Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

I created this activity for my ESOL students but it would also work well for Functional English.
The idea is taken from Laura Jeffrey Kiiza’s text types mind map drag and drop activity (L1) – see link below under See also.

Students first use Laura’s drag and drop activity on the computer (this covers both persuasive and instructive texts).
I then gave them the features of persuasive texts (see page 1 of resource) which they cut up and stick on the text on page 2 (or they could simply annotate the text using coloured pens etc.).

This is a basic editable word wheel which you can print, cut out and attach together with a brass paper fastener.
Learners can concentrate on one word at a time. Word wheels can be used for building vocabulary, spelling practice and much more. Suitable for all levels of Functional Skills and ESOL.
Instructions and ideas are included within the PPT. For example:
Stretchy:

• Write positive or negative words in the table
• Look up words that are unfamiliar

Stretchier:

This resource will help learners recognise words related to personal information. Learners will read, match, fill in the gaps and identify the number of syllables.

Photos and pictures to match with accounts of real emergency situations. All in the present tense. All the accounts are true. Accounts can be cut in to strips and given to pairs of learners who can put them in to a sequence to tell a story. Leads to discussion on how we tell a story, and how we sequence sentences to make sense.
Lots of new, real life vocabulary to provoke discussion.
Some stories shorter and simpler than others to allow for differentiation in group.

A recap exercise where Functional English learners match the correct aspects of formal letter writing together and lay them out in letter format.

This could be printed out and laminated but I usually give my students a printout of the first pages and they cut out the text boxes and arrange them appropriately. I have included some red herrings such as incorrect text alignment and unsuitable salutations and closures.

I have included my suggestion of the correct layout on the third page.

This wonderful pack of differentiated resources is ideal for mixed ability classes from Entry 1 through to Level 2. It takes the learner through:

• the layout of formal and informal letters
• formal and informal language
• typical vocabulary for formal letters
• sentences and paragraphs
• writing a range of letters
• revision and/or assessment exercises

Includes writing prompts, task sheets, matching /sorting cards, and a many cut and stick exercises.

Fully mapped to the Functional English writing criteria.

A wonderful and very substantial series of worksheets (or cut and stick) and card based activities for preEntry Milestone 8 – Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Covers dozens of everyday household objects and furniture. Includes matching, labelling, missing letters and spelling.

Wonderful set of worksheets (or cut and stick) and card based activities for preEntry Milestone 7 – Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Covers different types of residential buildings, different rooms, garden sheds and garages. Includes matching, labelling, missing vowels and spelling.

Label the House is a beautiful labelling (or cut and stick) activity for preEntry-Entry 1 Lit and ESOL. Also makes a great starting point for preEntry discussion about words, images, names of familiar objects etc.

Editor’s note Oct 2013
Thumbnail picture added to description above and minor edits to the original 2008 resource including: font change; removal of an extra, unneeded labelling box; and adjustment to one labelling arrow pointing to the letterbox.

A superb set of multi-sensory activities based on a card sort designed to increase awareness and use of this well known spelling rule (and its exceptions!). Great for paired or small group work.
An accompanying Eclipse crossword is also available (see below) from the same author.