SLc/L1.2

Make requests and ask questions to obtain information in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
(a) Know how to make requests and ask questions to get the required information, adapting level of formality to situation and context

Editor’s note
Updated Sept 17. Errors corrected and minor layout changes.

A handout and exercise sheets for using direct and reported speech. Gives several example of each and the exercises work by switching the same message between direct and reported speech.

I have used this as a speaking/listing exercise as well as writing for grammar/punctuation. Target group is really L1 /L2 but can work well with high E3 too.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
SLc/L1.2
Apply punctuation and capitalisation
ESOL
ESOL Writing (W)
ESOL: Writing sentence focus - punctuation and grammar (Ws)

Set of 12 sentences to complete. The 12 missing words are 6 pairs of synonyms such as sorry / apologise, need / require, etc. Makes a good starting point for further discussion and/or further speaking and written work.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Adult Lit Wt/L2.5 Use formal & informal language appropriate to purpose & audience
Adult Lit Wt/L1.4 Use language suitable for purpose and audience
SLc/L2.1
SLc/L1.2
SLc/E3.2
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)
ESOL
ESOL Wt/L2.5a
ESOL Wt/L1.4a Choose language suitable for genre, purpose and audience
ESOL Sc/L2.1c Use formal language and register where appropriate
ESOL Sc/L1.2a Make requests
ESOL Sc/E3.2a Use formal language and register when appropriate
ESOL Rw/L2.3a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different text types

Questioning for understanding is a really useful help sheet that encourages learners to ask relevant questions (any topic, any level). Based on Kipling’s “What and Why and When, And How and Where and Who” with teaching ideas and useful links.

For a related resource using the same idea to investigate and write newspaper reports please see Ellie Walsh’s Looking at Newspapers (below).

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Poetry
AL SLc/E1.3
Adult Lit SLc/E2.2 Make requests and ask questions to obtain information in everyday contexts
SLc/E3.4
SLc/L1.2
SLc/L2.2
General
Study Skills and General Teaching
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond

Making a formal phone call (in order to arrange an interview with a local hospitality provider, etc.) provides key questions to guide students through the formalities of making requests, asking questions (and wording them carefully).
Suitable for all contenxts – not just hospitality.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
SLc/L1.2
SLc/L2.2
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Retail Hospitality Customer service