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Cards for kinaesthetic sorting, matching and ordering activities

ESOL Entry 1/2/3 describing people lessons

A couple of lessons on describing people for Entry 1-3 ESOL learners. 

Includes: 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
ESOL
ESOL Sc/E1.3b Ask for information
ESOL Sc/E1.4a Make simple statements of fact
ESOL Lr/E1.2e Listen & extract key information
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Wt/E1.1a Compose very simple text to communicate ideas or basic information
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Sc/E2.2d Ask for factual information (present, past, future)
ESOL Sc/E2.2f Ask for descriptions of people, places and things
ESOL Sc/E2.3f Give a short description
ESOL Sd/E2.1d Express views and opinions
ESOL Lr/E2.2a Listen for detail in narratives and explanations
ESOL Lr/E2.3c Listen for a specific purpose
ESOL Lr/E2.5b Respond to requests for information
ESOL Rt/E2.1b Use reading strategies to obtain information from texts
ESOL Rw/E2.2a Recognise a range of familiar words
ESOL Wt/E2.1a Compose simple text, selecting appropriate format for the genre and purpose
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives
ESOL Sc/E3.3d Ask for descriptions of people, places & things
ESOL Sc/E3.4f Give a short description and make comparisons
ESOL Lr/E3.2a Listen for detail in narratives & explanations
ESOL Rt/E3.8a Read every word to obtain specific information
General ESOL

ESOL Entry 1 and 2 adjectives lesson

A lesson on adjectives for Entry 1/2 ESOL learners. 

Includes: 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FS English E2.20 Use adjectives and simple linking words
Adult Lit Ws/E2.2 Use Adjectives
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives

ESOL Entry 3 text features lesson

A lesson to help Entry 3 ESOL learners understand text features in preparation for the reading exam (Ascentis exam board). Includes: 

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FS Eng E2.12 Use illustrations, images & captions to locate information
FE E2.9 Understand organisational markers in short, straightforward texts
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E3.2a Distinguish between different purposes of texts at this level
ESOL Rt/E3.3a Identify the key organisational features of instructional texts
ESOL Rt/L1.4a Use organisational & structural features to locate information
ESOL Rt/L1.2a Know how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes

ESOL idioms lesson

A lesson for ESOL learners on common British idioms. Suitable for E2/E3 learners.

Includes: 

  • A PowerPoint 
  • A board game
  • A crossword 
  • Cards to cut up for them to match in small groups 
  • A worksheet where they write the meanings of idioms and draw a picture to illustrate them

Editor's notes

Super set of resources - PPT easily adapted to suit your own learners, and the extra games and puzzles really help reinforcement and consolidation.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Speak to communicate (Sc)
ESOL Writing (W)
ESOL Listen for detail

The Art of Persuasion

This is a large multi-page resource (12 pages, plus a shorter document with 2 sets of matching cards and a self-assessment checklist). Aimed at L1-L2 Functional English but also useful for GCSE. 

The main document includes:

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
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
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
FE WRITING Use format, structure & language (to meet purpose & audience)
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
Context
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Science, Nature & Weather
Gardening & Horticulture

Legal Age UK (2025-26)

Quite a large resource that looks at the legal age e.g. marriage, leaving school, voting, etc. in the UK. It is suitable for ESOL, FE and other English related courses.

Reading comprehension, discussion, writing and more with texts aimed at E1-L2.  Pick and choose those that suit your needs best. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
FS Eng READING understanding and locating information
FS Eng WRITING composition
ESOL
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
Context
News, Politics & Government items

Summer Solstice 2025

An updated version of Laura Bell's 2017 Solstice resource (also uses information from British Heritage), this topical resource is bound to be popular. It includes an introductory PPT (with a final differentiated article-writing task and an informative video link) along with a PDF set of reading tasks

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE E3.16 Use 1st, 2nd & 3rd letters to sequence words alphabetically
FE E3.19 Write text of appropriate length & level of detail
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format & structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
Faith & Religion

Living in the UK - Understanding Idioms

A PowerPoint with an introduction to idioms, followed one idiom per slide. Covers 10 common idioms with images, an example and simple explanation.  Perfect for whole class learning, discussion and embedding knowledge for all levels, and especially for ESOL. 

In addition there are several game suggestions in the slide notes and a separate set of match cards. Use together or on their own. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional Skills English reading
General literacy / English
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Listen and respond (Lr)
ESOL Speaking (S)
ESOL Extract main points & ideas

Spelling with ie or ei?

An exploration of the ie / ei conundrum. This set of resources provides a fun newspaper article, a simple flowchart, explanation and exercises.  It also has a set of playing/flash cards with suggestions on activities.

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
FE L2.22 Spell words used in work, study & daily life, including a range of specialist words
ESOL
ESOL Ww/E3.1a Apply spelling knowledge to a wide range of common & special-interest words
ESOL Ww/E3.1b Apply knowledge of strategies to aid with spelling
ESOL Ww/L1.1a Apply knowledge about vocabulary to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/L1.1b Use strategies to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/L2.1a Apply knowledge of vocabulary to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/L2.1b Develop strategies to aid accurate spelling

Phonics for ESOL Unit 1

There is much evidence that phonics supports second language learning with ESOL learners at all levels. This resource is the first of a set that I use. It contains basic language information with terminology that is easy to understand, explains the code and the graphemes. It is easy to use, even if you (or your learners) have never used phonics. 

Remember to use the sound of the letter for example /a/ as in cat, not /ay/ as in pay. 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E1.8 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 1
FE E2.7 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
Adult Lit Rw/E1.2 Decode simple, regular words
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.2a Use basic sound-letter correspondence to sound out words
ESOL Rw/E2.3a Use context & range of phonic / graphic knowledge to decode words
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