Sc/L2.2a Respond to criticism & criticise constructively
ESOL Sc/L1.2a Make requests
ESOL Rt/L2.4a Understand and identify how written arguments are structured

Passive verb forms is a useful 1 page reference sheet for L1 and L2 ESOL (and tutors).

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Rs/L2.1 Use implicit and explicit grammatical knowledge
Ws/L2.2
ESOL
ESOL Rs/L2.1a Use implicit & explicit grammatical knowledge to help follow meaning and purpose of different texts
ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Ws/L2.2a