Level 1

Level 1

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

Persuasive Writing Techniques Powerpoint, Workbook, Handout and Examples

Major update May 27:  Now with three additional resources - sample text (Why Dogs are Better than Cats), a handout summarising the information in the PPT, and a wonderful 4 page workbook. All designed to consolidate and practise the work covered in the PPT.

A slideshow presentation showing the purpose of, examples of, and types of persuasive techniques used in writing. The topic of recycling features strongly (ands dogd and cats to alesser extens!, making these resources accessible and of interest to a wide audience.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
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 L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
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
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

L1-2 English FS Writing - 12 week plan with resources

A writing scheme of work/medium term plan for L1+2 Functional Skills (FS) English, designed for the Pearson assessment. It is a 12 lesson unit designed to equip learners with the skills needed to write successfully and confidently in their wider lives, as well as pass their FS writing assessment. The lessons offer differentiated options for L1 and L2 learners, so the plan can be used at either level, or for mixed ability groups. The plan outlines the content of each lesson, along with PPTs, PDF worksheets, online quizzes and video links.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
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 L1.21 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
FS Eng L1.25 Write consistently & accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate
FS Eng L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
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
FE L1.22 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly, coherently & accurately
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
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

Adult Numeracy core curriculum (DfES, 2001)

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
Maths
Adult numeracy curriculum
ESOL
General ESOL

Adult Literacy core curriculum (DfES, 2001)

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
English
Adult literacy curriculum
ESOL
General ESOL

Adult ESOL core curriculum (DfES, 2001)

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

Possessive apostrophes

Major update 19/01/24 written in 2005 but updated and re-mapped to reflect the Reformed Functional English Content. Page one is will prompt discussion and is probably best tackled in pairs or small groups. Page 2 is a handout with plenty of examples to study before moving on to the final pages of challenging exercises.

Answers are available (resource contributors only) please see answer sheets page for more details

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Adult Lit Rs/L2.2 Use punctuation to help interpret the meaning and purpose of texts
Apostrophes
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
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
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L1.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity and meaning
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
ESOL Rs/L2.2a Use wide range of punctuation to help interpret meaning and purpose

Complex sentences

Major update 21/5/26 Use subordinating conjunctions to extend simple sentences, with a "stretch" extension activity. A straightforward single page resource - ideal for revision or homework.

Editor's note

I first wrote this resource in 2004. Now updated to reflect the Reformed Functional Skills content. 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FS Eng L1.25 Write consistently & accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate
FS Eng L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
Adult Lit Ws/L1.1 Write in complete sentences
Adult Lit Ws/L2.1 Construct complex sentences
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Ws/L2.1a Use a range of sentence structure which is fit for purpose

Functional Skills Success

Functional Skills Success is a growing educational platform dedicated to helping learners and teachers prepare for a range of qualifications including Functional Skills Maths (Levels 1 and 2) and FS English (Level 2) 

Fee teaching tools include functional skills maths question generators, interactive manipulatives such as place value counters, word of the day generator, teaching ideas, common exam mistakes guide, links to practice papers, question of the day, teaching blog. 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English
Maths
Functional Maths

Dictionary and thesaurus skills

A PPT guide on how to use a dictionary and thesaurus tools, with a link to a handy YouTube video. Plus a separate 1 page handout that summarises the information in the PPT.

Editor's notes

Aimed at Entry Level (note thesaurus use is not expected until L2 but widening vocabulary is a useful skill at any level). Finishes with a quick, 4-question quiz that is easy to adapt and contextualise for your own learners.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E2.10 Use effective strategies to find words meanings & check spelling e.g. simple dictionary, spell-checker
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E2.4a Use simplified dictionary to find word meanings
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
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