Functional English - writing

A couple of resources for planning a CV.

Firstly, I would check learners understand the term ‘Employability’ and, using the letters in the the word, ask learners to come up with ideas for the personal skills and qualities needed to get a job. For example – E – enthusiastic, energetic, M – motivated, multi-talented …etc. I would then move on to the PPT.

A short cloze exercise on the Olympic Opening Ceremony based on numbers (E2-L1), plus a writing activity at 2 levels (E2-3 and L1-L2).

Editor’s note
The cloze is also a clever way of embedding some maths (large numbers).

I have created this lesson to try and cover the main criteria laid out by C&G for the Speaking and Listening English Functional Skills, Level 2 internally set assessment (activity 2 – presentation).

I trialled it with my learners as a ‘practise’ presentation before their final assessment. In the future I hope to use it as an official internal assessment, once I have received official feedback from the awarding body external verifier, learners, other tutors, etc.

Reading, writing and discussion tasks based on an email about a charity event. Discuss the email with a friend, design a poster, complete compound sentences, and answer a wide range of reading questions. Its wide appeal makes it ideal for mixed ability Entry groups.
With detailed E1-E2 Functional English curriculum mapping.

Your brother is looking for a new car. You notice a suitable car advertised in your local supermarket so you email your brother and tell him about the car.
Entry 2 Functional Skills practice writing exam – with suggested differentiation for E1 and E3.
Editor’s note
With Functional Skills mapping

Three sets of differentiated reading questions (E1, E2, E3) based on a poster about a shire horse centre / farm.
Covers all aspects of Entry Level functional skills reading. The writing task asks learners to plan and create an advertising poster for an attraction of their choice.
Editor’s note
With full curriculum mapping

Here is a resource I have successfully embedded into our early years training. It is a bit over the top with errors but even more able students enjoy doing it.

Editor’s note
Could be used by anyone – not just Early Years!
With answer key and Functional Skills mapping

8 pictures and words to teach the vocabulary of things in a living room. Can be cut up and used as a picture / word match activity for groups or as a whole class activity. Can also be used to practise alphabetical ordering. There is also
a worksheet, a labelling exercise and short simple writing activity to practise the structure ‘there is / there are’.

Using this resource, learners at E1-2 level learn to recognise vowels and consonants, spell the days of the week and identify these spellings with everyday activities and calendar usage. At E2-3 level learners can use the resource to develop their ideas into sentences that incorporate days of the week.

A reading comprehension based on two texts about the importance of applying sunscreen and a very brief outline of research (2011) into the increased risk of skin cancer for some people working in the construction industry.

Editor’s note
With answer sheet, Functional English mapping, and a related writing activity. Suitable for L1-2.