Functional Skills English

This is a topical lesson, looking at the Japanese tsunami disaster and its coverage in the media.

It introduces students to identifying facts and opinions. It also allows students to discuss their own views (appropriately) about this disaster. Students are also given the opportunity to write their own newspaper article based around the facts of the events.

A student friendly resource. Uses the Functional Skills English Skills Standards / Coverage and Range information to keep track of students’ progress.

Three separate 3-page documents to track success in reading, writing, and speaking – listening – communication.

A fantastic set of Functional Skills and literacy / numeracy activities, interspersed with word games and quizzes for lighter moments.
A great way to engage mixed ability groups of football fans! Topics include pie charts, bar charts, averages, goal differences, league table questions, nick names, ground capacity, interviews with Ancelotti and Ferguson (comprehension), buying a season ticket, directions to the match, pitch size, discussion, writing sentences and opinions and much more.

A fabulous multi-level, multiple-skills project which clearly demonstrates how Functional English, Maths and ICT can be embedded into vocational teaching. Includes budgeting, forecasting, writing business plans, group discussion and much more. Ideal for (and fully mapped to) E3-L2 Functional English and Maths.

A super selection of functional English tasks. Based on a Red Nose Day / Comic Relief poster and story but can be used successfully at any time of year. Reading, writing and discussion tasks – with extra teaching ideas. Fully mapped to E1-2 Functional English.
Poster updated Feb 11 2011.

A great set of functional English tasks based on an ‘agony aunt’ letter from someone who wants to lose weight (tutors should therefore use their discretion before using this resource).
Reading comprehension, discussion and a scaffolded writing task (with writing frame). Ideal for (and fully mapped to) E1-2 Functional English.

Fabulous series of reading; writing; and speaking, listening and communication tasks aimed at L1-2 and based on the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.
Includes 10 reading questions, summarising, dictionary work, discussion, writing prompts, and further ideas for extra Functional English (FE) work. Fully mapped to FE. Although topical this resource provides useful practice at any time of year.

A series of reading and writing tasks based on an information text about the three main political parties in the UK. Written to help a group of Entry 3 learners prepare for their Entry 3 literacy tests but also suitable for (and fully mapped to) E3 Functional English.

Originally used pre-2010-election in a mixed ability (E1-L2) group but also makes an excellent Functional English resource at any time.
Detailed 2.5 hour lesson plan includes discussion, mini-presentations, web research and paired writing. Includes internet research guidance sheets, scaffolded gap-fill sheet to help with the web research task and a sample MP information sheet. Ideal for (and fully mapped to) E3-L2 Functional English.

A fabulous set of scaffolded reading/writing tasks – written for E2-E3 ESOL but absolutely ideal for Entry 2-3 (and higher) Functional English. The reading is based on three different topical texts on this emotive subject (spring 2010).
The writing involves writing a letter to your MP – a frame is provided for E2 writers. Get your college/students involved in this now!
With full details of relevant Functional English criteria.
Please also download the related PowerPoint (see below).