FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)

L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)

Subject content [reformed] functional skills: English (DfE, Feb 2018): 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/functional-skills-subject-content-english

Move Leap Day L1-L2 reading tasks

Update 27/2/24: If you are a resource contributor, the answer sheet should be ready tomorrow morning - I just have a few questions to finish off tonight. Please email me (or message via Twitter ) if you would like a copy. 

Based on two adapted newspaper articles (an article and a comments page), this bumper set of 22 reading questions covers all the L1 & L2 Functional Skills English reading content descriptors, using assessment-style questions. There are two texts and the paper is split into three sections. 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
FE L2.13 Identify implicit & inferred meaning in texts
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
Context
Science, Nature & Weather
Mental health, awareness & psychology
News, Politics & Government items

Burns Night L1-L2 reading tasks

Based on an adapted newspaper report, this set of 26 reading questions covers many L1 and L2 Functional Skills English content descriptors. Unlike assessment papers, the 24 questions are arranged under topics so could be used for targeted revision: purpose and main points, detail and inference, punctuation (for understanding), style and tone, words and language, organisational features. Some questions are deliberately challenging and you may want all learners to tackle all the questions.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L1.11 Identify meanings in texts & distinguish between fact & opinion
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.13 Identify implicit & inferred meaning in texts
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
History, culture, museums, libraries

Purpose of Texts

Purpose of Texts with examples.

Editor's notes

One page of information about 5 text purposes: informative, advisory, instructional, descriptive and persuasive. Followed by 11 short texts and a fill-in answer sheet. Decide the main purpose of each text. Great for Functional Skills English and ESOL. :)

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E2.2a Understand & identify the different purposes of short, straightforward texts
ESOL Rt/E3.2a Distinguish between different purposes of texts at this level
ESOL Rt/L1.2a Know how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes
ESOL Rt/L2.2a Identify the purposes of a wide range of texts, whether inferred or explicitly stated

Sycamore Gap Functional English tasks

Read adapted texts about the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree.  Tasks cover vocabulary and dictionary work, informal language, idioms and language work.

Editor's notes

Two page text from two BBC News articles that has been cleverly  adapted to focus on recognising and understanding typical features of informal text such as slang, contractions, idioms and hyperbole. Further questions cover general comprehension and inference.

There's also a question that can be used as a discussion prompt or a short writing task.

 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FS Eng L1.5 Express opinions and arguments and support them with evidence
FS Eng L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.13 Identify implicit & inferred meaning in texts
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L1.22 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly, coherently & accurately
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Context
News, Politics & Government items
Science, Nature & Weather

Bored Security Guard Functional English tasks

Reading, writing and discussion tasks based on this news story from the Metro website: 'Bored' security guard draws eyes on £740,000 painting in gallery | Metro News

For E3, L1,L2 Functional Skills English. 

Editor's notes

A lovely engaging story with a wide range of reading questions, three writing tasks (article/blog, letter, description) and a discussion prompt.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE SL&C Discussion
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE WRITING Use format, structure & language (to meet purpose & audience)
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Heatwave! Functional English tasks for all levels

Written in and inspired by the July 22 heatwave where temperatures in the UK exceeded 40 degrees! 

Three texts about hot weather and its effects on the body. Questions start at Entry Level 1 and progress to Level 2. L1-2 Learners will still need to access the Entry Level texts as the final questions involve comparing two or more texts. 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E1.9 Read simple sentences containing one clause
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E1.11 Punctuate simple sentences with capital letter & full stop
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E2.12 Use illustrations, images & captions to locate information
FE E2.14 Form regular plurals
FE E2.15 Use 1st & 2nd letters to sequence words alphabetically
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE E3.16 Use 1st, 2nd & 3rd letters to sequence words alphabetically
FE L1.10 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
Context
Health, Social care, Early years
Health and safety

EDS Unit 3 (Communication) with embedded English tasks

Slides designed to support delivery of Gateway's EDSQ (Essential Digital Skills Qualification), Unit 3, at Entry Level and Level 1, with embedded Functional Skills English activities at L1 and L2. This set of slides covers skills from section 3 of the standards (Communication) which covers email, video-calling, etc. The main focus of the slides is communicating via email. Also includes many useful links to Wordwall quizzes and other online learning applications. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.3 Respond effectively to detailed questions
FS Eng L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FS Eng L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.19 Identify different styles of writing & writer’s voice
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
FE L1.22 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly, coherently & accurately
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
ICT
Essential Digital Skills
EDS: Communicating
Communicating & sharing - Entry Level
Communicating & sharing - Level 1
Context
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

Vocabulary for Entry 3 Reading ESOL

A knowledge organiser / vocabulary crib sheet for Entry 3 Reading, along with two WordWall quizzes for students to test their understanding. Vocabulary is based on the City and Guilds ESOL reading assessments at Entry 3 and covers text types, purpose, layout and images. 

Wordwall quiz 1 - text type and purpose

Wordwall quiz 2 - types of images

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E2.12 Use illustrations, images & captions to locate information
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E1.2a Recognise that the way a text looks can help predict its purpose
ESOL Rt/E2.2a Understand & identify the different purposes of short, straightforward texts
ESOL Rt/E3.2a Distinguish between different purposes of texts at this level
ESOL Rt/L1.2a Know how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes

English - Career based session - Nursing and Healthcare

Interested in becoming a nurse or working in the Healthcare sector? What are the benefits? What do you need to know before you get started? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about their career choices (in this case, joining the healthcare sector) while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information & lines of argument in explanations & presentations
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L1.3 Respond effectively to detailed questions
FE L2.3 Respond effectively to detailed or extended questions & feedback
FS Eng L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.17 Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L1.25 Write consistently & accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Context
Health, Social care, Early years
Employment skills & Public services

English - Career based session - Care work

Why might we become a care worker, and what are the benefits? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about their career choices (in this case, becoming a care worker) while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.1 Identify relevant information & lines of argument in explanations & presentations
FE L1.3 Respond effectively to detailed questions
FS Eng L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L2.1 Identify relevant information from extended explanations or presentations
FE L2.3 Respond effectively to detailed or extended questions & feedback
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.16 Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive)
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Context
Health, Social care, Early years
Employment skills & Public services
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