Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

Displaying 1 - 10 of 38 resources:

An extract from When I Was Ten (Fiona Cummins 2021) with questions 1, 2, 3 and 4. AQA Paper One-style exam practice. 

Editor's Note

Another wonderful text extract from Matthew Ruddle. If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it. 
Ideal for exam practice and revision. 

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE AO4 Evaluate texts critically & support with textual references

AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 exam-style resource with an extract from Last Lesson (by James Goodhand) and Questions 1-4. Also includes hints and tips for each question as well as example answers, so it can be used as a revision resource or as a classroom activity. 

Editor's Note

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE AO4 Evaluate texts critically & support with textual references

GCSE AQA Language Paper 1 Question 3: this resource uses a pop music video (Stay by Shakespears Sister) to help students grasp the concept of analysing fictional texts for structure. Many students struggle to get to grips with the idea of structure; this activity is designed to demonstrate how stories are structured in a more visual way. There's a worksheet with links to three short video clips; students watch each clip and then make notes about what they see in the story (introduction of characters, setting, atmosphere / mood / tone, action, plot, etc). 

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure

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

These three simple resources are aimed for teaching the layout features and conventions of informal and formal letter writing.  There are three templates: 

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
T Levels - embedded maths or English
English
FE E3.20 Use appropriate format & structure inc. appropriate use of headings & bullet points
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
GCSE Writing AO5(b) Organise information using structural and grammatical features
TL - Create texts for different purposes and audiences
ESOL
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Employment skills & Public services

A mixed set of L1-2 reading questions based on an interesting, quite technical article from the European Space Agency site. Some questions are straightforward Level 1 comprehension and vocabulary; others are more challenging and cover tone, style, language and organisational features. There is also a writing question where learners have to stick to a word count and rewrite information from the text in their own words. Might also be useful for low level GCSE. 

With FS curriculum mapping. No answer sheet.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
Context
Science, Nature & Weather
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

A challenging set of reading tasks based on an interesting and complex scientific article from the Guardian. Covers three main area of the L2 Functional English curriculum: reading for detail, language features and tone/style. Also suitable for GCSE and embedded English for T Levels.  

With curriculum mapping. No answer sheet.

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
T Levels - embedded maths or English
English
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
TL - Synthesise information
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
Context
Science, Nature & Weather

I created this resource to try to engage my learners during lockdown. There are two reading tasks based on the same text, which I adapted for level 1 learners by using more basic vocabulary. The reading task can then be followed by the writing a blog task and I have included a step by step sheet to help with the writing task.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
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
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FE WRITING Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
FE Writing composition
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation
TL - Synthesise information
TL - Create texts for different purposes and audiences
Context
Health and safety
News, Politics & Government items

This reading resource is designed for Functional Skills English learners.  It is aimed at level 1 and level 2, although it may be adapted for Entry level 3 also.  The resource is comprised of two texts that suggest how teenagers and young people can look after their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  Text A is adapted from the UNICEF website, and Text B is an informal email written from one worried friend to another.   The questions are written to model the reformed Edexcel Functional Skills exams, and are aimed to gi

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
T Levels - embedded maths or English
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts
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 L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
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 L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
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
TL - Synthesise information
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 Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts
GCSE AO4 Evaluate texts critically & support with textual references
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Mental health, awareness & psychology
News, Politics & Government items

These two lessons explore the Windrush Scandal. 

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
Context
News, Politics & Government items