Contextual Resources

This reading resource is designed for Functional Skills English learners.  It is aimed at level 1 and level 2, although it may be adapted for Entry level 3 also.  The resource is comprised of two texts that suggest how teenagers and young people can look after their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  Text A is adapted from the UNICEF website, and Text B is an informal email written from a worried friend to another.   The questions are written to model the reformed Edexcel Functional Skills exams, and are aimed to give learners practice in a range of  exam-style readi

During the Covid-19 lockdown I started working online in Google Classroom and created this L1-2 writing task (and an accompanying introductory presentation) in Google Docs / Slides. Use the presentation to introduce learners (if needed) to Captain Tom and his remarkable achievement for the NHS (national health service) during the Covid-19 crisis.  Slides also provide links to related news articles (important for background information and also for demonstrating the layout and language features of articles). 

Functional Skills Level 2 Reading Task on Convid-19. 

Two texts based on the current Corona virus crisis.

• Text 1 - opinionated, news article from a professor
• Text 2 - factual guide from Gov.Uk 

Editor's note

Update - apologies, when I added this resource on April 1st I forgot to upload the Word document. It is now available below. Maggie 10/4/20

Functional Skills Level 2 (and T Level General English Competencies) writing tasks consisting of writing a report and a letter to apply for a job (both based on the current Covid-19 crisis).

A worksheet designed for motor vehicle students studying Functional Skills level 1/2. A spreadsheet activity encouraging them to look up on the internet cost of essential tools they need and then display this in an Excel Spreadsheet. Can be adapted to other industries.

Covers:

• formula
• average
• formatting
• % discount
• adding charts

Editor's note (19/3/2020): answer sheet now available (contributors only)

Based on a text about the annual St Patrick's Parade in London. Aimed at L1 /L2 Reformed Functional Skills learners but also includes some Entry Level questions. Unlike formal assessment papers, questions are arranged by topic so that teachers can pick and choose the subjects they want to focus on. Includes: 

This resource covers all the Functional Skills content descriptors relating to ratio and proportion. It was written with mixed L1-L2 classes in mind. I wanted to experiment with inverse proportion questions (a new topic in Reformed Functional Maths) but wanted to build up to them gradually. The questions are contextualised and problem based, with no underpinning taught, so learners will need an introduction to ratios (or a refresher) beforehand. Ratios, direct and inverse proportion are covered.

Covers all reformed Functional Skills  content descriptors relating to position and direction (from E1 to L1). Written with mixed-level classes in mind. Positional vocabulary; cardinal and intercardinal compass points; turns (e.g. quarter turns) and bearings are all covered in this set of graduated HS2 (high speed railway) themed problems. Problems are interspersed with context-free underpinning questions, examples and tips.

A topical resource that requires students to interpret a news infographic and calculate the difference between two times. There is also a second question for Level 2 learners on Speed, Distance, Time. As well as enabling students to practise time calculations it can lead to discussion about this controversial rail project.

Editor's notes

Really topical and interesting. With curriculum mapping. No answer sheet.

This is a speaking and listening activity written in the style of the NCFE reformed Functional Skills assessment.  It is based on the 'Happy News: It's not all bad' reading resource previously published on skillsworkshop. Three task are covered: presentation (talk), Q&A session and a formal discussion. 

Editor's notes