Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

Displaying 1 - 10 of 140 resources:

Drill Music - Can Violent Lyrics Cause Violent Behaviour?

A double lesson Power Point with Level 1 and Level 2 reading and writing questions. The lesson explores the controversy around violent music and the relationship between music and behaviour. You Tube links  add detail and context to the debate in an engaging and thought provoking way. Lesson 1 focuses on the Reading exam with Level 1 and Level 2 questions that can be displayed on the board to reduce printing. Texts A and B explore the two sides of Drill music and its influence on young people.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FS Eng L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FS Eng L1.5 Express opinions and arguments and support them with evidence
FE E2.5 Clearly express straightforward information & communicate feelings / opinions
FS Eng L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
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
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
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 L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
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 L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

The Runner: L1-2 ESOL mini quiz (in Google Forms)

Originally used as a diagnostic tool for Level 2 ESOL at the beginning of term - a short 'quiz' created in Google forms about The Runner poem submitted by Jean Morten (2023) You don't need to log into Google to complete it but if you do you can make a copy and adapt it for your own learners, and your own email address to collect responses, etc. 

Editor's notes

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Poetry
ESOL
ESOL Reading (R)
General ESOL

Unscramblerer dictionary - Word of the Day and other resources

I like this - it's very well executed - even though I'm not sure exactly how it could be used within a Functional Skills English classroom. I receive many suggested links and mostly ignore them (due to them not being free or not being useful for Functional Skills). However, I always have a soft spot for "Words of the Day" as they can make great warm up activties at almost any level.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E2.10 Use effective strategies to find words meanings & check spelling e.g. simple dictionary, spell-checker
FE E3.8 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

Language Feature spotting (Q10 L2 Edexcel)

How to answer the language features question on the Edexcel Pearson Level 2 Functional Skills reading paper.

Editor's notes

Clearly explains what is expected in order to Answer Q10 (most sections of the slideshow also work well with FS from other awarding organisations) and how it is marked. Followed by questions for the learner (answers provided at the end) 3.5 minute slideshow. No voice over.

Level
Level 2
English
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes

Comparing texts (Q13 L2 Edexcel paper)

How to answer Question 13 in the Edexcel Pearson Level 2 Functional Skills English reading exam.

Editor's notes

Really detailed and helpful advice on answering this tricky question that is worth 6 points!  5 minute slideshow. No voice over

 

Level
Level 2
English
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
General
Exam tips and help

Using Speech Marks in Expert Opinions

How to use speech marks specifically for the L2 Functional Skills (FS) English Writing Exams with Edexcel / Pearson. How and why to use expert opinions, and when to use commas.(FS) 

Editor's note

Level
Level 2
English
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks

Language Features Glossary

A comprehensive glossary of language features with examples and the opportunity for students to think of or write their own examples.

Editor's notes

4 minute slideshow with background music. Covers 12 features and helpfully explains the purpose of each and/or why it can be effective.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
ESOL
ESOL Rt/L1.2a Know how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes

L1 Fact and Opinion guide

How to identify facts and opinions at level 1 in prep for Functional Skills Reading exam (with some tips for how these skills can be used in a piece of writing too!).

Editor's notes

You tube: 3 minute slideshow with voice over - I especially like the tip about looking out for adjectives.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion

Language Feature spotting video (Eurovision edition!)

Language feature spotting in songs - Eurovision through the ages edition! 8 songs that have all won Eurovision and use various language features. Suitable for L1 and L2.

Editor's note

Very topical and jolly 3 minute video.  Lyrics appear clearly, word by word, on screen. Covers rhetorical questions, simile, repetition and more. Teachers will probably want to watch in advance and formulate their own question prompts. PS. Some of these songs made me feel old!

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Speedo Mick

This lesson gives students the opportunity to discuss fundraising and practise reading skills (scanning and reading for detail). The reading text focuses on Mick Cullen, also known as ‘SpeedoMick’, and his long distance walks for charity. The lesson encourages students to try to empathise with Mick and better understand his background, character and motivations. Themes of mental health are also prominent and so it is advised you check with your learners first/use your own professional judgement before doing the optional video task.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information & lines of argument in explanations & presentations
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L2.2 Follow narratives & lines of argument
FE L1.3 Respond effectively to detailed questions
FE L2.3 Respond effectively to detailed or extended questions & feedback
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.8 Make relevant and constructive contributions to move discussion forward
ESOL
ESOL Rt/L1.3a Understand how main points and specific detail are presented and linked
ESOL Rt/L1.5a Use skimming, scanning and detailed reading in different ways for different purposes
ESOL Rt/L2.3a Identify the main points and specific detail in different types of text of varying lengths & detail
ESOL Rt/L2.7a Use different reading strategies to find and obtain information, e.g. skimming, scanning, detailed reading
ESOL Lr/L1.1a Extract information from texts of varying genre, e.g. radio, TV
ESOL Lr/L1.5a Respond to questions on a range of topics
ESOL Lr/L2.1a Extract information from extended texts in a non-face-to-face context, e.g. radio
ESOL Lr/L2.3a Respond to detailed or extended questions on a range of topics
ESOL Sd/L1.2a Express views and opinions
ESOL Sd/L1.1c Express likes, dislikes, feelings, hopes, etc.
ESOL Sd/L2.2c Express views, opinions, feelings, wishes
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community
Mental health, awareness & psychology