Free Functional Skills and Skills for Life resources
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Functional English reading
Reading’ within Functional Skills English qualifications is defined as the independent understanding of written language in specific contexts. Can be demonstrated through the use of texts on screen or on paper.
Reading comprehension based on a BBC website report of New Year round the world. The first part requires specific answers (i.e. Shanghai rather than China) to require learners to think about their answers rather than copy out general lumps of text. The second part asks higher level, more analytical questions.
I am using as an introductory topic to New Year sessions.
Editor’s note
A simplified E2 version of this resource is now available – scroll down to See also.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Rt/L2.8
Rt/L2.3 Identify the main points and specific detail
Top Tips for English tests is a handout that can be given out to learners. It contains a reading text and questions taken from an IQ sample assessment with tips on how to answer specific questions.
A mini-workscheme and accompanying worksheets for use with the Quick Read (Chiller Livewire) book Crazy Jack by Brandon Robshaw.
Develops skills in reading, comprehension, discussion, word and text identification and writing.
Editor’s note
March 2016 minor edit to title – no other changes
Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
This is a series of short job ads for a hotel (+ one for a school caretaker). Simple language and uncluttered layout..
Good for introduction to language of employment. I have used these with E1 to E3 and they work well as a differentiated resource
Higher levels can gauge implict information, especially for the school caretaker advert in writing covering application letters to include attributes such as working with children, being trustworthy and reliable etc)
I attach handouts for one of my recent sessions. It’s fairly self explanatory and tests learners’ comprehension skills. Also covers scanning for info and correcting punctuation errors. Great for teenagers.
Updated June 2017
New Entry 3 reading and writing tasks added. Available below as a separate PDF file. You will also need to download the L1-2 version as it uses the same text.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
A quiz to help lower level learners recognise the names of parts of the body. The quiz can be done individually or in small teams; The names of body parts are on cards for each player/team. The tutor reads out clues to a part of the body. The learners choose the correct body part from their cards. There are three clues for each part. The players score for each correct answer: The highest points are for guessing after one clue and the lowest points for guessing only after all three clues.
This can be a reading, writing, online multiple choice or interactive whiteboard activity.
Level
Entry Level 1
English
AL Rw/E1.1 Have limited, meaningful sight vocabulary of words, signs, symbols
Functional English reading
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols