Contextual Resources

Read an exemplar answer to a writing question about Disappearing High Streets. Then plan and write your own article. Choice of two writing tasks (for Level 1-2 Functional Skills English). 

• Gambling and the National Lottery 
• How to get children off their computers and more active 

Editor's notes

This is just what other Functional English teachers need: I think it’s so important for learners to have realistic exemplar/model pieces of writing so they know what they’re aiming for. Also useful for ESOL.

Written in and inspired by the July 22 heatwave where temperatures in the UK exceeded 40 degrees! 

Three texts about hot weather and its effects on the body. Questions start at Entry Level 1 and progress to Level 2. L1-2 Learners will still need to access the Entry Level texts as the final questions involve comparing two or more texts. 

This resource is based on the DfES ESOL Skills for Life recording 'Phoning about symptoms'. It gives exam practice questions (C&G style) in the first section and in the second section an activity to enable learners to tune in to the sounds of English. The first section can be completed in class and the second at home or the whole sheet can be given for homework. Listening development at home enables learners to listen as often as they wish and tune in until they hear the text more clearly.

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).

This was produced as practice assessment material for a group of learners working towards E3 Functional English (with City & Guilds). They were struggling with producing the writing in the time allowed so we practised several short, sharp topics. Planning methods were tackled separately.

Editor’s note
Fully mapped to the E2-L1 Functional English writing criteria.

A truly functional set of everyday reading and writing tasks based on medicine instructions. Activities include:

• reading comprehension questions
• matching instructions to the correct tube/bottle/packet
• writing instructions
• cloze exercise
• word search
  Fully mapped to E2 Functional English and with extra teaching tips.

Easter themed L1 exam-style multiple choice fraction questions.
Very similar to, and adapted from, from Maria’s Valentine’s Party questions (see below).

Living in Poverty is a thought provoking article from the Nursing Times. It is used in this literacy initial assessment for possible Access to Healthcare students. The accompanying questions are designed to check whether students are working at level 2 standards and can follow an argument, summarise information, recognise bias, distinguish between fact and opinion, and write using supporting evidence.