Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

I wanted to introduce the concept of basic parts of speech (nouns and verbs) to my E1 class, even though the terms as such are above E1, to help them get their heads around sentence building.  I put this resource together to focus on nouns and proper nouns which I’ve used as the basis for a couple of sessions on sentence structure and punctuation (capitalisation).

Editor's note

Updated May 26 (new images & formatting): A PPT session that introduces learners to the Level 1 and 2 Functional Skills SL&C assessments and provides some small group tasks and brainstorms. Aimed at adult learners and linked to employability.

Editor's note

Easily adapted for any Awarding Organisation and any discussion topic.

A reading comprehension exercise with a writing task included for Level 1 and 2.

Based on a recent article on the BBC News website about Gavin Williamson and the subject of mobile phones in schools and the use of technology during the lockdown.  A topic that is certain to get the students engaged!

Included is a basic guide on how to write an article.

Editor's notes

Includes separate answer sheet and curriculum mapping. The guide to writing an article is really useful.

A set of  Entry Level 1 Functional English tasks based on an article from Spring 2020 about finding wild plants in towns. Designed for a mixed ability class so that everyone could be working on the same theme. [An E2-3 version is also available]. Includes multiple choice comprehension questions; sentence writing, punctuation and alphabetical order questions; and speaking and listening activities.

Updated 11 Mar 21

Related 'Garden Birds' word search now added. This extra activity is based on the "Guide to the top 10 garden birds" poster that appears on page 2  of the Entry Level 1 resource.

Two reading comprehension exercises differentiated for EL1 and EL2/3 Functional Skills English. The Entry Level 1 version also includes speaking and listening activities.

Developed after a training session with Geoff Petty, I use this self-assessment checklist for mixed level groups. 

Although colour-coded to various levels, the idea is that any learner, regardless of level, can use the checklist to assess their own writing, and map their strengths and weaknesses.  It also helps  teachers to see how effectively learners are able to self-evaluate.   I have found it to be a really good tool to foster independent learning.

Editor's note

I created this resource to try to engage my learners during lockdown. There are two reading tasks based on the same text, which I adapted for level 1 learners by using more basic vocabulary. The reading task can then be followed by the writing a blog task and I have included a step by step sheet to help with the writing task.

This set of steps (taken from Coady & Nation (1988)) with a worked example shows students one process for doing a ‘best guess’ of what to do when they come across a new word. Followed by a set of 10 exercises with some lovely, unusual words.

Editor's note
Fully mapped to GCSE and the new 2018 Functional English content

This booklet has many different tools to improve spelling that have been collected from various sources (a list of these resources can be found in the back of the book).

For E3 upwards it could be used as a self-study booklet. For levels before E3 it may be useful to 'cherry pick', be used as a tutor manual and/or an in-class group activitiy.

It has been designed to be printed as a booklet (A5 per page, in Adobe select print and then just short of half way down the page you will find the option to print as a booklet), unless you wish to print it in A4.

A-Z chart of pictures with the corresponding initial sound. I’ve tried to select pictures which Beginner ESOL adults will recognise.