Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

This resource was previously presented as ‘A Day in the Life of Jane’ (no longer available). It has been revised and updated with changes to the texts and rearranged as one downloadable file. The texts are suitable for E3-L1 ESOL and Functional Skills English.

Part of the Jane collection. 

Editor's notes

A variety of reading texts with a range of purposes and formats (article, letter, email, application form, etc.).
This resource has no answer sheet. 

This is a set of reading and SPaG exercises suitable for E1-E2 ESOL. 

Six short,  simple texts with exercises similar to those a learner may find in the assessment papers. The texts may be given as a pack or individually. 

In addition to reading comprehension questions, activities include: form filling, reading a simple map (to give directions), a job application, alphabetic order and matching symbols /signs to their meanings.

Editor's notes

This resource looks at the apostrophe using a different approach. Focusing on an understanding of the practical use of the apostrophe, this methodology (the apostrophe is placed at the end of a spelling)  is easy to understand and never fails, unlike the rather complex grammatical approach (plural possessive etc) it promotes understanding and correct real-life usage.

Use the PowerPoint first. You may need more than one session. Explain and expand as you go and always check understanding before moving on.

Mnemonics for writing numbers as words. This is a list of numbers from 1 to 20 and then 30,40,50.60,70,80,90,100. To be dipped into when a particular number's spelling is a struggle to remember. 

Editor's notes

A fun set of mnemonics - especially useful for those tricky numbers such as four, fourteen and forty; twelve and eighteen. Also makes a good introduction when encouraging learners to make up their own mnemonics. 

This resource is aimed at Entry Level ESOL and/ Functional English. It discusses the widespread use of lithium batteries, the dangers they pose and how to dispose of them safely.

Part of the Living in the UK series.

This resource covers the difficult but very real issue of domestic abuse. The information is provided sensitively and includes information and questions about Clare's Law, and an invented but realistic situation. 

Discretion is advised but it is an important and often sidestepped safeguarding issue. Whilst there is a plethora of information, I found not all of it was suitable nor accessible enough for meeting the needs of my learners. 

A look at some of the most annoying pests that invade our homes. This article looks at fruit flies and gnats. With reading and SPaG questions, plus two differentiated writing tasks. Suggested range is higher E3 to L1.

This is a large multi-page resource (12 pages, plus a shorter document with 2 sets of matching cards and a self-assessment checklist). Aimed at L1-L2 Functional English but also useful for GCSE. 

The main document includes: