Functional Skills English slides on comparing texts - part of my Skills Building Series.
This resource explores the fundamental skills to support learners in achieving success with the comparison question in the Edexcel Functional Skills English Level 1 and 2 Exam papers. It provides learners with opportunities to practice their comparison skills using images, videos (audio with lyrics) and short texts.
Editor's notes
Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
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
GCSE Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts
Social Media - AI behind the scenes slides exploring: how many people use social media and the algorithms running behind the scenes; the fact that we are being 'watched' and the concept that 'if you're not paying for the product, then YOU are the product'. Slides also explore DeepMind, Google Autocomplete and the idea that smartphones are making us dumber.
Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L2.2 Follow narratives & lines of argument
FS Eng L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FS Eng L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
GCSE English Spoken language AO8 Listen and respond
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE Reading AO1b Select & synthesise evidence from different texts
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Writing AO5(b) Organise information using structural and grammatical features
Resource focusing on the question 'Is the internet an addictive drug?' The PowerPoint consists a video link and written stimulus to evoke thought and discussion. Looking at the relationship we have with our phones versus people; our use of internet enabled devices, 'every minute of every day' and Social Media depression.
Editor's note
Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE SL&C Discussion
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information & lines of argument in explanations & presentations
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 L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L2.2 Follow narratives & lines of argument
FS Eng L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FS Eng L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
GCSE English Spoken language AO8 Listen and respond
A lesson to build learners' confidence to make meaning from texts, introducing the terminology: theme, motif, symbol and metaphor.
The song uses quite simple language, which means the focus instead is on deeper analysis. It prompted really interesting discussions in our class, and tied to our theme of new beginnings and goal setting at the start of a new term.
Editor's note
Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L2.13 Identify implicit & inferred meaning in texts
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
The video gives an opportunity to listen for gist and detail, and is followed by a focus on sentence stress and intonation.
The article gives an opportunity for learners to analyse the purpose of the text and look at persuasive techniques, and is accompanied by a vocabulary from context exercise.
Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L2.2 Follow narratives & lines of argument
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
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 L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
ESOL
ESOL Lr/L1.1a Extract information from texts of varying genre, e.g. radio, TV
ESOL Lr/L1.2e Listen for phonological detail
ESOL Lr/L1.6b Follow a discussion without participating e.g. on TV
ESOL Lr/L2.1a Extract information from extended texts in a non-face-to-face context, e.g. radio
ESOL Lr/L2.2a Listen to a narrative or conversation
ESOL Lr/L2.2e Listen for phonological detail
ESOL Rw/L1.2a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different types of text, using appropriate strategies to work out meaning
ESOL Rt/L1.2a Know how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes
ESOL Rw/L2.3a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different text types
ESOL Rt/L2.2a Identify the purposes of a wide range of texts, whether inferred or explicitly stated
A great 2.5 hr differentiated lesson plan complete with resources including ordering and matching worksheets and cards, simple spelling sheet, healthy eating chart (please download the accompanying Excel file – see below). The main topic is making an omelette and the lesson includes sequencing, letters, word recognition and building, and simple sentences. You will also need food leaflets from supermarkets, plastic or wooden letters and a tape recorder.
Level
M7
M8
Entry Level 1
English
AL Rw/E1.1 Have limited, meaningful sight vocabulary of words, signs, symbols
Ws/E1.1
Pre-entry
pre-Entry Rtc/M8.3 When working with texts communicate about persons, characters, events, objects
pre-Entry Rs/M8.1 Understand that words are grouped together to convey meaning, using rules & structure
pre-Entry Rw/M7.1 Recognise most letters of the alphabet on any given occasion.
pre-Entry Rw/M7.3 Recognise & select up to ten personal words, signs, symbols
pre-Entry Rw/M8.1Recognise letters of the alphabet by shape, name, sound
pre-Entry Rw/M8.3 Recognise & read a growing no. of words signs symbols
pre-Entry Wt/M7.2 Use words/signs/symbols/images & match their meanings to objects, people, places
pre-Entry Wt/M8.4 Use words, letters, signs, symbols & images in supported writing for simple purposes
pre-Entry Ws/M8.1 Understand that words are grouped together to convey meaning, using rules & structure
pre-Entry Ww/M8.2 Associate sounds with patterns in some letters, syllables. words, rhymes, songs
5 hand drawn storyboards – shopping, holidays, swimming, getting-up and a bank robbery! Pictures can be cut up, muddled and re-sequenced; simple sentences written out to match with pictures; sentences written in the present to be changed to past tense (ESOL); write sentences then join with conjunctions e.g. then, next; or simply as prompts for conversation and discussion.
Level
M7
M8
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
Ws/E1.1
Ws/E2.1
Wt/E1.1
Wt/E2.1
Pre-entry
pre-Entry SLlr/M8.2 Listen to & answer simple questions about personal details/experiences/events & narratives
pre-Entry SLlr/M8.4 Listen to and follow simple and brief narratives
