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.

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. 

Does the UK have a Food Waste problem and how is this impacting our environment? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about the environment and the impact of food-waste while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Letter writing task to be used after a letter writing layout and paragraphing session has been taught, to assess understanding and readiness for a writing exam. This task is aimed at students undertaking Construction/Customer Service related courses alongside Functional Skills.

Editor's notes

Ideal exam practice for all L1-2 learners but particularly those in construction. For a more scaffolded approach use with a formal letter template (look under See also for examples).

Read the extract from 'Are cat cafes good for cats?' and then answer the comprehension questions. When you have finished, complete the writing task.

Editor's note

Covers many E3-L1 content descriptors including: main points and detail, purpose of text, using punctuation to aid understanding, language features, dictionary/vocabulary work and  distinguishing between fact and option. Ideal for mixed level groups. Each question is mapped to the relevant subject content descriptor. 

Speaking and listening, reading and writing  activities focusing on one of the possible Edexcel FS English exam contexts.  

Editor's note

With useful key vocabulary tables. The reading focus is purpose, tone and language features. The final task is to write an article about buying a new car. 

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)

The main resource has four pages. Three of the pages contain a chart and a brief to a group of students to discuss and write some sentences saying what the chart tells them. The twist is that each group of 3 students has a different chart drawn from the same data as the groups next to them. The fourth page has the table from which the charts were drawn.

The charts used are: dual/clustered bar chart comparing types of drink sold on two days. A stacked/composite bar chart and a percentage bar chart of the same data.

Text about the 99p shop chain with comprehension questions, cloze exercise, writing numbers as words and more.

The text and picture are adapted from the wonderful First News site and the 99p Store site.

Writing a formal letter (in order to arrange an interview with a local hospitality provider) provides all key points as a mindmap and (for linear thinkers) as a bulleted list. Plus layout guide and a ‘jumbled sheet’ to sort out! Suitable for all areas – not just catering/hospitality.