Contextual Resources

Displaying 1 - 10 of 1145 resources:

This pack contains four reading texts, reading comprehension questions, writing tasks and several discussion and presentation ideas/prompts. 

The first two, very short, texts form part of an introductory discussion and reading session to explore biased language. The same event (teenagers in a park) is written about in a blog and in a newspaper article. Both use biased language to present a particular viewpoint.

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
T Levels - embedded maths or English
English
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
FS Eng L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
FE L2.13 Identify implicit & inferred meaning in texts
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FS Eng WRITING composition
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts
GCSE AO4 Evaluate texts critically & support with textual references
TL - Present Information and ideas
TL - Synthesise information
TL - Take part in / Lead discussions
Context
Recycling, the environment and sustainability

Major update May 27:  Now with three additional resources - sample text (Why Dogs are Better than Cats), a handout summarising the information in the PPT, and a wonderful 4 page workbook. All designed to consolidate and practise the work covered in the PPT.

A slideshow presentation showing the purpose of, examples of, and types of persuasive techniques used in writing. The topic of recycling features strongly (ands dogd and cats to alesser extens!, making these resources accessible and of interest to a wide audience.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
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
Context
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

This resource was previously presented as ‘A Day in the Life of Jane’ (no longer available). It has been revised and updated with changes to the texts and rearranged as one downloadable file. The texts are suitable for E3-L1 ESOL and Functional Skills English.

Part of the Jane collection. 

Editor's notes

A variety of reading texts with a range of purposes and formats (article, letter, email, application form, etc.).
This resource has no answer sheet. 

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE E3.13 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas)
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE E3.15 Use mostly correct grammar e.g. subject-verb agreement, consistent use of tense, definite & indefinite articles
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
ESOL Rt/L1.1a Understand how meaning is built up in paragraphed texts
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/L1.3a Understand how main points and specific detail are presented and linked
Context
Education and teaching

This is a set of reading and SPaG exercises suitable for E1-E2 ESOL. 

Six short,  simple texts with exercises similar to those a learner may find in the assessment papers. The texts may be given as a pack or individually. 

In addition to reading comprehension questions, activities include: form filling, reading a simple map (to give directions), a job application, alphabetic order and matching symbols /signs to their meanings.

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E2.17 Communicate information using words & phrases appropriate to audience & purpose
FE E2.18 Complete a form asking for personal information (e.g. first name, surname, address, postcode, age, date of birth)
FE E2.15 Use 1st & 2nd letters to sequence words alphabetically
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
ESOL Rt/E2.1b Use reading strategies to obtain information from texts
ESOL Wt/E2.1b Record information on forms
ESOL Wt/E1.1a Compose very simple text to communicate ideas or basic information
ESOL Wt/E2.1a Compose simple text, selecting appropriate format for the genre and purpose
ESOL Rw/E2.5a Sequence words using basic alphabetical ordering skills
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service
Health, Social care, Early years

A short topical resource inspired by the recent Artemis II mission. Questions build up from Entry Level 1 through to Level 2. Each page has questions based on a short text about the mission. Something for everyone: teachers can pick and choose pages to suit their learners' needs. Topics include: dates, clocks and calendars, odd nos., calculating with time, large numbers, compound measures, rounding and converting measures.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM Straightforward problem(s) with more than 1 step
FM Complex multi-step problem(s)
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
Context
Science, Nature & Weather

This resource is aimed at Entry Level ESOL and/ Functional English. It discusses the widespread use of lithium batteries, the dangers they pose and how to dispose of them safely.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE 1.16 Communicate information in words, phrases & simple sentences
FE E2.17 Communicate information using words & phrases appropriate to audience & purpose
FE E3.20 Use appropriate format & structure inc. appropriate use of headings & bullet points
FE E3.18 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly & in logical sequence e.g. chronologically, by task
FE E3.19 Write text of appropriate length & level of detail
Pre-entry
pre-Entry General
ESOL
ESOL Sd/E1.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Sd/E2.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Sd/E3.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
ESOL Wt/E1.1a Compose very simple text to communicate ideas or basic information
ESOL Wt/E2.1a Compose simple text, selecting appropriate format for the genre and purpose
ESOL Wt/E3.2a Structure main points in short paragraphs
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Health and safety
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

Part of the Living in the UK series.

This resource covers the difficult but very real issue of domestic abuse. The information is provided sensitively and includes information and questions about Clare's Law, and an invented but realistic situation. 

Discretion is advised but it is an important and often sidestepped safeguarding issue. Whilst there is a plethora of information, I found not all of it was suitable nor accessible enough for meeting the needs of my learners. 

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
ESOL Rt/L1.1a Understand how meaning is built up in paragraphed texts
ESOL Rt/L2.1a Identify different ways meaning is built up in a range of texts of varying genres
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/L1.3a Understand how main points and specific detail are presented and linked
ESOL Rt/L2.3a Identify the main points and specific detail in different types of text of varying lengths & detail
ESOL Rt/L1.5a Use skimming, scanning and detailed reading in different ways for different purposes
ESOL Skimming, scanning & detailed reading
Context
Equality and safeguarding
Mental health, awareness & psychology

A look at some of the most annoying pests that invade our homes. This article looks at fruit flies and gnats. With reading and SPaG questions, plus two differentiated writing tasks. Suggested range is higher E3 to L1.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE WRITING Use format, structure & language (to meet purpose & audience)
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
ESOL
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/L1.5a Use skimming, scanning and detailed reading in different ways for different purposes
ESOL Wt/E3.2a Structure main points in short paragraphs
ESOL Wt/L1.3a Structure texts sequentially and coherently according to genre
ESOL Wt/L1.4a Choose language suitable for genre, purpose and audience
ESOL Wt/L1.5a Select format and appropriate structure for different purposes and genres
Context
Gardening & Horticulture
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

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

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