Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

Detailed instructions on how to play this very funny and effective game. The literacy curriculum introduces adverbs at Level 1 but this game will be enjoyed at al levels and can be used to demonstrate verbs only at lower levels.

Makes a good end of term or pre-test activity. 24 fun yet challenging questions cover advanced punctuation (apostrophes, colons, semi-colons), spelling, suffixes, fact/opinion, vocabulary, parts of speech, and more. Can be used individually or in teams.
A separate answer sheet is also available (see below). Thanks to Marion Martin for writing this.

A substantial set of resources for BTEC Sport students. Based on a Functional English lesson given on Sport Relief day (but suitable for any time of year as it is based on the Back Up charity for spinal cord injuries – not Sport Relief). Includes

Straightforward but useful resource where a list of clients’ names must be listed alphabetically.

Five contextualised tasks – ideal for embedding Functional English in catering courses. Tasks include writing an advert, a proof reading exercise, designing a menu and writing a formal business letter. With teaching tips and mapped to E3-L2 Functional English writing.

Have a bit of fun whilst revising Level 2 Functional English reading! Based loosely on an Edexcel L2 practice paper (see links within the resources). Learners will need to have access to the three driving- related texts (insurance letter, newspaper article about road rage, and satnav road safety information) in order to answer the so you want to be a millionaire questions. These are available below as a separate download. Great for skimming and scanning practice.

A 4 week scheme of work for OCN E3 Garden Horticulture. Great example of embedding aspects of all three Functional Skills into a vocational course. 4 × 2 hour sessions covering identifying weeds and vegetables; sowing seeds, bulbs and tubers; and preparing growing beds.
With detailed E3 Functional Maths,English and ICT mapping charts showing embedding of measuring, internet searching, reading instructions, writing plant profiles, etc.

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.

Super set of three ICT task sheets that successfully embed Functional ICT, Functional English and even some Functional Maths!
Each task sheet involves composing, sending and replying to work-based emails: based in a dental surgery, a health centre and a travel agency.
Please also download the separate, very detailed, Functional Skills mapping document which includes differentiation ideas, teaching tips and embedding ideas.

Set of challenging L2 discussion, writing (and even movie production!) tasks. Particularly suitable for older learners who remember the Tomorrow’s World TV show and/or technology lovers. A link to the BBC video archive is included. Writing tasks include informal and formal letters and a persuasive essay.