A poem on the theme of urban nature. Can be used as a reading and pronunciation exercise or may be extended to include a discussion around nature and wildlife, living in different environments or climate change.
Editor's notes
Super for many levels and situations - includes a list of suggested questions/prompts.
Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Poetry
FE SL&C Discussion
FE READING and understanding words
ESOL
ESOL Speak clearly & with appropriate register
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL: Follow/participate in exchanges or discussions
A poem on the theme of shopping and food. Can be used as a reading and pronunciation exercise or may be extended to include a discussion around shops, using technology, buying local produce and community spirit.
Editor's notes
Super for many levels and situations - includes a list of suggested questions/prompts.
Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Poetry
FE SL&C Discussion
FE READING and understanding words
ESOL
ESOL Speak clearly & with appropriate register
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL: Follow/participate in exchanges or discussions
A short poem on the theme of food. Can be used as a reading and pronunciation exercise or may be extended to include a discussion around food production and carbon footprint or the ethics of food choices. Could also be used as a basis for written work.
Editor's notes
I love this because it works on so many different levels!
Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Poetry
FE SL&C Discussion
FE READING and understanding words
ESOL
ESOL Speak clearly & with appropriate register
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL: Follow/participate in exchanges or discussions
I absolutely love these starter quiz templates for L1 Functional Skills Maths and L1-L2 Functional English from Pearson Edexcel and Jonny Kay. The main link below sends you to an PDF overview - scroll to the end of the PDF for direct links to the templates and sample quizzes.
This lesson is based around the story of Birkenhead resident Charlie Wright, who famously refused to leave his house when the local council decided to demolish the estate around it. Students have the opportunity to discuss themes of community, identity and change. Students watch a short documentary about Charlie from the BBC archives and answer comprehension questions. Charlie's story provides a context for a role play task whereby learners have to decide how best to regenerate Charlie's lost neighbourhood.
Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information & lines of argument in explanations & presentations
FE L1.2 Make requests & ask relevant questions to obtain specific information
FS Eng L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L2.2 Follow narratives & lines of argument
FE L2.3 Respond effectively to detailed or extended questions & feedback
FE L2.4 Make requests & ask detailed & pertinent questions to obtain specific information in a range of contexts
FS Eng L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
ESOL
ESOL Sc/L1.2b Ask for information
ESOL Sc/L1.4a Present information and ideas in a logical sequence
ESOL Sd/L1.2a Express views and opinions
ESOL Lr/L1.1a Extract information from texts of varying genre, e.g. radio, TV
ESOL Lr/L1.1b extract relevant information from a narrative or explanation face-to-face or on the telephone, and respond
ESOL Rw/L1.2a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different types of text, using appropriate strategies to work out meaning
ESOL Sc/L2.3b Ask for information
ESOL Sc/L2.4a Express statements of fact
ESOL Sc/L2.5a Present information & ideas in a logical sequence and provide further detail and development to clarify or confirm understanding
ESOL Lr/L2.1a Extract information from extended texts in a non-face-to-face context, e.g. radio
ESOL Lr/L2.4a Follow and participate in a discussion or conversation
A lovely engaging story with a wide range of reading questions, three writing tasks (article/blog, letter, description) and a discussion prompt.
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE SL&C Discussion
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
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 L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE WRITING Use format, structure & language (to meet purpose & audience)
L1 and L2 Functional Skills English (City and Guilds) - tips on how to write a narrative and two writing tasks. (The second task is from City and Guilds.)
Editor's note
Really useful guidance - suitable for all FS awarding bodies - with equally useful follow-up tasks.
Checklist designed to support delivery of Gateway's EDSQ (Essential Digital Skills Qualification) E3 and L1. This list allows learners, and staff, to rate their confidence with each element of the qualification at each unit (1-5).
Editor's notes
An essential piece of kit for those embarking on EDS teaching. Love the 4 tier "traffic light" system. Written for Gateway but useful for all awarding bodies.
Level 2 practice paper on News Consumption that uses Functional Texts for English with Edexcel. Mark scheme included.
Editor's notes
An exceptional and very topical resource with widespread appeal for all age groups. In the exact style of a Level 2 Pearson-Edexcel Exam paper so ideal as a mock or practice paper (also exceedingly useful ideal for Functional English revision no matter which Awarding Body is being used).
Level
Level 2
English
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L2.13 Identify implicit & inferred meaning in texts
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
