Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

Displaying 1 - 10 of 24 resources:

I created this resource to try to engage my learners during lockdown. There are two reading tasks based on the same text, which I adapted for level 1 learners by using more basic vocabulary. The reading task can then be followed by the writing a blog task and I have included a step by step sheet to help with the writing task.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FE WRITING Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
FE Writing composition
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation
TL - Synthesise information
TL - Create texts for different purposes and audiences
Context
Health and safety
News, Politics & Government items

This set of steps (taken from Coady & Nation (1988)) with a worked example shows students one process for doing a ‘best guess’ of what to do when they come across a new word. Followed by a set of 10 exercises with some lovely, unusual words.

Editor's note
Fully mapped to GCSE and the new 2018 Functional English content

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure

This is a short explanation with examples of eight sorts of conjunctive adverb arranged by type. There is an activity to complete, as well as some stretch/research activities for differentiation.

Editor’s note
Fully mapped to L2 Functional English and GCSE English

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
FE L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
Adult Lit Ws/L2.1 Construct complex sentences
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation
GCSE Writing AO5(b) Organise information using structural and grammatical features

This is new from Sept 2015 for L2 reading.
It is a list of writing techniques – the name of the technique, a description and an example.

Editor’s note (updated 7/5/2017)
Also ideal for GCSE English revision.
Covers 14 techniques: similes, hyperbole, alliteration, rhetorical questions, superlatives, personification, analogy, colloquialisms, cliches, onomatopoeia, oxymorons, imperatives, metaphors and emotive language.

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
Wt/L2.6
Adult Lit Wt/L2.5 Use formal & informal language appropriate to purpose & audience

This resource uses a flow chart to help guide learners to the correct use of apostrophes.

Editor’s note
Updated Aug 2016. now includes irregular plurals such as ‘children’.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Rs/L1.2
Apostrophes
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding

These resources were created to support learners in developing knowledge of spelling rules.

Handout 1 can be used to support learners who struggle with spelling words with an interior /ks/ sound, such as access and excess.

Handout 2 can be used to support learners who struggle with spelling words that start with PER and PRE.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
AL Ww/L2.1 Spell technical words
Prefixes, suffixes & plurals
Functional English - writing
AL Ww/L1.1 Spell & use spelling strategies

Visual colour-coded resource, explaining the main plural spelling rules. Created for E2/E3 learners, but could also be useful for all visual learners working between E2-L2.

Includes: colour-coded fact sheet, blank table, worksheet and flash cards to cut out and laminate. Could be used for a number of different activities.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Prefixes, suffixes & plurals
AL Ww/L1.1 Spell & use spelling strategies
AL Ww/E3.2 Use phonic knowledge to help spelling
ESOL
ESOL Ww/L1.1b Use strategies to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/L1.1a Apply knowledge about vocabulary to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/E3.1a Apply spelling knowledge to a wide range of common & special-interest words
ESOL Ww/E2.1b Use knowledge of sound–symbol relationships & phonological patterns when spelling

Excellent advice on giving a presentation (this is a required part of Level 2 Functional English assessment and would also be useful for L2 literacy and possibly L2 ESOL). Step by step guide to planning and delivery.

Level
Level 2
English
SLd/L2.5
Adult Lit SLd/L2.4 Support opinions and arguments with evidence
Adult Lit SLc/L2.4 Present information and ideas in a logical sequence and provide further detail and development to clarify or confirm understanding
Adult Lit SLc/L2.3 Express clearly statements of fact, explanations, instructions, accounts & descriptions, using appropriate structure, style & vocabulary
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
GCSE English Spoken Language AO9 Use standard English
GCSE English Spoken Language AO7 Formal presentation skills
ESOL
ESOL Speak to communicate (Sc)
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond

A useful one page reminder about using apostrophes of omission and possession.

Level
Level 2
English
Apostrophes
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas

Questioning for understanding is a really useful help sheet that encourages learners to ask relevant questions (any topic, any level). Based on Kipling’s “What and Why and When, And How and Where and Who” with teaching ideas and useful links.

For a related resource using the same idea to investigate and write newspaper reports please see Ellie Walsh’s Looking at Newspapers (below).

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Poetry
AL SLc/E1.3
SLc/E2.2
SLc/E3.4
SLc/L1.2
SLc/L2.2
General
Study Skills and General Teaching
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond