How to use speech marks specifically for the L2 Functional Skills (FS) English Writing Exams with Edexcel / Pearson. How and why to use expert opinions, and when to use commas.(FS)
Editor's note
Level
Level 2
English
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
Slides designed to support delivery of Gateway's EDSQ (Essential Digital Skills Qualification), Unit 5 (Being Safe and Responsible Online) at Entry Level 3 and Level 1, with embedded Functional Skills English activities at L1 and L2. This set of slides includes skills from sections 3 (Communication) . The slides cover: how to report safety concerns, public Wi-Fi, Health and Safety and other online risks. Also many useful links to YouTube videos and other online learning applications.
Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.3 Respond effectively to detailed questions
FS Eng L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FS Eng L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
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
Update 24/2/22: written by Paula Fulton and Alexandra Bates, both of Essex ACL.
A fun activity for ESOL learners which draws on the popularity of the online word guessing game, Wordle.
Editor's note
A complete mini-lesson for ESOL or Functional English! Introductory PPT and a detailed and very useful lesson plan. A great way to integrate spelling strategies with basic ICT skills. Includes discussion about the 26 letters but 44 phonemes of the English language.
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Ww/E3.1a Apply spelling knowledge to a wide range of common & special-interest words
ESOL Ww/E3.1b Apply knowledge of strategies to aid with spelling
ESOL Ww/L1.1a Apply knowledge about vocabulary to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/L1.1b Use strategies to aid accurate spelling
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Using ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Finding and selecting information
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
Does the UK have a littering problem, and how is this impacting our environment? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about the environment and the impact of littering while building their English skills.
Editor's note
Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information & lines of argument in explanations & presentations
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L2.2 Follow narratives & lines of argument
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
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
During the Covid-19 lockdown I started working online in Google Classroom and created this L1-2 writing task (and an accompanying introductory presentation) in Google Docs / Slides. Use the presentation to introduce learners (if needed) to Captain Tom and his remarkable achievement for the NHS (national health service) during the Covid-19 crisis. Slides also provide links to related news articles (important for background information and also for demonstrating the layout and language features of articles).
Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L1.25 Write consistently & accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format & structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
FE L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
A resource suitable for GCSE or Functional Skills English (L2) that uses an image of an old lady as the basis of a series of activities for students to learn/embed the following:
To understand how to quickly plan a piece of writing,
To consider genre, audience, purpose, tone and use language devices
To improve the impact of the writing.
Use A FOREST to remember language features.
The power point presentation (18 screens) includes:
Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Writing AO5(b) Organise information using structural and grammatical features
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format & structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Firstly, I would check learners understand the term ‘Employability’ and, using the letters in the the word, ask learners to come up with ideas for the personal skills and qualities needed to get a job. For example – E – enthusiastic, energetic, M – motivated, multi-talented …etc. I would then move on to the PPT.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Wt/L2.2
Wt/L2.1
Adult Lit Wt/L1.2 Judge how much to write and the level of detail to include
A powerpoint presentation showing incorrect use of the apostrophe and comma. Useful for discussions to show the correct use and for learners to say why the apostrophe is wrong. Has ‘its’ and ‘it’s’ and omissive and possessive apostrophes.
Clear explanations of the use of possessive and omissive apostrophes. Followed by photographs of examples of misuse (great for prompting further discussion).
Mapped to Functional English criteria and adult literacy curriculum elements.
