GCSE L1-5

Spelling Workbook

A comprehensive booklet covering all the basics someone needs to know to understand how the English spelling system works. It provides explanations, examples and brief practice activities. The materials are best used over a period of time, supplemented and reviewed for application.

Editor's notes

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE E2.16 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
FE L2.22 Spell words used in work, study & daily life, including a range of specialist words
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation
ESOL
ESOL Ww/E2.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling
ESOL Ww/E3.1a Apply spelling knowledge to a wide range of common & special-interest words
ESOL Ww/E3.1b Apply knowledge of strategies to aid with spelling
ESOL Ww/L1.1b Use strategies to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/L2.1b Develop strategies to aid accurate spelling
General
Study Skills and General Teaching
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond

Pompeii and Herculaneum L1-2 Functional English assessment pack

A complete mock assessment pack based on the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum

The reading section contains two texts:

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts
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 L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
FE L2.13 Identify implicit & inferred meaning in texts
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FE L1.22 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly, coherently & accurately
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 L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries

GCSE Results Day: Resits, Reviews and Functional Skills

Free UK guide explaining GCSE results, English and maths resits, private entry and when Functional Skills may be an alternative. It is written for 16-year-olds and parents, and no TheLearnDen account is required.

Editor's notes

Useful reading, especially for parents and students that are unfamiliar with UK post-16 educational options.

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Education and teaching

Free UK Curriculum Resources for Years 1–10 | TheLearnDen

Free reviewed videos, lessons, worksheets, practice, games and parent guides for UK Maths, English and Science from Year 1 to Year 10, including GCSE foundations. Search by year, subject or topic. No TheLearnDen account is required.

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
General literacy / English
Maths
General numeracy / maths
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Education and teaching

Language Bias - The problem with waste (L2 assessment tasks)

This pack contains four reading texts, reading comprehension questions, writing tasks and several discussion and presentation ideas/prompts. 

The first two, very short, texts form part of an introductory discussion and reading session to explore biased language. The same event (teenagers in a park) is written about in a blog and in a newspaper article. Both use biased language to present a particular viewpoint.

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
T Levels - embedded maths or English
English
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
FS Eng L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
FE L2.13 Identify implicit & inferred meaning in texts
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FS Eng WRITING composition
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts
GCSE AO4 Evaluate texts critically & support with textual references
TL - Present Information and ideas
TL - Synthesise information
TL - Take part in / Lead discussions
Context
Recycling, the environment and sustainability

CrackMaths!

A new site run by UK Maths teacher Iain. The Level 2 Functional Skills Maths content descriptors have been broken down into 70 free, detailed video tutorials with associated worksheets (practice questions followed by scenario questions) provided as large image files - not PDFs. There are also videos with past paper walk-throughs and times table tips, plus links to past papers from all the FS awarding bodies. Videos are short and snappy and great for self study, reinforcement and revision. Foundation GCSE is also covered (separately) 👍👍🏿👍🏽

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - handling information and data
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space

The Art of Persuasion

This is a large multi-page resource (12 pages, plus a shorter document with 2 sets of matching cards and a self-assessment checklist). Aimed at L1-L2 Functional English but also useful for GCSE. 

The main document includes:

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
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 L1.24 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
FE WRITING Use format, structure & language (to meet purpose & audience)
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
Context
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Science, Nature & Weather
Gardening & Horticulture

Living in the UK - Sarcasm

A look at the use of sarcasm in Britain.  Many people, especially where English is not their first language, struggle to understand this uniquely British method of communication.  

The resource contains many examples and explanations with a number of varied activities. This resource is useful for general English and ESOL learners.  It includes a discussion, examples and activities. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FS Eng READING main points & detail
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Trace and understand main events of a text
ESOL: Identify feelings & points of view
General
Study Skills and General Teaching

A Midsummer Night's Pantomime

A 15 minute play based on Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.  The script follows the plot of the original play (with a few minor changes) and is written in the style of a pantomime.

Ideal for use as an introduction to the play or as an end of term activity.  Can also be used to enhance acting skills.

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
General literacy / English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional Skills English reading
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE English Spoken Language AO7 Formal presentation skills
ESOL
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
ESOL Speak to communicate (Sc)
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

American and British spelling activities - quizzes and discussion

Three resources based on the differences between these two variations of English.  

  1. A PowerPoint Quiz
  2. A discussion resource for Speaking and Listening (with extra quizzes).
  3. Paper-based Quiz  (same questions as PPT - with answers and explanations

The resources work together to support a range of learners and learning styles within ESOL, FS and GCSE.

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE E3.6 Make relevant contributions to group discussions about straightforward topics
FE E3.7 Listen to & respond appropriately to other points of view, respecting conventions of turn-taking
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.8 Make relevant and constructive contributions to move discussion forward
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
FE L2.22 Spell words used in work, study & daily life, including a range of specialist words
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation
ESOL
ESOL Sd/E3.1b Take part in more formal interaction
ESOL Sd/L1.2a Express views and opinions
ESOL Sd/L2.2c Express views, opinions, feelings, wishes
ESOL Ww/E3.1a Apply spelling knowledge to a wide range of common & special-interest words
ESOL Ww/L1.1a Apply knowledge about vocabulary to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/L2.1a Apply knowledge of vocabulary to aid accurate spelling
General
Study Skills and General Teaching
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