25/1/2022 15:55 updated: ambiguity removed from Q12 (purpose of commas) & answer sheet now available
St Dwynwen's Day is celebrated every year on January 25 and is often referred to as the "Welsh St Valentine's Day". Learn more about the history of Dwynwen whilst consolidating many aspects of Functional English reading including: purpose, style, identifying meaning, vocabulary and dictionary work, organisational features, main points and detail, and using punctuation to aid understanding.
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
Two pages of extra questions for our very popular "John's Crazy Socks" resource by Eleanor Kliffen (Jan 2018). Ideal for homework or stretch & challenge. Questions are mixed levels with a focus on *parts of speech, punctuation and grammar (tense). Language features are also touched upon.
Editor's note
Although parts of speech are not specifically covered in the FS Content descriptors, a basic knowledge of nouns, verbs and subjects can be very useful when teaching sentence structure.
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE E3.15 Use mostly correct grammar e.g. subject-verb agreement, consistent use of tense, definite & indefinite articles
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
Short, sweet and very useful 1 page worksheet / handout reminding learners when to use full stops, question marks and exclamation marks. Followed by two short tasks.
Detailed Entry Level Functional English mapping is available in a separate PDF file.
Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E2.13 Use basic punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question, exclamation marks)
Two sets of differentiated texts and reading questions based on a news article about a local radio station (Bromyard FM). The subject matter still relevant even if the lockdown is (hopefully!) a thing of the past.
Editor's note
The E1 version has simplified vocabulary and sentence structure and has 4 multiple choice questions that cover all three E1 reading criteria. The E2-E3 version has a longer more complex text with six questions (not multiple choice) mostly covering 'main points and ideas'.
Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
FE E1.8 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 1
FE E2.7 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E3.8 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E1.9 Read simple sentences containing one clause
FE E2.11 Read & understand sentences with more than one clause
Topical form filling practice. Encourage your learners to enter the Platinum Pudding Competition to celebrate the Queen's 70th year on the throne. In addition to requiring personal information, it also provide practice writing compound sentences. Adapted and simplified from the official form on the Fortnum and Mason web site.
Editor's note
Look out for more Platinum Jubilee resources in the near future.
Level
Entry Level 2
English
FE E2.18 Complete a form asking for personal information (e.g. first name, surname, address, postcode, age, date of birth)
FE E2.19 Write in compound sentences, using common conjunctions to connect clauses
Use the family tree to help write simple and compound sentences about your family. Written for E1-2 ESOL but also suitable for E1-2 Functional English.
Editor's notes
A lovely way to reinforce sentence structure and basic punctuation, and (for ESOL) teach key family words such as cousin, grandmother, nephew, etc. Worksheet with detailed mapping and sample answers available in a separate document.
Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E1.11 Punctuate simple sentences with capital letter & full stop
FE E1.12 Use capital letter for pronoun ‘I’ and proper nouns
FE E1.13 Use lower-case letters when there is no reason to use capital letters
FE E2.13 Use basic punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question, exclamation marks)
FE 1.16 Communicate information in words, phrases & simple sentences
FE E2.17 Communicate information using words & phrases appropriate to audience & purpose
FE E2.19 Write in compound sentences, using common conjunctions to connect clauses
ESOL
ESOL Ws/E1.1a Construct a simple sentence, using basic word order & verb form
ESOL Ws/E1.2a Use basic punctuation to show where sentences begin and end
ESOL Ws/E1.3a Use basic punctuation to write about oneself using "I"
ESOL Ws/E2.1a Construct simple and compound sentences
ESOL Ws/E2.3a Use correct punctuation, e.g. capital letters, full stops, question marks
ESOL Ws/E2.4a Use a capital letter for proper nouns
NEW 8/2/22 answer sheet now also available - visit our ANSWER SHEETS page for more information.
New 27/1/2022 A related interactive Wordwall activity (organisational and textual features) is now available to accompany this resource.
A hastily put-together New Year resource based on a short Guardian article about the record breaking temperatures experienced in the UK on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
Maths
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM E2.11 Read, write & use decimals to one decimal place
FM L1.11 Add, subtract, multiply & divide decimals up to 2 decimal places
Functional Skills English slides on comparing texts - part of my Skills Building Series.
This resource explores the fundamental skills to support learners in achieving success with the comparison question in the Edexcel Functional Skills English Level 1 and 2 Exam papers. It provides learners with opportunities to practice their comparison skills using images, videos (audio with lyrics) and short texts.
Editor's notes
Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
GCSE Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts
Reading: Read to obtain detailed information. Organisational features. Punctuation. Writers choice of words.
Writing. Write a structurally objective report with correct punctuation and ambitious vocabulary.
Editor's notes
An interesting and challenging resource for Levels 1 and 2. Love the way the writing task encourages the use of specialist/technical/advanced vocabulary.
No answer sheet.
Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.8 Make relevant and constructive contributions to move discussion forward
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
Functional English - writing
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format & structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
FE L2.26 Convey clear meaning & establish cohesion using organisational markers effectively
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
