ICT 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.

Checklist designed to support delivery of Gateway's EDSQ (Essential Digital Skills Qualification) E3 and L1. This list allows learners, and staff, to rate their confidence with each element of the qualification at each unit (1-5). 

Editor's notes

An essential piece of kit for those embarking on EDS teaching. Love the 4 tier "traffic light" system. Written for Gateway but useful for all awarding bodies.

This is a fun activity which encourages learners to use IT vocabulary to identify common devices, emojis and icons. It includes a link to an on-screen Wordwall activity where they can test what they already know about devices and common computing icons. 

Editor's note

A fun, kinaesthetic learning activity to introduce ICT terminology to beginners to ICT.  Can be adapted well to suit various ESOL needs.

Editor's note

A complete mini-lesson for Entry Level ESOL learners at a range of levels. A detailed and very useful lesson plan with examples given for two possible devices (but many other devices could be used depending on learners' levels of ICT and English).  A great way to integrate learning new vocabulary and discussion strategies with basic ICT skills.  

Update 24/2/22: written by Sharon Roberts and Alexandra Bates, both of Essex ACL. 
This is a fun activity which encourages ESOL learners to engage with digital technology and transacting online. It provides opportunity to explore vocabulary related to shopping while also discussing the advantages of shopping for food online. It can be adapted to all levels and can be extended for a longer activity if required.

Editor's note

Update 24/2/22: written by Paula Fulton and Alexandra Bates, both of Essex ACL. 
A fun activity for ESOL learners which draws on the popularity of the online word guessing game, Wordle.

Editor's note

A complete mini-lesson for ESOL or Functional English! Introductory PPT and a detailed and very useful lesson plan. A great way to integrate spelling strategies with basic ICT skills. Includes discussion about the 26 letters but 44 phonemes of the English language. 

A very useful handout for Entry Level ESOL and/or Functional Skills ICT students. Step by step, illustrated instructions on how to create a basic PPT.

The basic PPT used in the handout images is also provided. This can be adapted by the teacher or (optionally) given to learners to adapt. 

Fourteen questions related to Remembrance Day (topics include WW1, WW2 ration books,  Korean War, war poetry, etc.). Use as a traditional paper-based quiz or an IT based investigation. Learners could work individually or in teams / small groups. One way of approaching the quiz would be to see what the class as a whole can answer from their general knowledge befor

Designed for Entry 3 – Level 2 Functional Skills English.
Students loved this lesson. Can be designed around other areas but covers:
Writing persuasively.
Fact and opinion.
Research write a factual article
Create a poster using appropriate language.

A word processing activity which involves typing and formatting and also contains useful information.

The idea is that the learners digest the text that they are working with and learn from it. I would put it at about level E2/3.