I am absolutely fascinated by this blog written by Lauren Piovesan, the founder of ESL Reads. Despite spending two decades simplifying texts - a task that I enjoy and sometimes find a challenge - I've never really analysed what I'm doing.
Although written for EAL (English as an Additional Language) teachers this is a useful guide for both experienced and new teachers of ESOL, adult literacy (Functional Skills English) and indeed vocational subjects.
Since the demise of the Excellence Gateway (EG) on September 30 2023, there is no official Government backed website where the old Skills for Life core curricula are available. The EG has (partially) migrated to the Education & Training Foundation (ETF) at https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/ but there is no sign of these classic documents.
How ‘flash’ presentation of social sight vocabulary proved to be motivating. The technique is described and some thoughts about why it seems to have such positive effects on several different levels are offered, and feedback sought.
Level
M8
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
Rw/E2.1
AL Rw/E1.1 Have limited, meaningful sight vocabulary of words, signs, symbols
Pre-entry
pre-Entry Rw/M8.3 Recognise & read a growing no. of words signs symbols
Major update June 2021 written for the Adult Literacy Core Curriculum but updated to reflect the Reformed Functional Skills English content. This PPT makes an ideal starter for an Entry Level session on adjectives and is designed to be intertwined with Emma Scotland’s worksheet of the same name (listed under See Also). Seamlessly moves from group work to paired work to individual work. Also provides useful Entry Level 1 reading practice (simple sentences).
Editor’s notes
Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FS English E2.20 Use adjectives and simple linking words
FE E1.9 Read simple sentences containing one clause
Adult Lit Ws/E2.2 Use Adjectives
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
Used in E1 Literacy as preparation for playing a fun ‘Cat and Mouse’ http://www.tcet.com/eaonline/FlashedESL/CatsMX.swf preposition game. Print on acetate, cut up and use with an OHP to focus on spelling & reading key prepositions (or display on interactive whiteboard). Print on paper for students to refer to whilst playing game. All clipart from UVics Language Clip art Library at http://hcmc.uvic.ca/clipart/
Level
Entry Level 1
English
Rs/E1.1 Read and recognise simple sentence structures
AL Rw/E1.1 Have limited, meaningful sight vocabulary of words, signs, symbols
ESOL
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
A set of two resources – PPT and PDF file. Updated in 2008. Please ensure you download the PDF file as this includes full teaching instructions for the PPT.
Level
M8
Entry Level 1
English
Ww/E1.1
Pre-entry
pre-Entry Ww/M8.1 Write with appropriate grip making many controlled letter shapes & using a conventional sequence of letters
