Since the demise of the Excellence Gateway (EG) on September 30 2023, there is no official Government backed website where the old Skills for Life core curricula are available. The EG has (partially) migrated to the Education & Training Foundation (ETF) at https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/ but there is no sign of these classic documents.
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.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Wt/L2.6
Adult Lit Wt/L2.5 Use formal & informal language appropriate to purpose & audience
Adult Lit Wt/L1.4 Use language suitable for purpose and audience
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.
Level
Level 2
English
Rt/L2.8
Rt/L2.4 Read an argument and identify the points of view
Rt/L2.3 Identify the main points and specific detail
Rt/L2.2 Identify the purpose of a text and infer meaning which is not explicit
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
A worksheet designed to draw together all the features which identify different types of documents or texts such as emails, webpages, letters and leaflets.
I designed this a recap and to create a revision document for my learners doing Functional Skills English at Levels 1 & 2.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Rt/L2.6 Use organisational features and systems to locate texts and information
A worksheet that lists all of the most common word types and has space for the learners to enter their own description and their own examples.
To be completed over a number of weeks as each word type is covered and understood. The completed sheets can then be used as a revision tool / personal glossary.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Rs/L2.1 Use implicit and explicit grammatical knowledge
Adult Literacy Rs/L1.1 Use implicit and explicit grammatical knowledge
Adult Literacy Rs/E3.2 Use implicit & explicit knowledge of word types/order to help with decoding/predicting meaning
An excellent set of L2 literacy/Functional English tasks based on a topical text about New Year’s resolutions.
Used as a mock exam, the first 12 questions are in the style of the Adult Literacy multiple choice exam and cover spelling, comprehension, punctuation, tone, vocabulary, etc. They are followed by several challenging writing, summarising and purpose/structure questions that are also be suitable for Functional Skills English.
A very good and rather challenging set of Level 2 reading and writing tasks. Based on a topical and controversial news article about the UK benefits system, it also makes an prompt for discussion.
The reading questions are multiple choice as in the Level 2 Literacy test but they are followed by several challenging writing and summarising questions that would also be suitable for Functional Skills English.
Have a bit of fun whilst revising Level 2 Functional English reading! Based loosely on an Edexcel L2 practice paper (see links within the resources). Learners will need to have access to the three driving- related texts (insurance letter, newspaper article about road rage, and satnav road safety information) in order to answer the so you want to be a millionaire questions. These are available below as a separate download. Great for skimming and scanning practice.
A very clever resource! Page 1 is a series of tips aimed at L1-2 students taking the adult literacy multiple choice reading test but is relevant to any multiple choice English exam. Page 2 is a set of “multiple choice questions about multiple choice questions” – based on the information on page.
A very clever PPT that simulates the format of the NCFE online Adult Literacy tests (which are quite different to the Move On practice tests) in order to familiarise learners with the screens and experience the zoom function. It also provides useful exam practice for all L1 and L2 Literacy students – no matter which awarding body is being used. There are five sample texts accompanied by 10 multiple choice questions.
