Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

A list of simple sentences, some of which are common sayings. They all contain a word which has more than one meaning. The list can be used to improve vocabulary, and also to show students the importance of context in understanding the meaning of a word. Could be used as a warm-up for a reading lesson.

This resource helps learners hear rhymes and recognise corresponding letters/digraphs, rimes and onsets etc. Take simple limericks and poems and get your learners to put them together.

I created my own limericks to match work we had been doing on long vowel sounds (it is not that difficult to do once you get started). Well-known poems and nursery rhymes also proved particularly popular as many knew them already by heart from childhood and some were doing them now with their children.

Visual colour-coded resource, explaining the main plural spelling rules. Created for E2/E3 learners, but could also be useful for all visual learners working between E2-L2.

Includes: colour-coded fact sheet, blank table, worksheet and flash cards to cut out and laminate. Could be used for a number of different activities.

A good mix of reading and writing resources all focusing on E1-E2 form-filling skills.
Includes: 3 forms to be filled in after reading three short descriptions; a personal form to complete, sentence work, and a matching exercise.
Fully mapped. Written for E1-E2 ESOL but also suitable for (and mapped to) Entry literacy and Functional English.

Set of integrated form filling resources used in an E1-2 ESOL class but also suitable for E3 Literacy and E2 Functional English. Includes key words and pictures, synonyms matching activity and two short reading / form filling tasks.

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.

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.

Looking at Newspapers is a wonderful example of creative differentiated teaching across all levels (E1-L2). A detailed lesson description, resources and introductory PPT are included. The lesson uses Kipling’s “What and Why and When, And How and Where and Who” to help students analyse newspaper reports and interview other students, or their teacher, to create their own reports.

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).

The Cardigan is a set of professionally written resources based on the popular reader from New Leaf Books

Includes imagery, speaking & listening, symbols, spelling (changing y to an i) and memory skills. Encourages readers to get the most out of the book.