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.

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.

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.

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. :)

In a world where social media is everywhere and in our lives day and night the impact of this on people as individuals can be a mixture of positivity and negativity. For a lot of people the impact of the promotion of having the ‘perfect body’ whether you are male / female can have a devastating impact for example bullying, mental health and worst case scenario suicide.  So how can we improve / promote a more positive image using social media and support m

I created this resource to try to engage my learners during lockdown. There are two reading tasks based on the same text, which I adapted for level 1 learners by using more basic vocabulary. The reading task can then be followed by the writing a blog task and I have included a step by step sheet to help with the writing task.

A topical reading comprehension on Captain Tom's 100th birthday with related writing and SLC (speaking listening and communication) tasks.  There are two versions: one for Entry Level 3 and one for Level 1 (also suitable for L2). Writing tasks include reports and emails (and at Entry 3 - a spelling test). SLC tasks cover short talks with Q&A sessions and discussions. 

Editor's note.

During the Covid-19 lockdown I started working online in Google Classroom and created this L1-2 writing task (and an accompanying introductory presentation) in Google Docs / Slides. Use the presentation to introduce learners (if needed) to Captain Tom and his remarkable achievement for the NHS (national health service) during the Covid-19 crisis.  Slides also provide links to related news articles (important for background information and also for demonstrating the layout and language features of articles).