Skillsworkshop Classic English

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A vintage skillsworkshop resource (usually at least 10 years old) that has remained popular.

All 'Classics" have been updated to reflect the latest Reformed Functional Skills Content. Where appropriate, content had also been changed and separate PDF answer sheets provided.

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

Major update 19/01/24 written in 2005 but updated and re-mapped to reflect the Reformed Functional English Content. Page one is will prompt discussion and is probably best tackled in pairs or small groups. Page 2 is a handout with plenty of examples to study before moving on to the final pages of challenging exercises.

Answers are available (resource contributors only) please see answer sheets page for more details

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Adult Lit Rs/L2.2 Use punctuation to help interpret the meaning and purpose of texts
Apostrophes
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L1.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity and meaning
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
ESOL Rs/L2.2a Use wide range of punctuation to help interpret meaning and purpose

Written specifically for the new reformed English content which expects secure homophone skills at much lower levels than previously. Covers 6 of the 22 homophone spellings required at E3 using differentiated sets of cloze exercises. 6 sets each with 12-15 questions / sentences plus detailed teaching notes and an appendix listing all E1, E2 & E3 spellings.

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
Homophones, homographs & confusables

Use alone or as a consolidation resource for learners after attempting  E2 Homophone Cloze Exercises’ and/or  E3 Homophone Cloze Exercises – Set 1’ . Covers 7 sets of homophones from the E2 and E3 spelling lists. There are also some follow-up exercises.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
FE E2.16 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE E3.21 Use compound sentences & paragraphs where appropriate
Homophones, homographs & confusables

Written specifically for the new reformed English content which expects secure homophone skills at much lower levels than previously. Covers 6 of the 22 homophone spellings required at E3 using differentiated sets of cloze exercises. 7 sets each with 15 questions / sentences plus detailed teaching notes and an appendix listing all E1, E2 & E3 spellings.

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
Homophones, homographs & confusables

Written specifically for the new reformed English content which expects secure homophone skills at much lower levels than previously. Covers all the homophone spellings required at E2 using differentiated sets of cloze exercises. 7 sets each with 15 questions / sentences plus detailed teaching notes and an appendix listing all E1 & E2 spellings.

Level
Entry Level 2
English
FE E2.16 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
Homophones, homographs & confusables

Major update June 2021 Wimbledon is a text for E2-3 with comprehension, dictionary and sentence-writing questions followed by alphabetical ordering work on the men’s/women’s top seeds. Now with 2021 lists of seeds, new questions and Reformed Functional Skills English mapping. 
Editor’s note

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
FE E2.7 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E3.8 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E2.9 Understand organisational markers in short, straightforward texts
FE E2.12 Use illustrations, images & captions to locate information
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE E2.15 Use 1st & 2nd letters to sequence words alphabetically
FE E3.16 Use 1st, 2nd & 3rd letters to sequence words alphabetically
FE E2.19 Write in compound sentences, using common conjunctions to connect clauses
FE E3.21 Use compound sentences & paragraphs where appropriate
FS English E2.20 Use adjectives and simple linking words
FE E3.19 Write text of appropriate length & level of detail
Context
Sport and fitness

Major update June 2021 written for the Adult Literacy Core Curriculum but updated to reflect the Reformed Functional Skills English content. This PPT makes an ideal starter for an Entry Level session on adjectives and is designed to be intertwined with Emma Scotland’s worksheet of the same name (listed under See Also). Seamlessly moves from group work to paired work to individual work. Also provides useful Entry Level 1 reading practice (simple sentences).

Editor’s notes

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FS English E2.20 Use adjectives and simple linking words
FE E1.9 Read simple sentences containing one clause
Adult Lit Ws/E2.2 Use Adjectives
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives

Major update June 2021 written in 2006 for Adult Literacy but updated and re-mapped to reflect the Reformed Functional English Content. This charming worksheet can be used alone or in conjunction with Moira Garland's PPT starter of the same name (2007, updated 2021, listed under See Also). Ideal for an Entry Level session on adjectives and also provides useful Entry Level 1 reading practice (simple sentences).

Editor’s notes

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E1.9 Read simple sentences containing one clause
FS English E2.20 Use adjectives and simple linking words
Adult Lit Ws/E2.2 Use Adjectives
ESOL
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives