Contextual Resources

Written with the 2025 spring equinox in mind (March 20 2025 at 0901) but I got struck down by a virus so it's a bit late! A set of Entry Level tasks - starting with E1-2 analogue clock/date/calendar type questions about the equinox and British summertime. Followed by a similar E2-E3 section. The final two sections (mostly E3) are about a garden centre and cover number, measures, money and rounding. Although the underpinning skills are all Entry Level some of the problem solving tasks are multi-step and would also be suitable for Level 1.

A substantial comprehension resource about recycling and general waste in the UK. It includes sections relating to general recycling, fly tipping and dog fouling. There is also information about the new regulations coming into force next year.

It is suitable for Functional Skills English, general comprehension and ESOL at higher levels. There are a number of activities and SPaG questions and a writing task. 

Editor's notes:

A short, simple reading and comprehension resource for Entry 1 ESOL or Functional English

Editor's notes

Delightfully simple and straightforward yet very useful.

Part of the Living in the UK series, this resource focuses on basic sentences for Entry 1-2 learners.

There is a reading text  (informal message) about meeting new neighbours. As the learner moves through the resource they will encounter:

• comprehension questions
• basic sentence punctuation
• speaking and listening tasks
• a further reading text about BBQ safety
• two writing tasks.

This resource lends itself well to group, teacher led learning although it can be used by individuals working alone.

Continuing with the theme “A celebration of British fruit”, this reading comprehension resource is about the delightful medlar fruit. At Levels 1 and 2 there are additional punctuation and grammar questions, spelling, and fact and opinion. There is also a speaking and listening group discussion/ presentation task. At Entry 3 there is a revised text with questions and discussion ideas. The final text is simplified for Entry 1 and 2 with some appropriate questions.

Editor's notes

I created these slides to help learners write a review. It looks at the layout, vocabulary and descriptive words used in reviews. 

The slides include an example question and model answer from a past exam paper (Functional Skills Entry Level 3) 

There are supplementary slides to help complete the practice writing task called:  Restaurant Critic - using adjectives (submitted by Paul Burnett on 28 August 2018).

Editor's notes

Learners explore the contributions of five black (US) scientists and inventors. Suitable for Entry Levels 1, 2 & 3 and beyond.

Editor's notes

An interesting multi-purpose PPT that be used to focus on listening, reading or writing skills. Makes a complete lesson: warm up discussion, video link, Guess Who? quizzes and a final research / writing task.

This handout is mostly about the Citizens Advice service (CA) in the UK. It was created mainly for educators working with people who are new to the UK and often do not know where to turn for help and advice. I have found, through discussions with many learners that they know very little about the help and support available. Some suffer severe depression, racist abuse and feel isolated. By directing people to the right service a lot of these issues can start to be addressed and eased. 

Fraud and Scams in the UK 

This resource looks at phone and other types of scams and fraud.  It alerts the reader to the common tactics used by scammers and offers suggestions to avoid becoming a victim. The text is suitable for higher level E3 to L1-2 but the material is easily adapted for lower levels. Part of the Living in the UK series. 

Editor's notes

A  10 minute pantomime ideal for use as an end of term activity.

It can also be used as a discussion starter and as a topic for further writing.

Suitable for groups of mixed levels from Pre Entry to Level 2.

Editor's notes

Wonderfully clever and funny script. Can be used on so many levels and for so many different learning objectives - in addition to being jolly good fun! Lots of ideas and discussion points in the separate teaching notes.