Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

Originally written as a mock E2 ESOL reading paper with a Halloween theme. Now amended with extra tasks to reflect the reformed Entry Level 2 Functional English content. Covers alphabetical order / dictionary work, general comprehension, purpose of text (E3) and some writing elements (see below). 

Reading comprehension and writing tasks designed to prepare adults who are returning to education and taking Functional English at Level 1 or Level 2.

Level 1 reading comprehension is based on two texts about returning to education. This is followed by two writing tasks. Level 2 includes all the L1 texts and questions plus an additional lengthy text and questions that involve summarising, and comparing and contrasting two or more texts.

Editor's note

A set of six linked, differentiated texts about Valentine’s Day, with associated writing assessments.

Two texts and two writing tasks for Entry 1 and for Entry 2. One text and two writing tasks for E3, and one of each at Level 1.

Reading texts: an email, a recipe, a competition, a menu, a press release about a fun fair and a florist’s advert.
Writing tasks include form filling, an email, a restaurant review, a set of craft instructions, and a competition entry.

Answers will be available (to site contributors only) from late February 2018

Aimed at Functional Skills Level 2 learners, this resource is also suitable for the new 9 -1 GCSE requirements (Reading A2 and A3).

It is designed to be done towards the end of a unit on reading skills as it draws together skimming, scanning, information retrieval skills and the ability to collate information.

A revision activity for Level 1 Functional Skills English reading and writing.

Editor’s note
Reading questions cover all aspects of the FS criteria. The writing activity (formal letter) stresses the use of persuasive techniques and is ideal for both Level 1 and Level 2. It includes a useful writing checklist.

A set of six linked, differentiated texts about Halloween, with associated writing assessments.
Two texts for each Entry Level: an email, a party invitation, a recipe, instructions for a Halloween game, a contents page, and a newspaper article. Writing tasks include an informal note, an email, form filling, a formal letter and a report for a village newsletter.

A differentiated resource to recap many number & measure skills and to help learners with the skills needed when looking for or applying for a job.

There are 6 questions in both the L1 and L2 version – working out weekly pay, annual salary, tax payable, comparing pay to JSA (Job Seeker’s Allowance), reading/completing a bus timetable and correcting a job acceptance letter (L1 Functional English proof reading).

A rigorous and fully mapped reading assessment with mark sheet and detailed answers. This resource takes account of the changes demanded since Ofqual published its thematic review of Functional Skills in January 2015. Can also of course be used for normal classwork, revision, homework or private study. Ideal for Pancake day but could be used any time of year.

I have created this lesson to try and cover the main criteria laid out by C&G for the Speaking and Listening English Functional Skills, Level 2 internally set assessment (activity 2 – presentation).

I trialled it with my learners as a ‘practise’ presentation before their final assessment. In the future I hope to use it as an official internal assessment, once I have received official feedback from the awarding body external verifier, learners, other tutors, etc.

This is a reading from a BBC site with questions based on the Edexcel L1 Functional Skills reading paper and a writing task. The topic is ‘Mothering Sunday’. It describes the history and gives information about traditional food.

Editor’s note
Very comprehensive. All aspects of L1 reading are covered – not just “reading for detail”.