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.

A poem on the theme of neighbourhoods.  Can be used as a reading and pronunciation exercise or may be extended to include a discussion around housing, traffic, local communities or recycling.

Editor's notes

Super for many levels and situations - includes suggested questions and discussion prompts.

Additional DARTs (directed activities related to text) developed to be used with the My Busy Day/Housework  E1/2 reading text written by Laurence Fletcher in 2010 and further adaptations by Nafisah Graham-Brown in 2012.

Editor's notes

 Three delightful E1 worksheets with a focus on sentence structure (rearranging sentences and splitting sentences up into individual words).

Slides designed to support delivery of Gateway's EDSQ (Essential Digital Skills Qualification), Unit 5 (Being Safe and Responsible Online) at Entry Level 3 and Level 1, with embedded Functional Skills English activities at L1 and L2. This set of slides includes skills from sections 3 (Communication) .  The slides cover: how to report safety concerns, public Wi-Fi, Health and Safety and other online risks. Also many useful links to YouTube videos and other online learning applications. 

Two texts on the theme of Ableist slurs and language accompanied by a selection of reading practice questions written in the style of Edexcel reading papers at Level 2. Includes SOME Level 1 style questions, too.

Editor's notes

Two topical and thought-provoking texts that would also make a excellent prompts for discussion on ableist language. Text 1 (Guardian) is short (could be used for Level 1) and reports on Lizzo's removal of an ableist slur from her new song.

A series of Level 2 reading exam practice questions, written in the style of Edexcel, using a short text on the sexist branding of football boots (boots for boys).

Editor's notes

A very useful, topical and thought-provoking text that would also make a good discussion prompt. 14 reading questions covering organisational and language features, vocabulary and synonyms, main points and detail, fact/opinion and recognising informal language. 

Updated 24/3/22 10.30pm the writing resource is now available for download again. Apologies for any frustration. 11/3/22 3.00pm (typo fixed, page 3 question 8 writing assessment paper)

Two mega-sized Entry Level 1 Functional English assessments with a Mother's Day theme. Modelled closely on the Pearson-Edexcel assessments (but 1.5 times the size! ) but ideal pre-exam practice for any Awarding Organisation. 

An interactive onscreen exercise plus two printable versions, created in Wordwall, to celebrate International Women's Day (IWD) 2022.  IWD is held on March 8th  every year. In the on-screen version learners must drag each label to the correct area of the text. The first printable version is similar except learner must draw a line from each label to the correct spot on the text. The second version is more challenging (and may have more than one  set of correct answers!) as, in addition, the learner must describe each of the 12 features

What is the International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination? Why is it important and what can we learn from it?
Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about the importance of racial equality while building their English skills.

What are gender roles and how do they impact our daily lives? What changes can we make, and how? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about gender roles and their wider impact while building their English skills.

Editor's note