Contextual Resources

A set of Entry Level tasks - all based on a vending machine. The main focus is money but positional vocabulary is also covered. Skills covered include: recognising letters and numbers for items in a vending machine, identifying coins to pay with, working out change from £1,  checking answers, rounding and estimating, distinguishing between right and left.

Editor's note

A delightfully functional resource. With teaching notes. Fully mapped to the Reformed Functional Skills content.

Here are few things on cooking verbs and recipes for E1-E2 ESOL and Entry Level 1 Functional English classes. Includes reading, spelling and saying the letters of the alphabet. Includes a recipe for pancakes but useful at any time of year.

Editor's notes

Fully mapped to the new Reformed Functional English content.

A set of six linked, differentiated texts about Valentine’s Day, with associated writing assessments.

Two texts and two writing tasks for Entry 1 and for Entry 2. One text and two writing tasks for E3, and one of each at Level 1.

Reading texts: an email, a recipe, a competition, a menu, a press release about a fun fair and a florist’s advert.
Writing tasks include form filling, an email, a restaurant review, a set of craft instructions, and a competition entry.

Answers will be available (to site contributors only) from late February 2018

Worksheet designed to revise / practise collocations of food.

A speaking and listening activity designed to practise asking where food items are in a supermarket. Also involves practise with the numbers 1 to 8.
The sheet is repeated five times – with food items in different positions (numbered supermarket aisles) on each sheet.

Linked to Cambridge Pre-entry ESOL Activities 7a Excuse me …

Write or match the correct word under each picture.
Milk, bread, oil, tea, eggs, potatoes, bananas, and biscuits.

This is a series of short job ads for a hotel (+ one for a school caretaker). Simple language and uncluttered layout..
Good for introduction to language of employment. I have used these with E1 to E3 and they work well as a differentiated resource

Higher levels can gauge implict information, especially for the school caretaker advert in writing covering application letters to include attributes such as working with children, being trustworthy and reliable etc)

Editor's note (18.11.19)  - download PDFs temporarily removed for minor corrections and updated mapping

A short reading text for beginners, followed by fill the gap sentences. Two sheets – one for British students and one for Australian students.

First used with a group of E1-E2 numeracy students who had done an ICT based project involving cookery work and visiting a cafe to buy a snack. Print on A4 and fold into a very nice A5 leaflet.
The self assessment check boxes focus on basic money skills (recognising coins, giving change – but also slecting items from a list, weighing, etc.) but there is also the opportunity to link learning to numeracy at home or at college. Ideal for Entry Functional maths / catering / hospitality students.