Wordsearch

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

An easy word search (downwards and across only – no diagonals of backward-spelt words). Ideal for consolidating a vocabulary lesson on things to bring to class. A first lesson warmer / homework / filler.

Level
M8
Entry Level 1
English
Adult Lit Rw/E1.1 Have limited, meaningful sight vocabulary of words, signs, symbols
Pre-entry
pre-Entry Rw/M8.1Recognise letters of the alphabet by shape, name, sound
pre-Entry Rw/M8.3 Recognise & read a growing no. of words signs symbols
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.3a Identify letters of alphabet in both upper & lower case
ESOL Rw/E1.2a Use basic sound-letter correspondence to sound out words
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
Context
Education and teaching

A reading based on a news item. Includes comprehension questions, wordsearch puzzle, crossword, putting words in order to make sentences.

Editor’s note
Aimed at E2-E3 but some parts are suitable for E1 (with support). With Functional Skills mapping.

Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
AL Rt/E3.1 Understand longer texts
AL Rt/E2.1 Follow main points of short texts
Functional English reading
Context
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

A simplified version of a newspaper article. The reading is followed by comprehension questions, a meaning match, a word find, and a scanning for correct spelling exercise. Developed for an adult student with Asperger’s, as well as dyslexia, who needs lots of motivation and exercises easy enough for him to be able to be successful without too much help.

Adapted from a Level 1 resource What happens to Ice Falling from planes
from Dave Norgate (2010).

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English reading
General
Dyslexia support
Autistic spectrum support
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport

Aimed at E1-E3 learners, this resource can be used to introduce the spellings of days and months at E1 or E2, or as a revision tool at E2 or E3. After finding the names of all 7 days and 12 months in the Wordsearch, where they are presented in upper-case letters, the learner uses the next sheet to write the names in the chart using the correct combination of upper and lower case letters.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
AL Apply strategies to spell correctly

A simplified reading about cyclones with reference to the two cyclones in Australia in February 2015 followed by some exercises. The exercises are at different levels to meet the very different abilities of students in my class.

Editor’s note
Lovely selection of reading materials and exercises – includes fill-in tables, questions, word searches (two levels), and a blank map to add cyclone paths. E1-E3.

Update (28/2/15)
Small error in wind speed chart now corrected.

Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
M8
English
Adult Lit Ww/E1.2 Write the letters of the alphabet using upper and lower case
AL Rt/E3.1 Understand longer texts
AL Rt/E2.1 Follow main points of short texts
Functional English reading
Context
News, Politics & Government items

Here are a set of worksheets for use with learners based around fire safety. The vocabulary included are types of fire extinguisher and types of fire. The first sheet is a wordsearch, the second features anagrams, and the third sheet is a blank learning check to see how much learners remember.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
General literacy / English
ESOL
General ESOL
Context
Health and safety

This simple wordsearch is ideal for ESOL beginners and E1-2 Literacy. Nationalities included are Polish, Bangladeshi, Italian, Japanese, South African, Chinese, British, Egyptian and Irish. The chosen nationalities give examples of the most common suffixes -ish, -i, -ian, -n and -ese.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
English
AL Recognise and understand a range of words
ESOL
ESOL: Reading word focus - vocabulary, word recognition, phonics (Rw)
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

A short reading text followed by exercises: True or False; Putting words in the correct order to answer questions; Writing sentences with words from the story (or sentences may be copied from the story) and a WordSearch.
This is followed by some dialogue using the situations in the story for practising pronunciation.
Suitable for literacy and ESOL.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
General literacy / English
ESOL
General ESOL

Worksheets and tasks around the theme of emergencies. Written for ESOL but also suitable for adult literacy and Functionakl English.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
ESOL
General ESOL
Context
Health and safety