Handout or guide

Document with useful information / reference material for learner.

L1 Functional Skills English Revision Handout

Major update 17/5/23 written for Legacy FS in 2011 but fully updated to reflect the Reformed Functional English Content. 

This is a handout aimed at L1 Functional English learners. It contains brief guidance on exam technique for the reading exam followed by detailed, updated help with the writing exam. This has tips on maximising marks in the 7 key areas that an examiner looks at (4 areas for composition and the three SPaG areas)
Although written for Level 1 it would also serve as a useful reminder for Level 2 students 

Level
Level 1
English
Functional English reading
FE WRITING Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
FE Writing composition
General
Exam tips and help

GCSE Maths Angle Facts place mat

A two-sided A3 'place mat' that has the following

Level
GCSE L1-5
Maths
Properties and contructions

Past Simple - Regular and Irregular Verbs Christmas

An activity to introduce the past simple form by reading about Christmas. Read about Christmas in the present and past tense then identify regular and irregular and past simple verbs. Introduces students to past tense and also familiarises them with British Christmas traditions.

Editor's note

Wonderful! I love the simplicity yet usefulness of this resource.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact 
ESOL Sc/E3.4c Give an account/narrate events in the past
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
ESOL Reading
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
ESOL Rt/E2.2a Understand & identify the different purposes of short, straightforward texts
Context
Faith & Religion
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

Alphabet Arc in upper and lower case, with practice exercises.

For students struggling to learn the alphabet. It is an Alphabet Arc with further practice pages that have an increasing number of blanks to fill in. It is designed to be given out as one page at a time, to help in memorising it. I encourage my students to write out the alphabet on their exam paper, to avoid them making avoidable errors in the alphabetical order questions. 

Editor's note

I love this! For students that find alphabetical order difficult, it is much easier to learn in manageable, visual chunks. One reference sheet followed by 5 practice pages.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E1.1 Say the names of the letters of the alphabet
FE 1.14 Write letters of alphabet in sequence & in upper / lower case
FE E2.15 Use 1st & 2nd letters to sequence words alphabetically

Capital Letters - Rules

When to use (or not use) capital letters
1. with pictures
2. black font text
3. blue font text

Editor's not 
Concise and exceedingly useful. The one page text-only versions would also make handy reminder sheets for higher levels. 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
FE E1.11 Punctuate simple sentences with capital letter & full stop
FE E1.12 Use capital letter for pronoun ‘I’ and proper nouns
FE E1.13 Use lower-case letters when there is no reason to use capital letters
FE E2.13 Use basic punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question, exclamation marks)
FE E3.13 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas)

Travel Adjectives

A Beginners / Entry 1 level set of activities to introduce and practise using adjectives within the theme of travel.

Practise vocabulary, antonyms, spelling, sentence structure and handwriting.

Editor's note

Although written for ESOL most parts of this resource are also very suitable for E1-2 Functional English. In addition to the many tasks it also provides a short overview of adjectives  and basic sentence structure . Great for the build up to summer holidays - or indeed any time of year!

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E1.8 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 1
FE E1.9 Read simple sentences containing one clause
FE E1.15 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 1
FE 1.16 Communicate information in words, phrases & simple sentences
FE E2.7 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E2.16 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E2.20 Use adjectives & simple linking words
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
ESOL Rw/E2.2a Recognise a range of familiar words
ESOL Ws/E1.1a Construct a simple sentence, using basic word order & verb form
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives
ESOL Ww/E2.1b Use knowledge of sound–symbol relationships & phonological patterns when spelling
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

Maths Mastery teaching resources for L1, L2 Functional Maths & GCSE resits

I’ve only briefly skimmed through but some of these new mastery resources for L1 & L2 Functional Maths (and GCSE resits) look amazing! Includes full 33 hour (22 x 1.5 hr lessons) schemes of work, lesson plans, handouts and slides. 
 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
Maths
Functional Maths
GCSE Maths - Foundation (1-5)

Language Features Glossary

A comprehensive glossary of language features with examples and the opportunity for students to think of or write their own examples.

Editor's notes

4 minute slideshow with background music. Covers 12 features and helpfully explains the purpose of each and/or why it can be effective.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
ESOL
ESOL Rt/L1.2a Know how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes

L1 Fact and Opinion guide

How to identify facts and opinions at level 1 in prep for Functional Skills Reading exam (with some tips for how these skills can be used in a piece of writing too!).

Editor's notes

You tube: 3 minute slideshow with voice over - I especially like the tip about looking out for adjectives.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion

Writing memory jogging support table mat

Supportive table mat designed for those re-sitting writing at L1 and L2.

Editor's note

Short, succinct and useful :) 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
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