General Resources

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.

What or Want? was written for an ESOL student who confused these two words in his writing but suitable for E2-3 or dyslexia support at any level. Includes a wide selection of exercises and tips.

A fabulous set of illustrated instructions. Makes a great activity for literacy and numeracy classes (reading instructions, measuring, shapes, etc.) at many levels.
For an easy to use template please see Bryan Fitzpatrick’s accompany resource below.

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.

Celebrating Diwali cleverly combines details about the Hindu festival with information on the common homophones: there – their – they’re.

An E1 kinaesthetic resource for 2-4 players – also ideal for dyslexic learners at higher levels.

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).

Memory tips for ordering months of the year was written for a dyslexic student but is also very useful for Entry 2 measures, reading and spelling (and dyslexic students at any level).

Handy reference for Entry Level ESOL and Literacy learners. Helps with Alphabetical order, upper / lower case and vowels / consonants.

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).