Writing assessments, tasks or prompts

Mobile Phones

One of a series of lessons, exploring  the relationship between textual features; comparing information and ideas, analysing a range of straightforward and complex texts on a range of topics;  organising own writing to convey clear meaning, establishing cohesion and communicating ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively with a particular focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar; demonstrating role as an active participant in group discussions through valuable cont

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.5 Express opinions and arguments and support them with evidence
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.5 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly / effectively, with further detail / development if required
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas and opinions in different texts
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts and distinguish between fact and opinion
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.17 Read and understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials and appropriate resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes, including to find the meanings of words in straightforward and complex sources
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view and distinguishing fact from opinion
L1.22 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and accurately
FE L1.23 Write text of an appropriate level of detail and of appropriate length (including where this is specified) to meet the needs of purpose and audience
FE L1.24 Use format, structure and language appropriate for audience and purpose
L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L2.24 Write text of an appropriate level of detail and of appropriate length (including where this is specified) to meet the needs of purpose and audience
Context
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

English - Littering and the Environment

Does the UK have a littering problem, and how is this impacting our environment? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about the environment and the impact of littering while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information / lines of argument in explanations / presentations
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L2.2 Follow narratives and lines of argument
FE L1.17 Read and understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.14 Understand the relationship between textual features and devices, and how they can be used to shape meaning for different audiences and purposes
FE L1.24 Use format, structure and language appropriate for audience and purpose
FE L2.27 Use different language and register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words), suited to audience and purpose
Context
Science, Nature & Weather

English - The benefits of the staycation

What is a Staycation and why are they a good idea for Brits in 2021?  Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about the staycation, and planning their own, while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.5 Express opinions and arguments and support them with evidence
FE L2.5 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly / effectively, with further detail / development if required
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read and understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials and appropriate resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes, including to find the meanings of words in straightforward and complex sources
L1.22 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and accurately
L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L1.24 Use format, structure and language appropriate for audience and purpose
FE L2.27 Use different language and register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words), suited to audience and purpose
Context
Leisure Travel Tourism

Anime - for L1-2 English

What is Anime, why is it so popular and what can we learn from it? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about Anime, review writing and similarities between popular culture from other countries, and what's distributed in the West, while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Bound to be a big hit with many young learners! This multi-facetted, highly visual PPT cleverly combines discussion, using punctuation to aid understanding, working with specialist vocabulary, writing a review and many other aspects of Functional English.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.5 Express opinions and arguments and support them with evidence
FE L2.5 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly / effectively, with further detail / development if required
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas and opinions in different texts
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas and opinions in different texts, including how they are conveyed
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.17 Read and understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
L1.22 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and accurately
FE L1.24 Use format, structure and language appropriate for audience and purpose
L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L2.27 Use different language and register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words), suited to audience and purpose
Context
Art Film Media Music TV
History, culture, museums, libraries

Alphabet Story Writing

Useful resource which can be used as a little taster of GCSE for FS learners, or as a GCSE activity to challenge repetitive sentence starts, use of adverbs to begin sentences, to explore structure and language in their own writing. A way to get words onto paper and develop a narrative.

Editor's note

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format and structure (e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables)
FE L2.27 Use different language and register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words), suited to audience and purpose
FE L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently and accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
GCSE Writing A5 (a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Writing A5 (b) Organise information using structural and grammatical features
GCSE A6 Use a range of vocabulary & sentence structure - with accurate SPaG

Show Me Don't Tell Me!

Lesson to develop creative writing skills - 'show me, don't tell me' explores how you can paint a picture with your words without explicitly telling the reader everything that happens.  Engaging slides using images and exploring physical behaviours for different emotions, ways of speaking and other adjectives to support learners in creating effective and believable characters. Slides also include 'Showing Versus Telling' examples for learners to demonstrate their understanding of the difference between them. 

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Writing A5 (a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE A6 Use a range of vocabulary & sentence structure - with accurate SPaG

L1-2 Letter of complaint - construction

Letter writing task to be used after a letter writing layout and paragraphing session has been taught, to assess understanding and readiness for a writing exam. This task is aimed at students undertaking Construction/Customer Service related courses alongside Functional Skills.

Editor's notes

Ideal exam practice for all L1-2 learners but particularly those in construction. For a more scaffolded approach use with a formal letter template (look under See also for examples).

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE Writing composition
L1.22 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and accurately
L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L1.23 Write text of an appropriate level of detail and of appropriate length (including where this is specified) to meet the needs of purpose and audience
FE L2.24 Write text of an appropriate level of detail and of appropriate length (including where this is specified) to meet the needs of purpose and audience
Context
Construction Carpentry Plumbing
Retail Hospitality Customer service

Should facial recognition be used to fight crime?

Slide set that explores  the use of facial recognition and AI algorithms to look for suspects and find missing people.  Resource includes reading for meaning, and encouraging 'the questioning reader'.  The resource provides video and text stimuli, encourages learner discussion, and challenges them with a report writing task about bias in facial recognition algorithms.  

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.5 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly / effectively, with further detail / development if required
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read and understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.14 Understand the relationship between textual features and devices, and how they can be used to shape meaning for different audiences and purposes
FE L1.23 Write text of an appropriate level of detail and of appropriate length (including where this is specified) to meet the needs of purpose and audience
FE L1.24 Use format, structure and language appropriate for audience and purpose
FE L2.24 Write text of an appropriate level of detail and of appropriate length (including where this is specified) to meet the needs of purpose and audience
FE L2.27 Use different language and register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words), suited to audience and purpose
Context
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

English - Career based session - Running your own business

Why might we start our own business and how confident are we as a nation? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about their career choices (in this case, running their own business) while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L2.5 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly / effectively, with further detail / development if required
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.14 Understand organisational and structural features and use them to locate relevant information (e.g. index, menus, subheadings, paragraphs) in a range of straightforward texts
FE L1.17 Read and understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials and appropriate resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes, including to find the meanings of words in straightforward and complex sources
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features and use them to locate relevant information in a range of straightforward and complex sources
Context
Business & Money management
Employment skills & Public services

Online Shopping - Scams

Reading, discussion and writing tasks exploring fake ads and online shopping scams on sites such as Facebook and Google. Discussion points to encourage learner engagement and two tasks to develop ideas through their writing.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.3 Respond effectively to detailed questions
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.2 Follow narratives and lines of argument
FE L2.5 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly / effectively, with further detail / development if required
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 L1.17 Read and understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.11 Identify the different situations when the main points are sufficient and when it is important to have specific details
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials and appropriate resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes, including to find the meanings of words in straightforward and complex sources
L1.22 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and accurately
FE L1.23 Write text of an appropriate level of detail and of appropriate length (including where this is specified) to meet the needs of purpose and audience
FE L1.24 Use format, structure and language appropriate for audience and purpose
FE L2.24 Write text of an appropriate level of detail and of appropriate length (including where this is specified) to meet the needs of purpose and audience
L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L2.27 Use different language and register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words), suited to audience and purpose
General
Study Skills and General Teaching
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