Contextual Resources

A reading comprehension exercise differentiated Entry Level 2 and Entry Level 3 Functional Skills English. 

Based on an article from Spring 2020 about finding wild plants in towns.  Designed for a mixed ability class so that everyone could be working on the same theme.  [An E1 version is also available]. Questions cover almost all E2 and E3 FS Reading criteria and allow for practice in sentence writing as well as comprehension.

A set of  Entry Level 1 Functional English tasks based on an article from Spring 2020 about finding wild plants in towns. Designed for a mixed ability class so that everyone could be working on the same theme. [An E2-3 version is also available]. Includes multiple choice comprehension questions; sentence writing, punctuation and alphabetical order questions; and speaking and listening activities.

A fun  PPT resource that uses music lyrics and other well known words to engage learners in identifying different language techniques.

Includes YouTube links to lyrics from Miley Cyrus, Jax Jones and others.

Includes:  metaphor, onomatopoeia, alliteration and more. With separate PDF answer sheet.

Note that at least one set of lyrics includes strong language.

British Values project based on ICT Level 2 City and Guilds covering all content including

• Task 1 - Internet Research, Word
• Task 2 - Excel IF / AND, charts, formatting, formulae,  etc
• Task 3  - PPT with images, animation, etc.
• Task 4 -  Mail Merge (needs memo.txt and employees.txt - see below)
• Task 5 - Word, poster
• Task 6  - Access database (needs training.txt file - see below)
• Task 7 -  General ICT  Knowledge 

ICT Project about British Values - based on City & Guilds Level 1 Functional ICT assessments.

• Task 1 - Internet research and copying and pasting
• Task 2 - Excel activity - including formula, adding a chart, formatting
• Task 3 - PowerPoint activity - adding slides, animation, images etc.
• Task 4 - Create a poster on Word
• Task 5 - Databases - sort and filter 
• Task 6 - General ICT Knowledge

Updated 11 Mar 21

Related 'Garden Birds' word search now added. This extra activity is based on the "Guide to the top 10 garden birds" poster that appears on page 2  of the Entry Level 1 resource.

Two reading comprehension exercises differentiated for EL1 and EL2/3 Functional Skills English. The Entry Level 1 version also includes speaking and listening activities.

This is the resource for L1 learners submitted by Hannah Yates on 2 June 2017, but updated with 2020 figures for JSA (job seekers allowance) and Tax allowance.

Now in SMART notebook format to use whilst screen sharing in a virtual teaching session.  Answers are included on the slide following each question (and under the shades on the table on slide 3).

This interesting report on an overseas sportsman in UK allows for work in ESOL. The report covers a footballer who wishes to live in Cardiff and previously moved from Birmingham to Moscow. The comprehension questions cover his career and the people that influence his life. A conversation between the journalist and player allows for forming questions and the last task is a writing opportunity.

Editor's note

Also suitable for Functional English - see the notes within the resource. I love the dialogue exercise. :)

This is a Level 2 based Currency Conversion set of 4 questions with resource sheets and answers.  All exchange rates resources were obtained from web sites such as The Post Office and the Bank of England. 

Editor's note

Also provides useful practice in multiply, dividing with decimals (up to 4 decimal places); sensible rounding of answers; and extracting data from tables.

A set of five texts about screen time, physical and sedentary activity, and sleep for Children under age 5. The texts can be used in various combinations for Functional Skills (FS) speaking, listening and communicating; reading and writing activities. Teachers can pick and choose their own texts and create related DARTs (directed activities related to text) and questions to suit. There will also be pre-prepared resources on skillsworkshop. See "See also" for links.