Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

A L2 reading lesson around the optimism of Spring, and Easter and pagan traditions, especially suitable for the start of the Summer term, as a springboard to setting intentions for the rest of the course. Suitable for ESOL or Functional Skills courses.

Editor's note

Fully mapped to the reformed FS content - and GCSE English. Also includes a vocabulary consolidation task for the next lesson.

An answer sheet will be available shortly - for resource contributors only.

I have used this organisational features matching exercise in two ways, either to test learners initial knowledge of the features or as a revision tool. 

Editor's note

Two versions - one, with images, for Entry Level and another for higher levels. Fully mapped to the reformed Functional English content which comes into effect in September 2019.

Reading comprehension and writing tasks designed to prepare adults who are returning to education and taking Functional English at Level 1 or Level 2.

Level 1 reading comprehension is based on two texts about returning to education. This is followed by two writing tasks. Level 2 includes all the L1 texts and questions plus an additional lengthy text and questions that involve summarising, and comparing and contrasting two or more texts.

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Level 2 reading resource analysing purpose, identifying points of view, organisational and language features, and implied meaning.

Based on a BBC news article where architect Sir David Adjaye calls for a 'long overdue' black culture museum in Britain.

Editor's note

Fully mapped to the reformed Functional English content which comes into effect September 2019. 

Topical set of discussion prompt for World Book Day 2019 - but could be used at any time.

One set of general prompts and a second slightly different set of prompts for learners who are also parents (ideal for family learning situations).

Includes a full list of the revised Functional English speaking, listening and communicating content (for E2, E3 and L1) which comes into effect September 2019.

Entry Level 1 phonics cleverly disguised as a board game for 2-4 players. Based on Annie Hammersley's Dolch Words board game (still available, refer to ' See Also' for link) of 2009.

Choice of 5 boards that cover Dolch words, - aw- words and  -i-e (long 'I' silent e words).  Fully mapped to the revised Functional English content (2019) - with a complete list of E1 reading and spelling expectations. Extension activities also include spelling.

Editor's note

Make cvc words, one per group of 3 letter jumbled words. For Entry Level 1 or higher level learners who have literacy gaps.

Editor's note

Fully mapped to the revised Functional English content (2019) - with answers and a complete list of E1 reading and spelling expectations.

Short reading comprehensions on the 2019 New Year, one at L1 and one at E3. Includes some embedded maths and some E&D (references to Brexit - sorry, folks!).

Editor's note

The focus is on identifying, extracting and understanding the main points and detail. However there are also questions on fact & opinion, purpose of text, specialist words, using a dictionary and using knowledge of punctuation. Fully mapped to the new revised Functional English descriptors. With answers.

Two sets of Functional English resources based on various texts from the set of seven How We Remember texts (follow link right, under See also to download the texts). 

L1 tasks - reading questions based on Texts B ( Poppies web site) and E (A Nation's Thank you - the People's Procession) and a related writing task.

L1-2 tasks - reading questions based on Texts E (as above) and G (Nurse Mary Borden - forgotten female poet of WWI) and a related writing task that focuses on presentation devices and persuasive techniques.

A set of Functional English tasks that underpin the revised Functional Skills English content, 2018 [1].  Resources will be released gradually (as they are written!) from Oct 21st until Nov 11th 2018. All tasks are based on one or more texts from a graduated set of seven, all focusing on the 2018 Armistice Centenary commemorations. Five sets of tasks, based on Texts A, B, C, D and E are now available.