L2

Reading comprehension based on a blog which explains what "carbon" is in a very upbeat, informal way (the blog comes from the website of Who Gives a Crap, an online loo paper seller who give 50% of profits to improve sanitation in  developing countries).  Mostly aimed at L1 with extension questions for L2, all based on the Reformed Functional Skills style questions.

Editor's note

A lesson to build learners' confidence to make meaning from texts, introducing the terminology: theme, motif, symbol and metaphor. 

The song uses quite simple language, which means the focus instead is on deeper analysis. It prompted really interesting discussions in our class, and tied to our theme of new beginnings and goal setting at the start of a new term.

Editor's note

These three simple resources are aimed for teaching the layout features and conventions of informal and formal letter writing.  There are three templates: 

A reading comprehension exercise with a writing task included for Level 1 and 2.

Based on a recent article on the BBC News website about Gavin Williamson and the subject of mobile phones in schools and the use of technology during the lockdown.  A topic that is certain to get the students engaged!

Included is a basic guide on how to write an article.

Editor's notes

Includes separate answer sheet and curriculum mapping. The guide to writing an article is really useful.

I created this L2 Functional Skills resource a couple of years ago for a  young adult group that used particularly 'salty' language. As well as a reading comprehension task, it led to some fruitful discussion about swearing in general, appropriate use of language with different audiences, and facilitated the setting of some mutually agreed ground rules.

A mixed set of L1-2 reading questions based on an interesting, quite technical article from the European Space Agency site. Some questions are straightforward Level 1 comprehension and vocabulary; others are more challenging and cover tone, style, language and organisational features. There is also a writing question where learners have to stick to a word count and rewrite information from the text in their own words. Might also be useful for low level GCSE. 

With FS curriculum mapping. No answer sheet.

A fun  PPT resource that uses music lyrics and other well known words to engage learners in identifying different language techniques.

Includes YouTube links to lyrics from Miley Cyrus, Jax Jones and others.

Includes:  metaphor, onomatopoeia, alliteration and more. With separate PDF answer sheet.

Note that at least one set of lyrics includes strong language.

British Values project based on ICT Level 2 City and Guilds covering all content including

• Task 1 - Internet Research, Word
• Task 2 - Excel IF / AND, charts, formatting, formulae,  etc
• Task 3  - PPT with images, animation, etc.
• Task 4 -  Mail Merge (needs memo.txt and employees.txt - see below)
• Task 5 - Word, poster
• Task 6  - Access database (needs training.txt file - see below)
• Task 7 -  General ICT  Knowledge 

Developed after a training session with Geoff Petty, I use this self-assessment checklist for mixed level groups. 

Although colour-coded to various levels, the idea is that any learner, regardless of level, can use the checklist to assess their own writing, and map their strengths and weaknesses.  It also helps  teachers to see how effectively learners are able to self-evaluate.   I have found it to be a really good tool to foster independent learning.

Editor's note

A resource adapted to include Audience, Purpose, Format and Features (PAFF) from a Skillsworkshop resource titled Audience and Purpose (Emma Shaw, 2007 - listed under "See Also").

This has been useful to review and consolidate PAFF for reading and then later for writing.