Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

A simplified adjectives resource that I created to use with E1/E2 learners to introduce them to writing a description of something. Students should be encouraged to provide one describing word each that can be displayed on the whiteboard before discussing the term adjective.

This resource covers what an adjective is with underlining and cloze writing exercises to build knowledge before students attempt to write a description of two pictures. The descriptions of the pictures can be basic but students should be encouraged to use full sentences.

A simplified reading comprehension based on the origins of Halloween with accompanying questions.
Two versions: one for E2 – low E3, another for high E3 – L1.

A simplified reading about cyclones with reference to the two cyclones in Australia in February 2015 followed by some exercises. The exercises are at different levels to meet the very different abilities of students in my class.

Editor’s note
Lovely selection of reading materials and exercises – includes fill-in tables, questions, word searches (two levels), and a blank map to add cyclone paths. E1-E3.

Update (28/2/15)
Small error in wind speed chart now corrected.

Reading comprehension based on a BBC website report of New Year round the world. The first part requires specific answers (i.e. Shanghai rather than China) to require learners to think about their answers rather than copy out general lumps of text. The second part asks higher level, more analytical questions.
I am using as an introductory topic to New Year sessions.

Editor’s note
A simplified E2 version of this resource is now available – scroll down to See also.

This is a series of short job ads for a hotel (+ one for a school caretaker). Simple language and uncluttered layout..
Good for introduction to language of employment. I have used these with E1 to E3 and they work well as a differentiated resource

Higher levels can gauge implict information, especially for the school caretaker advert in writing covering application letters to include attributes such as working with children, being trustworthy and reliable etc)

A fun starter or plenary activity for the Christmas season to revise spelling of cardinal numbers. The worksheet contains a version of the traditional Christmas lyrics with all the cardinal numbers replaced by gaps for students to complete, thus gaining practice in spelling the numbers 1 to 12, as required by Cambridge Progression Entry Level 1 Sentence Unit. Students are then prompted to write the remaining numbers up to 20, as required by Cambridge Progression Entry Level 2 Sentence Unit.

A short description of the famous Australian horse race followed by comprehension questions. Includes suggested answers.

This is an exercise designed to have learners find particular information in a table. They then have to enter some information on circuit details forms – they also have to use an atlas or similar to identify the correct national flag for each circuit.

This is a popular resource for all-male classes where they already may have an interest in Formula One. It can make a great classroom display as well. As an extension, they have “plotted” the circuits on a blank world map, which helps for general knowledge/geography.

An E3-L1 Functional Skills reading resource modelled on C&G assessments. The activities are based around two documents, one from the BBC news website and the other a leaflet advertising a private police service. May prompt discussion on the nature of crime, punishment and the role of the police force in society.

This is a news article about the sinking of the Costa Concordia. It is focused on an account of the situation as reported by the local mayor.
The article is accompanied by questions about what might be inferred from the account, what might be the mayor’s opinion and whether or not the account is biased. The questions have been used with adults studying for Edexcel Functional Skills at Level 2.