Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

Various activities based around the subject of staying safe online, fake news and online scams. Practise and preparation for the reading exams with questions to practise alphabetical order, features of text, purpose, style, reading comprehension and alphabetical order.

Editor's note

Such a useful  and topical resource! Written for Entry 3 ESOL but also ideal for Functional Skills English and Digital Literacy. The reading text on page looks deceptively simple but some of the exam-style questions are challenging and would also be suitable for Level 1.

Slides designed to support delivery of Gateway's EDSQ (Essential Digital Skills Qualification), Unit 4 (Transaction) at Entry Level and Level 1, with embedded Functional Skills English activities at L1 and L2. This set of slides includes skills from sections 3 (Communication) and 4 (Transaction) of the standards.  The slides cover: online banking and buying, filling in secure forms with bank details, digital  footprints and using security systems such as Captcha, and much more. Also many useful links to YouTube videos and other online learning applications. 

How to format and plan a formal letter or email for English functional skills.
Word document / template.

Editor’s note
Two very useful editable Word documents – one for a letter, one for an email.
[5/12/17] Minor edits to the formal letter template

Literacy – aimed at Level 1-2 and links to imaginative writing at GCSE.
Quirky fun starter – find your pirate name. This can be done on mobile phones if there are no PCs.
Comprehension tasks.
After finding the King’s shilling, write descriptive letter home.

Simulation of completing an online CV. Very easy to use, fill in the boxes and print after completion.

Simulations of email and online banking registration forms. Can be used in succession, as for the banking registration form you need an email address. When you press the “create account” button it will open the printing menu. Good luck!

A series of clear tasks that works well for a wide ability range (E2-L1).
Includes: resizing pictures, creating and saving folders and files, web research and poster design.

This is a resource that was designed for use in a computer classroom. It allows learners to research what is needed in a cover letter to find employment. For this resource to work most successfully I would advise that learners carry out the ‘research’ stage (Tasks 1 & 2) of the lesson in pairs or small groups.

This Blue Cross resource was written for strong E3 or L1 (or even L2) ESOL learners. I first used it as a homework exercise. The English on the site is a little quirky but it is an exercise using authentic material which always has its upsides and downsides.

However, it is good on human interests and most people like animals. It involves ICT, Reading and Writing. It’s best to pre-teach the vocabulary.

Also ideal for, and fully mapped to, Functional Skills English Level 1 reading and writng.

Super set of three ICT task sheets that successfully embed Functional ICT, Functional English and even some Functional Maths!
Each task sheet involves composing, sending and replying to work-based emails: based in a dental surgery, a health centre and a travel agency.
Please also download the separate, very detailed, Functional Skills mapping document which includes differentiation ideas, teaching tips and embedding ideas.