Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

This resource is based on the DfES ESOL Skills for Life recording 'Phoning about symptoms'. It gives exam practice questions (C&G style) in the first section and in the second section an activity to enable learners to tune in to the sounds of English. The first section can be completed in class and the second at home or the whole sheet can be given for homework. Listening development at home enables learners to listen as often as they wish and tune in until they hear the text more clearly.

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.

A topical reading comprehension on Captain Tom's 100th birthday with related writing and SLC (speaking listening and communication) tasks.  There are two versions: one for Entry Level 3 and one for Level 1 (also suitable for L2). Writing tasks include reports and emails (and at Entry 3 - a spelling test). SLC tasks cover short talks with Q&A sessions and discussions. 

Editor's note.

This reading resource is designed for Functional Skills English learners.  It is aimed at level 1 and level 2, although it may be adapted for Entry level 3 also.  The resource is comprised of two texts that suggest how teenagers and young people can look after their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  Text A is adapted from the UNICEF website, and Text B is an informal email written from one worried friend to another.   The questions are written to model the reformed Edexcel Functional Skills exams, and are aimed to gi

Update - apologies, when I added this resource on April 1st I forgot to upload the Word document. It is now available below. Maggie 10/4/20

Functional Skills Level 2 (and T Level General English Competencies) writing tasks consisting of writing a report and a letter to apply for a job (both based on the current Covid-19 crisis).

Specifically written to focus only on comparing and contrasting texts (now expected at Level 1 and Level 2).  This set of  graduated questions uses texts from "Six Texts about TV Licences" (available separately on skillsworkshop) and encourages learners to compare content, format, purpose and language of texts based on similar topics.

I wrote this resource to explore the Reformed Entry Level 2 reading and writing content, and the format of the new assessments from various awarding organisations (AO). 

Sparked after reading an article about a UK Which? report in The Guardian newspaper, and made in haste, this resource is aimed at Entry Level 3 (E3) and Level 1 (L1) learners but includes some E2 and L2 questions. There is no answer sheet – one might appear later for skillsworkshop contributors – but see below for general marking guidance. If you are stuck you can ask for help using my Twitter tag @skillsworkshop https://twitter.com/skillsworkshop

This resource is based on the DfES ESOL Skills for Life E2 recording 'Asking where things are'. It gives exam practice questions (C&G style) in the first section and in the second section an activity to enable learners to tune in to the sounds of English. The first section can be completed in class and the second at home or the whole sheet can be given for homework. Listening development at home enables learners to listen as often as they wish and tune in until they hear the text more clearly.

An additional news story to go with Maggie's great E3 Firework Safety reading & spelling resource.  Use her Fireworks:  the Law page as Text A and then there are two pages of L1-L2 comprehension (I have a mixed class and thus needed something at a higher level). Focus is on general comprehension (main points & detail) but organisational and language features are also covered.

Editor's note