Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

Clear handout explaining the basics of punctuating direct speech. Split into three sections: the speech marks, the remaining punctuation, and the use of a new paragraph / line for each new speaker.
Each section has an accompanying set of exercises.
Mapped to the Functional English criteria and adult literacy curriculum elements.

This wonderful pack of differentiated resources is ideal for mixed ability classes from Entry 1 through to Level 2. It takes the learner through:

• the layout of formal and informal letters
• formal and informal language
• typical vocabulary for formal letters
• sentences and paragraphs
• writing a range of letters
• revision and/or assessment exercises

Includes writing prompts, task sheets, matching /sorting cards, and a many cut and stick exercises.

Fully mapped to the Functional English writing criteria.

One handout with the main rules of using speech marks and one worksheet for learners to practise applying these rules.

I used these with a strong L1 literacy group who had little prior knowledge of the rules for speech marks. They generally did well with re-writing some unpunctuated sentences I gave them but got a bit confused with the attached exercise on Prince William and Kate Middleton (they used speech marks inside the speech bubbles). This may need to be demonstrated in front of the group first. However, it did produce some very funny writing.

This activity introduce the concepts of paragraphing, the key features of a paragraph and then allows the learner to have a go at paragraphing a piece of text. The text is a challenging extract from Grand Designs magazine. Answer sheet included.

A literacy resource for learners to find words containing long A sounds made by different digraphs. This resource was written as a pairs activity although it can equally be an individual one. There are four pieces of texts each using words containing predominantly one particular digraph – ai, ey, ay, or eigh. Learners can then search for other long A sounds formed from different clusters within the same text. Peer marking and plenary extend the learning.

A handy one page reminder about when (and when not) to use capital letters.

A useful one page reminder about using apostrophes of omission and possession.

A really useful handout with an example text that clearly demonstrates how readers can use both context and knowledge of word roots / prefixes / etc to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary without using a dictionary or glossary. The sample technical text is about gliding.

Cheerful, visual reminders to learners about checking their writing. Two versions – one for E3-L1, one for L2, etc.). They also make good handouts.

Questioning for understanding is a really useful help sheet that encourages learners to ask relevant questions (any topic, any level). Based on Kipling’s “What and Why and When, And How and Where and Who” with teaching ideas and useful links.

For a related resource using the same idea to investigate and write newspaper reports please see Ellie Walsh’s Looking at Newspapers (below).