ESOL Resources

This lesson gives students the opportunity to discuss fundraising and practise reading skills (scanning and reading for detail). The reading text focuses on Mick Cullen, also known as ‘SpeedoMick’, and his long distance walks for charity. The lesson encourages students to try to empathise with Mick and better understand his background, character and motivations. Themes of mental health are also prominent and so it is advised you check with your learners first/use your own professional judgement before doing the optional video task.

An introduction lesson for ESOL/Pre Entry to help build learner confidence and introduce them to college rules/expectations.

Editor's note

Two complete and very welcoming lessons. Also covers asking and responding to questions about personal information, recognising letters of the alphabet, and classroom equipment.  Lovely :)

A set of two resources:
PPT with audio, so you can leave students pressing the left button and repeating the words, while you attend to others. 13 different objects such as pen, stapler, ruler, etc. are covered.
Classroom equipment cards
These cards show some items of vocabulary for equipment which could be requested in class. 12 different objects such as calculator, pencil case, rubber, etc. are included. Cards can be used with or without the words attached – see ideas below.
Picture cards only:

A trip to the cinema is an interactive narrative that follows family as they select a film to see (skimming and scanning), catch the bus (buying a ticket), ask for directions to the cinema, buy cinema tickets and snacks!
Provides prompts, dialogue scripts, maps and other ideas for speaking and listening work. Ideal for revision or recapping after student have covered buying things, giving directions, asking for information, etc.
Please read the notes area on slide 1 of this PPT for teaching ideas, curriculum links, etc.

Buying a ticket provides prompts, dialogue scripts and other ideas for speaking and listening work, along with reading practice (obtaining information from texts). Covers football, cinema, bus and train tickets.
Originally used with the DfES ESOL E1 Skills for Life materials (Unit 4 – Local Transport, page 11 – Buying a ticket) but can be used alone. http://rwp.excellencegateway.org.uk/readwriteplus/Learning_Materials_ES…

Weather, temperature and seasons covers vocabulary and spelling topics along with many ideas for speaking practice (asking about the temperature, making small talk). Lots of examples using intensifier ‘very’.

Problems in the home PPT provides group spelling and vocabulary practice along with ideas for speaking practice. Look at the pictures, discuss what the people do (electricians, gas engineers, plumbers, etc.) and the problems they fix. Then type the correct spelling into the box (ideal with a cordless keyboard) before checking the correct spelling with a mouse click. Finish with some skimming and scanning practice using related information from the Yellow Pages.

Buying clothes provides group vocabulary work along with many ideas for speaking practice. Please read the notes area on slide 1 of the PPT for teaching ideas, curriculum links, etc.
Covers buying a t-shirt (can be used with separate dialogue/clothes cards available below as PDF file), laundry symbols, UK shoe and clothes sizes, fabric patterns.

Clothes provides group spelling and vocabulary practice along with ideas for speaking practice (giving descriptions). With examples of the use of ‘A pair of…’ (shoes, shorts, trousers, etc.)
Please read the notes area on slide 1 of this PPT for teaching ideas, curriculum links, etc.