Contextual Resources

A paired task that introduces thermometers and reading simple scales.

Short quiz provides useful on-screen practice in recognising adverbs (and reading instructions). You can also print a separate copy of the recipe for reading practice, a paper based activity (or to cook it!).

To run the quiz unzip the files (select “Extract all files”) into a new folder and click on l1adverbhotpot. Do not try to run directly from the zip folder or you will not see all the graphics and links.

Created with the excellent freeware program Hot Potatoes http://hotpot.uvic.ca/

A great project that covers many L1/2 numeracy elements. You win the lottery, buy a nursery and have to furnish it from catalogues and/or Internet sites.
Learn about budgeting, displaying data, working with areas and floor plans, bank statements, rounding, estimating, and much more. Everything must be written up as a comprehensive report with a clear conclusion (a great guidance page on report writing is included in the resource).

A 16 piece triangular jigsaw puzzle where pairs or small groups of learners must match 18 words to their correct definitions. Use as an ice breaker or plenary activity. Guaranteed to create promote discussion as learners solve puzzle (best laminated). As usual with Tarsia puzzles, you can choose to print a standard or large puzzle (select Output – large, i.e. 3 pieces per A4 sheet).

Major update June 2021 Wimbledon is a text for E2-3 with comprehension, dictionary and sentence-writing questions followed by alphabetical ordering work on the men’s/women’s top seeds. Now with 2021 lists of seeds, new questions and Reformed Functional Skills English mapping. 
Editor’s note

A substantial L2 non-fiction text with some technical vocabulary. It includes many comprehension questions – some short with closed answers, others require critical, thoughtful answers. Summarising and proof reading skills are also covered.
Plus a substantial follow-up writing task with very useful planner and paragraph drafting pages (these could be used for planning and drafting any extensive piece of writing).

Two great activities (one long and detailed – suitable for 2-3 sessions; one shorter and quicker, for a single session) ideal for E3-L1 literacy and ESOL students of all ages. Includes step by step detailed session plans which cover speaking and listening (interviewing), reading and writing skills.
The overall idea is to interview people and then plan their perfect holiday – showing the results as a poster or display. An interview sheet is included.

A fabulous set of differentiated reading activities for E1-E3. Order sentences to make a gruesome story, read and answer questions on manual handling (inc. graphical information), enjoy an amusing story about a health and safety inspector or a topical news report.

A series of comprehension questions based on an Asda recipe from their shopping web site.
http://www.asdamagazine.com/home/food/recipes/view?rid=145
It’s also an ideal way of familiarising learners with instructional texts / web pages.

A super presentation full of useful tips for writing your CV, answering the telephone, taking messages, etc. Use in conjunction with Steve’s CV templates (see below).