Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

A literacy resource for learners to find words containing long A sounds made by different digraphs. This resource was written as a pairs activity although it can equally be an individual one. There are four pieces of texts each using words containing predominantly one particular digraph – ai, ey, ay, or eigh. Learners can then search for other long A sounds formed from different clusters within the same text. Peer marking and plenary extend the learning.

Cheerful, visual reminders to learners about checking their writing. Two versions – one for E3-L1, one for L2, etc.). They also make good handouts.

Questioning for understanding is a really useful help sheet that encourages learners to ask relevant questions (any topic, any level). Based on Kipling’s “What and Why and When, And How and Where and Who” with teaching ideas and useful links.

For a related resource using the same idea to investigate and write newspaper reports please see Ellie Walsh’s Looking at Newspapers (below).

An incredible collection of strategies for all levels. This huge resource is split into 3 sections.
A six page comprehensive handout on spelling techniques (E3 upwards). A ‘Spelling for Me’ worksheet where students are encouraged to try out different strategies and record their results.
A set of 19 different strategy pages (to be laminated) each with tasks for students to test out the strategy.

E3-L2 Literacy glossary is a straightforward 1 page glossary which describes terms such as: verb, adjective, suffix, tense, prefix, vowel, etc. Also makes a good card match game or fill in exercise (see p2).

Another addition to our ever-growing collection of menmonics resources. 18 mnemonics inc old favourites and some unusual ones (heirloom, penguin.)

5 page information- and work-book written for NVQ 1-2 catering students working on their ‘local hospitality provision’ project. (Covers alphabetical order and word meanings).

A handy one page reference sheet that covers old favourites (e.g. because, necessary, hear) along with some new twists I have not seen before (e.g. grateful, disappear, believe and measurement).

Helps students put 20 spellings in context and makes them more interesting and easier to learn.

A fabulous multi-sensory, differentiated activity where students gradually build up their own mind maps and learn to see writing a a process not simply a finished piece of work. With excellent tutor notes and extension ideas.