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.
This is a game to form new words using syllables.All these words have three parts to them and multiple words can be made using different parts in different order
I have used this with L1 and L2 learners and they love it. I let them work in groups – no more than 5 otherwise it gets a bit too busy and confusing.
You may need to have pre-taught some common prefixes and suffixes and rules; how prefixes never change the spelling of the root word they join, etc..
Root word family cards are two sets of flash cards that can be used to visualise the concept of root words to entry level and L1 students.
The entry level cards contain a number of root words and their word families, with a picture representation of each word. The level one sheet contains a higher level of vocabulary and the pictures have been removed.
Lesson Ideas
Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Prefixes, suffixes & plurals
AL Ww/L1.1 Spell & use spelling strategies
Rw/L1.3
Rw/E3.1
AL Rw/E2.2 Recognise high frequency words & words with common spelling patterns
AL Ww/E3.2 Use phonic knowledge to help spelling
Ww/E2.2
ESOL
ESOL Ww/L1.1a Apply knowledge about vocabulary to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/E3.1a Apply spelling knowledge to a wide range of common & special-interest words
ESOL Ww/E2.1b Use knowledge of sound–symbol relationships & phonological patterns when spelling
ESOL Rw/L1.3a Recognise and understand an increasing range of vocabulary
ESOL Rw/L1.1a Use reference material to find the meaning of unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/E3.5a Use variety of reading strategies to read/understand unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/E3.1a Recognise and understand relevant specialist key words
ESOL Rw/E2.3a Use context & range of phonic / graphic knowledge to decode words
Visual colour-coded resource, explaining the main plural spelling rules. Created for E2/E3 learners, but could also be useful for all visual learners working between E2-L2.
Includes: colour-coded fact sheet, blank table, worksheet and flash cards to cut out and laminate. Could be used for a number of different activities.
Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Prefixes, suffixes & plurals
AL Ww/L1.1 Spell & use spelling strategies
AL Ww/E3.2 Use phonic knowledge to help spelling
ESOL
ESOL Ww/L1.1b Use strategies to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/L1.1a Apply knowledge about vocabulary to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/E3.1a Apply spelling knowledge to a wide range of common & special-interest words
ESOL Ww/E2.1b Use knowledge of sound–symbol relationships & phonological patterns when spelling
A 12 piece follow me game where homophones must be matched to the correct sentence. A good mix of common and more unusual homophones such as preys/praise/prays and there/their/they’re. First used in a Motor Vehicles Functional English group but suitable for any L1-2 English / literacy group.
Guaranteed to create promote discussion as learners play the game (best laminated). As usual with Tarsia puzzles, you can choose to print a standard or large puzzle (select Output – large, i.e. 3 pieces per A4 sheet).
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
AL Ww/L1.1 Spell & use spelling strategies
Homophones, homographs & confusables
ESOL
ESOL Ww/L1.1a Apply knowledge about vocabulary to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/E3.1a Apply spelling knowledge to a wide range of common & special-interest words
From one of our Australian contributors, this makes a good end of term quiz and discussion prompt re. similarities to cockney rhyming slang, informal language, etc.
Challenging multiple choice quiz of vocabulary “borrowed” from other languages such as French, Greek and Italian. Words and phrases include: fait accompli, deja vu, ad hoc, bric-a-brac and many more. Makes a good warm up and could be used with small groups or individually.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Word origins
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)
Rw/L1.3
ESOL
ESOL Rw/L2.3a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different text types
ESOL Rw/L1.3a Recognise and understand an increasing range of vocabulary
A recently designed resource that I wanted to share with my fellow skillsworkshop users. I wanted something to use with my learners as a spelling lesson. I have tried to involve various activities to help motivate and keep interest whilst learning spellings.
Resource includes a cloze exercise, comprehension questions, homophones and plurals, and a final crossword to check skills.