General Resources

Various activities based around the subject of staying safe online, fake news and online scams. Practise and preparation for the reading exams with questions to practise alphabetical order, features of text, purpose, style, reading comprehension and alphabetical order.

Editor's note

Such a useful  and topical resource! Written for Entry 3 ESOL but also ideal for Functional Skills English and Digital Literacy. The reading text on page looks deceptively simple but some of the exam-style questions are challenging and would also be suitable for Level 1.

Reading, discussion and writing tasks exploring fake ads and online shopping scams on sites such as Facebook and Google. Discussion points to encourage learner engagement and two tasks to develop ideas through their writing.

Editor's note

Developed after a training session with Geoff Petty, I use this self-assessment checklist for mixed level groups. 

Although colour-coded to various levels, the idea is that any learner, regardless of level, can use the checklist to assess their own writing, and map their strengths and weaknesses.  It also helps  teachers to see how effectively learners are able to self-evaluate.   I have found it to be a really good tool to foster independent learning.

Editor's note

Tips and four tasks designed to help Level 2 Functional English learners think about how they can identify BIAS in texts.

A demonstration of how not to make a PowerPoint. This has been used for all levels as an extreme example of the worst PowerPoint ever.

A very useful one page reference of the E3 Functional Maths coverage and range statements with additional amplification. Extra pages list and explain the all-important process skills (skill standards).
Modelled after our similar document for L1-L2 Functional Maths (see below) this resource is particularly useful for teachers that are new to embedding Maths and want a more detailed framework and and guidance with underpinning skills.

A really useful handout with an example text that clearly demonstrates how readers can use both context and knowledge of word roots / prefixes / etc to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary without using a dictionary or glossary. The sample technical text is about gliding.

Internet Searching is a gentle introduction for those new to the internet (suitable for all levels from E2 upwards) based on the BBC home page.

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).

Summarises some of key points and is aimed at those who are switching from teaching Skills for Life adult numeracy to Functional Maths (FM).
The importance of the process skills is discussed (and how these should be considered when using any L1 or L2 skillsworkshop numeracy resource for teaching FM – particularly those of an investigative or problem-solving nature).
Also includes handy one page overviews of all the L1 and L2 FM pilot standards (performance skills, and coverage and range statements).