FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings

L1.13 Use reference materials and appropriate strategies (e.g. using knowledge of word types) for a range of purposes, including to find the meaning of words

Subject content [reformed] functional skills: English (DfE, Feb 2018): 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/functional-skills-subject-content-english

Reading and related activities focusing on a simplified version of a BBC news article reporting the results of the 2021 Australian Census. Ideal for practising reading strategies including:  relating images to text, using headings, skimming, scanning and using context to predict. My (Australian) students found it challenging but were engaged in the content. Lots of possible ways it could lead into other written and oral activities. Numbers and a graph involved so can also be used to revise numeracy concepts such as percentages and extracting information from graphs.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
General literacy / English
FE READING main points & detail
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
Maths
General numeracy / maths
ESOL
ESOL Reading
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries

A simplified version of a news report taken from ABC's Behind the News. Dating from 2020 it talks bout US Gun Laws from an Australian perspective. The reading text also comes with comprehension questions, a cloze passage, dictionary activities and a writing prompt. There are related tasks at two levels E3/L1 and L1/2.

Editor's notes

Also ideal for stimulating discussion (and thus great practice for the FS speaking and listening assessments). The L1-2 questions provide the opportunity to write longer answers and include a  writing prompt.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/L1.3a Understand how main points and specific detail are presented and linked
ESOL Rw/E3.5a Use variety of reading strategies to read/understand unfamiliar words
ESOL Writing: text focus (composition)
ESOL Rw/L1.1a Use reference material to find the meaning of unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L1.3a Recognise and understand an increasing range of vocabulary
Context
News, Politics & Government items

This lesson is based around the story of Birkenhead resident Charlie Wright, who famously refused to leave his house when the local council decided to demolish the estate around it. Students have the opportunity to discuss themes of community, identity and change. Students watch a short documentary about Charlie from the BBC archives and answer comprehension questions. Charlie's story provides a context for a role play task whereby learners have to decide how best to regenerate Charlie's lost neighbourhood.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information & lines of argument in explanations & presentations
FE L1.2 Make requests & ask relevant questions to obtain specific information
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L2.2 Follow narratives & lines of argument
FE L2.3 Respond effectively to detailed or extended questions & feedback
FE L2.4 Make requests & ask detailed & pertinent questions to obtain specific information in a range of contexts
FE L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
ESOL
ESOL Sc/L1.2b Ask for information
ESOL Sc/L1.4a Present information and ideas in a logical sequence
ESOL Sd/L1.2a Express views and opinions
ESOL Lr/L1.1a Extract information from texts of varying genre, e.g. radio, TV
ESOL Lr/L1.1b extract relevant information from a narrative or explanation face-to-face or on the telephone, and respond
ESOL Rw/L1.2a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different types of text, using appropriate strategies to work out meaning
ESOL Sc/L2.3b Ask for information
ESOL Sc/L2.4a Express statements of fact
ESOL Sc/L2.5a Present information & ideas in a logical sequence and provide further detail
ESOL Lr/L2.1a Extract information from extended texts in a non-face-to-face context, e.g. radio
ESOL Lr/L2.4a Follow and participate in a discussion or conversation
ESOL Sd/L2.2c Express views, opinions, feelings, wishes
Context
News, Politics & Government items
History, culture, museums, libraries

Written in and inspired by the July 22 heatwave where temperatures in the UK exceeded 40 degrees! 

Three texts about hot weather and its effects on the body. Questions start at Entry Level 1 and progress to Level 2. L1-2 Learners will still need to access the Entry Level texts as the final questions involve comparing two or more texts. 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E1.9 Read simple sentences containing one clause
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E1.11 Punctuate simple sentences with capital letter & full stop
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E2.12 Use illustrations, images & captions to locate information
FE E2.14 Form regular plurals
FE E2.15 Use 1st & 2nd letters to sequence words alphabetically
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE E3.16 Use 1st, 2nd & 3rd letters to sequence words alphabetically
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
Context
Health, Social care, Early years
Health and safety

Slides designed to support delivery of Gateway's EDSQ (Essential Digital Skills Qualification), Unit 2, at Entry Level and Level 1, with embedded Functional Skills English activities at L1 and L2. This set of slides covers skills from section 2 of the standards (Creating and Editing) with the focus being on creating and editing accessible documents (Entry and L1). Includes link to a Wordwall quiz.

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L1.22 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly, coherently & accurately
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
ICT
Essential Digital Skills
EDS: Creating & editing
Creating & editing documents - Entry Level
Creating & editing documents - Level 1
Context
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

Slides designed to support delivery of Gateway's EDSQ (Essential Digital Skills Qualification), unit 1, at Entry Level and Level 1, with embedded Functional Skills English activities at L1 and L2. This set of slides covers section 1 of the standards (Using Devices and Handling Information) and includes: using devices, finding & evaluating information, managing and storing information, and identifying and solving technical problems

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information & lines of argument in explanations & presentations
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
ICT
Essential Digital Skills
EDS: Using devices & handling information
Using devices - Entry Level
Using devices - Level 1
Finding & evaluating information - Entry Level
Finding & Evaluating Information - Level 1
Managing & storing information - Entry Level
Managing & storing information - Level 1
Identifying & solving technical problems - Entry Level
Identifying & solving technical problems - Level 1
Context
Electrical, Electronics & Technology
Independent living

Here is another reading comprehension that I made. Based on a BBC news article about the sad fate of the alpaca Geronimo. A few of my colleagues at work have used it (Bucks Adult Learning) and they said it worked well - Level 1/Level 2 Functional Skills English (inc. ESOL learners). Questions cover language features, purpose, using  punctuation to aid understanding, vocabulary/dictionary work, inferring from images, and organisational features.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
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 L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE READING and understanding words
Context
Animals, animal care, farming & equine
News, Politics & Government items

A short information text is followed by several pages of cloze exercises for Motor Vehicle students. To support subject knowledge, working out the meanings of technical vocabulary and learning subject specific spellings.

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport

A cloze exercise for Motor Vehicle students. To support subject knowledge, working out the meanings of technical vocabulary and learning subject specific spellings.

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
Context
Motor vehicles & Transport