Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

Fabulous series of reading; writing; and speaking, listening and communication tasks aimed at L1-2 and based on the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.
Includes 10 reading questions, summarising, dictionary work, discussion, writing prompts, and further ideas for extra Functional English (FE) work. Fully mapped to FE. Although topical this resource provides useful practice at any time of year.

Originally used pre-2010-election in a mixed ability (E1-L2) group but also makes an excellent Functional English resource at any time.
Detailed 2.5 hour lesson plan includes discussion, mini-presentations, web research and paired writing. Includes internet research guidance sheets, scaffolded gap-fill sheet to help with the web research task and a sample MP information sheet. Ideal for (and fully mapped to) E3-L2 Functional English.

Stop FE/HE Education Cuts is a set of 6 photographs (taken in Hackney, March 2010). Each accompanied by questions to get learners thinking about the effects of proposed education cuts (spring 2010). Designed to accompany any of the 4 related resources on this topic (see below) and ideal for prompting discussion about the importance of education for all.
Contributed by Rebecca Galbraith, Rose Veitch and Rachel Emmett.

The first set of Step 2 stories in the wonderful Readwell Road reading scheme for adults. All stories are written for adults and reflect real-life situations. These three Entry Level 1-2 texts continue the stories introduced in Step 1 books A-C (see below). Ron and Pam’s Post Office may be closed; the continuing saga of Peg at the pub and her man Sam; and poor old Jim, who lives in the bungalow at No. 1, and his bad back.
Also includes teaching ideas, discussion points and activities for one story.

A very useful listening exercise and the first one we have to specifically cover this curriculum element (listen for and identify the main points of short explanations or presentations).
Transcriptt to read out (or record), questions to ask, and extension ideas. The script is about travelling to a staff conference, making it ideal for work skills students.

The second set of Step 1 stories in the wonderful Readwell Road reading scheme for adults. All stories are written for adults and reflect real-life situations. These three Entry Level 1 stories introduce the people who live at No. 3. (Wil and Lal, second marriage, 3 kids between them), No. 5 (Helen & Adam, big house, one son who’s not allowed any pets) and No. 7 (Mick & Lin, both work as cooks but their jobs are in danger).
Also includes teaching ideas, discussion points and activities for one story.

An unusual and very useful exercise written for preparation for work students who were nervous of taking messages and writing down information. It also provides useful reading and comprehension practice for all Entry Level learners and will prompt discussion on the importance of asking the right questions and writing down messages.
Ideal for Entry Level work skills students and for underpinning Entry 2 Functional English. Fully mapped to E2 Functional English crieria and the Skills for Life curriculum.

The first three stories in the wonderful Readwell Road reading scheme for adults. These three Entry Level 1 stories introduce the people who live at the pub, the shop and at no. 1 (a bungalow).

A set of question words that can be used in E1 ESOL classes at the start of the year. Also ideal for Literacy students (asking questions and sentence structure). To be cut up and reconstructed by learners as the teacher calls out various questions.

A set of two resources:
PPT with audio, so you can leave students pressing the left button and repeating the words, while you attend to others. 13 different objects such as pen, stapler, ruler, etc. are covered.
Classroom equipment cards
These cards show some items of vocabulary for equipment which could be requested in class. 12 different objects such as calculator, pencil case, rubber, etc. are included. Cards can be used with or without the words attached – see ideas below.
Picture cards only: