Discussion points

Uses illustrations and thought-provoking statements to instigate discussion and a realisation of what the ‘mean’ really tells us.

An interesting article, quiz, research and writing task for Level 2 Beauty Therapy / Care students or any Literacy students interested in this topic (originally written for a group of teenagers).

Uses a news report to prompt discussion about St George’s Day and whether it should be a national holiday. Written for E2-E3 but could also be used at higher levels.

An L1-2 investigation that covers direct proportion (best buy), and rounding / calculating with money /decimals. Two options are included: students can either research Easter egg and chocolate prices on internet shopping sites or use those given. In both cases they must investigate the cost per 100g chocolate and work out the best buy. Final extension work includes consideration of ‘buy one get one free’ and ‘two for £…’ offers.

Editor’s note. New update for 2016 – based on supermarket prices in February 2016

A brilliant resource – especially for younger, teenage students. Includes an original poem, discussion of slang, background info on Valentine’s Day, writing and speaking ideas.

A transcript and video link to a performance of Benjamin Zephaniah’s great poem. Great for discussion of language, dialect and oral performance and for Level 2 reading – inferring meaning, etc.

Provides useful prompts for general discussion work (small groups). Its budgeting slant also makes it suitable for numeracy classes.

A great 3 hour Key Skills Communication / Literacy Level 1 / Functional English lesson plan for Painting & Decorating students. Also includes cards for hands-on planning and discussion (in small groups) and work sheet / writing frame for drafting a job program for a 3 bedroom house.

A short but very useful PPT that is bound to stimulate much discussion about the different ways we communicate.

Problem Page is a great way to encourage paired reading, writing and discussion skills. Students discuss a typical problem from a tabloid newspaper page and then, in pairs, work on different problems and how they would solve them. For Entry 3, L1/2 ESOL and Literacy.