Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

Learners use a gap-fill to complete positive and negative restaurant reviews.
I designed this resource to encourage learners to use a thesaurus to help improve their vocabulary and use more interesting adjectives.

I’ve used it with Entry level and Level 1/2 learners.

Editor's note

Fully mapped to the new 2018 Functional English content which comes into effect September 2019.

I’m using this activity to give learners a writing frame for a piece of creative writing. I want them to really think about purpose of text when they are creating it, so they have to pick the format, style and tone of their work and plan it out.

This is used to practise writing sentences in a format that is similar to those used for E2 Functional Skills writing assessments.
It includes a checklist for sentences and a reminder to use conjuntions. I use it after teaching the basics of sentences and conjunctions in order to give an opportunity to practise for the writing assessment. Three different tasks (note, email, complaint) plus a blank for your own task ideas.

I developed this simple resource initially as a speaking and listening exercise but quickly discovered I could extend it into a writing activity. The questions are designed not to be too personal. I have used it several times and it has worked well with learners from Entry 1 to Level 2. I particularly like the fact that learners have produced some really excellent writing, which is usually what they find the most difficult.

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Three differentiated writing tasks / practice papers on the same theme. First, you apply to appear in a Christmas Concert at the village hall. Later, you hear you have got a place in the concert and write an email inviting your friends to come and watch.

I wrote these tasks as an informal summative assessment end-of-term activity for a mixed level E1-E3 group of 16-19 year-olds, but they are suitable for any age group.

A set of resources created for a group 16-19 year olds with high functioning ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) but suitable for any E2-E3 literacy /Functional English student.

Involves discussion of year’s highlights, and a written reflection and prediction exercise. Finally, the students record their hopes and wishes which are then kept in sealed envelopes until l the end of the academic year (or other agreed date).

Useful one page hint / planning sheet for writing film reviews. Accompanied by planning / log sheets where learners can record their ideas about the events and characters.
With teaching ideas and full mapping to E3-L2 Functional English (writing).

A great set of mixed Entry exercises where learners are encouraged to use a range of positive (and negative!) adjectives to describe their favourite players.
Plus: write to Capello (writing frame included), reading and discussion, rearrange sentences, use conjunctions, and research previous World Cups.

A substantial 3 page text about capital city’s landmarks and tourist attractions. Ideal for students living in or visiting London. Followed by 6 pages of activities including questions, true/false, wordsearch, dictionary and alphabetical order work.

Set of two resources written for ‘Literacy through Drama’ students and ideal for young social networking fans. A character must be selected and then imaginary Facebook / MySpace profiles written. Ideal for encouraging descriptive writing, use of adjectives, etc. 8 pages of writing frames plus a great PPT to introduce the topic (uses Bart Simpson as the character).