Functional Skills English reading

'Reading’ within Functional Skills English qualifications is defined as the independent understanding of written language in specific contexts and can be demonstrated through the use of texts on screen or on paper.

Subject content [reformed] functional skills: English (DfE, Feb 2018): 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/functional-skills-subject-content-english

For a list of resources that cover this curriculum area SCROLL DOWN

A broad Functional Skills English category often used to classify multi-level reading resources that cover many, many descriptors including some, any or all of the following Reformed Functional English areas below. To drill down to more specific reading areas and content descriptors follow the bulleted links below

Reformed Functional Skills English > Reading >

GetWorksheets.com

Getworksheets.com is a free US community site founded by teacher Cris but now the combined effort of 23 teachers and 6 home schoolers. It's a massive collection with an impressive quality control system that you can read about here.

Worksheets cover all ages and skills from preschool to college. You'll need to sort through as some sheets include childlike images not suitable for the majority of Functional Skills (FS) learners. However, there are hundreds of gems to be found and all can be freely printed.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English reading
Functional Skills English - writing
Maths
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space

Jane Starts a New Life

A higher-level narrative that complements City Girl (see links under See Also). This text features Jane/Janiyah, rather than Emily, after she moves to the countryside. 

My suggested Functional Skills English level is L1-L2 (for ESOL - Higher L1-L2). Some questions may be tricky for the lower end of the scale. There are three sections: reading, SPaG and writing. I have included suggested marks for the first two sections but no answer key.

 

 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English reading
FS Eng WRITING Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
FS Eng WRITING composition
ESOL
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
ESOL Reading: sentence focus - grammar, punctuation (Rs)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
Context
Mental health, awareness & psychology

Shopping in the UK

A multitask resource for ESOL E3 to lower L1. Includes reading, writing, role-play and questions. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
Functional Skills English reading
Functional Skills English - writing
ESOL
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols

A Christmas Carol - 10 minute rhyming script

A 10 minute rhyming script of Charles Dickens' novel 'A Christmas Carol'. Ideal for use as an end of term activity.

It can also be used as a discussion starter and as a topic for further writing. Suitable for groups of mixed levels from Entry 2 to Level 2 and beyond.

Editor's notes

Another clever and funny rhyming (play)script from Jean. Can be used on so many levels and for so many different learning objectives - in addition to being good fun! 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English reading
FS Eng SL&C Speaking
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

British Wildlife E3-L2 reading, writing & discussion tasks

This E3 - L1 and L2 reading comprehension resource focuses on British wildlife, including badgers, foxes and squirrels. The materials have been split into various elements so can be downloaded in whole or part, as required. 

The main texts feature engaging images, multiple-choice questions covering grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as additional activities. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it.  There will be more in the British wildlife series in the future. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English reading
Functional Skills English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
ESOL
ESOL Reading (R)
ESOL Writing (W)
ESOL Speaking (S)
Context
Animals, animal care, farming & equine
Science, Nature & Weather

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

Living in the UK - Understanding Idioms

A PowerPoint with an introduction to idioms, followed one idiom per slide. Covers 10 common idioms with images, an example and simple explanation.  Perfect for whole class learning, discussion and embedding knowledge for all levels, and especially for ESOL. 

In addition there are several game suggestions in the slide notes and a separate set of match cards. Use together or on their own. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional Skills English reading
General literacy / English
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Listen and respond (Lr)
ESOL Speaking (S)
ESOL Extract main points & ideas

April Fools' Day L1-L2 reading tasks

Corrections  (May 15, 2025 8.32pm) Apostrophe error in title fixed on all 6 pages.  (May 15 2.30pm) Bonus question 25 part c: the answer has 7 letters - not 8. Apologies!

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
Functional Skills English reading
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
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 L2.13 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 L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

Sleeping Beauty Pantomime script for end of term English

A  10 minute pantomime ideal for use as an end of term activity.

It can also be used as a discussion starter and as a topic for further writing.

Suitable for groups of mixed levels from Pre Entry to Level 2.

Editor's notes

Wonderfully clever and funny script. Can be used on so many levels and for so many different learning objectives - in addition to being jolly good fun! Lots of ideas and discussion points in the separate teaching notes.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English reading
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
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

5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Selecting Texts for Beginner EAL Learners

I am absolutely fascinated by this blog written by Lauren Piovesan, the founder of ESL Reads. Despite spending two decades simplifying texts - a task that I enjoy and sometimes find a challenge - I've never really analysed what I'm doing.

Although written for EAL (English as an Additional Language) teachers this is a useful guide for both experienced and new teachers of ESOL, adult literacy (Functional Skills English) and indeed vocational subjects. 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Functional Skills English reading
Adult Literacy: Reading
Pre-entry
pE Reading
ESOL
ESOL Reading (R)
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