Contextual Resources

A lesson to build learners' confidence to make meaning from texts, introducing the terminology: theme, motif, symbol and metaphor. 

The song uses quite simple language, which means the focus instead is on deeper analysis. It prompted really interesting discussions in our class, and tied to our theme of new beginnings and goal setting at the start of a new term.

Editor's note

These three simple resources are aimed for teaching the layout features and conventions of informal and formal letter writing.  There are three templates: 

A reading comprehension exercise with a writing task included for Level 1 and 2.

Based on a recent article on the BBC News website about Gavin Williamson and the subject of mobile phones in schools and the use of technology during the lockdown.  A topic that is certain to get the students engaged!

Included is a basic guide on how to write an article.

Editor's notes

Includes separate answer sheet and curriculum mapping. The guide to writing an article is really useful.

I created this L2 Functional Skills resource a couple of years ago for a  young adult group that used particularly 'salty' language. As well as a reading comprehension task, it led to some fruitful discussion about swearing in general, appropriate use of language with different audiences, and facilitated the setting of some mutually agreed ground rules.

A mixed set of L1-2 reading questions based on an interesting, quite technical article from the European Space Agency site. Some questions are straightforward Level 1 comprehension and vocabulary; others are more challenging and cover tone, style, language and organisational features. There is also a writing question where learners have to stick to a word count and rewrite information from the text in their own words. Might also be useful for low level GCSE. 

With FS curriculum mapping. No answer sheet.

This resource covers what is expected at the Entry 1 ICT Functional Skills exam. It follows the structure of an exam paper.  An E2 version is also available.

I based in it on a Skillsworkshop English resource by Isabel Jordan.

Editor's note

Super practice for Entry Level 1 ICT. I love it when skillsworkshop users adapt and recycle existing resources. :) You can find the E2 version of this resource, along with Isabel Jordan's original Pavement Plants Functional English resources under "See Also".

This resource covers what is expected at the Entry 2 ICT Functional Skills exam. It follows the structure of an exam paper.  An E1 version is also available.

I based in it on a Skillsworkshop English resource by Isabel Jordan. 

Editor's note

Super practice for Entry Level 2 ICT. I love it when skillsworkshop users adapt and recycle existing resources. :) You can find the E1 version of this resource, along with Isabel Jordan's original Pavement Plants Functional English resources under "See Also".

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.