A reading comprehension and vocabulary activity suitable for both ESOL and Literacy / Functional Skills. The activities are based on a BBC News article about John Cronin’s online business, John’s Crazy Socks. John, who has Down’s Syndrome, is a co-founder of the business, along with his father, Mark.
Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Adult Literacy: Engage in Discussion
Use reading strategies
Rw/L1.2
Identify main points and detail
Plan, compose and draft
Follow and understand
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL: Reading word focus - vocabulary, word recognition, phonics (Rw)
Very topical resource based on an article about the popular, award-winning Blue Planet 2 series.
General reading comprehension questions (with a focus on reading for detail) followed by a challenging writing exercise where the learner has to email a friend and persuade them not to leave litter on the beach.
With answers and curriculum mapping.
Very topical resource about the the Blue Moon Eclipse due on 31 Jan 2018.
General reading comprehension questions followed by an interesting writing exercise where the learner has to enter a competition to win a telescope.
With answers and curriculum mapping.
A list of simple sentences, some of which are common sayings. They all contain a word which has more than one meaning. The list can be used to improve vocabulary, and also to show students the importance of context in understanding the meaning of a word. Could be used as a warm-up for a reading lesson.
Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Adult Literacy: Reading at word level (phonics & vocabulary)
Rw/E3.5
Functional English reading
Homophones, homographs & confusables
ESOL
ESOL: Reading word focus - vocabulary, word recognition, phonics (Rw)
ESOL Rw/E3.5a Use variety of reading strategies to read/understand unfamiliar words
Designed for Entry 3 – Level 2 Functional Skills English.
Students loved this lesson. Can be designed around other areas but covers:
Writing persuasively.
Fact and opinion.
Research write a factual article
Create a poster using appropriate language.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional Skills English
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Finding and selecting information
A topical summer solstice resource. A bit of reading comprehension based on a general article about the solstice which includes some embedded maths. This is followed by another short article with further comprehension questions and two associated writing tasks: one at L1/L2 and one at E3 (the latter a bit wacky!).
This teaching and assessment resource combines reading comprehension and a letter writing task based on an advert for a volunteer role as a Customer Service Assistant for a charity shop.
In Task 1, students read the job advert and answer questions to check their understanding. In Task 2, they make notes about their personal skills and qualities, then draft and write a letter to apply for the volunteer role. An additional, extension task is provided for students who either work at a faster pace or at a higher level, and involves writing a personal statement for a college course.
This resource has a range of activities to help students learn useful expressions/ language to make a complaint.
It is useful in building confidence in making complaints in person and on the telephone.
Editor’s note
Includes sample dialogue with questions (can also be used as a reading comprehension), matching cards, sammple scenarios, curriculum mapping and teaching notes.
Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Adult Literacy: Speaking & Listening
ESOL
ESOL Sc/E3.4d Give an explanation
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact
ESOL Sc/E2.3d Give an explanation
ESOL Sc/E2.2a make requests: ask for things or action
ESOL Lr/E3.2b Listen for detail face to face or on the phone
