Latest Resources & Links

A PowerPoint exploring the emergency services including 112 and gas emergencies. Simple text with images to encourage discussion and awareness concerning what is and what is not classed as an emergency. There is also a set of printable flash cards with suggestions.

Editor's notes

A PowerPoint taking learners through different kinds of body language and what they mean, with a brief quiz at the end.  Topics covered include: eye contact, facial expression, posture and stance, space relationship, and gestures.

Editor's notes

This article looks at the gorgeous free growing wild bramble or blackberry.  It includes basic information (reading), spelling and grammar exercises and questions.

Editor's notes

Lovely information text that could also be useful for E3-L1 Functional Skills English. Also includes a short writing task and discussion points.  Part of Colleen's Living in the UK series. Look out for the Strawberries resource in the same series.

This article looks strawberries in the UK and how to grow your own.  It includes basic information (reading), spelling and grammar exercises and questions.

Editor's notes

Lovely information text that could also be useful for E3-L1 Functional Skills English. There are also speaking and listening tasks. Part of Colleen's Living in the UK series. Look out for the Blackberries resource in the same series.

This resource explains how and why we use the form 'had had' in English. This usage can be difficult to explain and even harder for native and non-native speakers/learners to grasp as it is used less frequently these days but still seen in more formal texts. 

It is useful for those trying to teach the topic or as part of a class session.  Use the resource/information whichever way suits you and your learners get the best out of it. 

For Level 1-2 ESOL and possibly Functional Skills English

Editor's note

A PowerPoint taking learners through the definitions of plurals, omissive apostrophes and possessive apostrophes with examples and a brief quiz.

Editor's notes

Bright and cheerful with very clear graphics and descriptions. Apostrophes appear at all levels of the Functional Skills English content (and plurals at E2 and E3) and this PPT could easily be adapted (by adding, omitting or editing slides) to suit all levels from E1 to L2. 👍

The purpose of this resource is for learners to learn the vocabulary and phrases relating to using a pharmacy in the UK; practise listening for detail, reading and writing and roleplay scenarios. There are discussion points, flash cards and exercises.

Use as a teaching aid, as assessment material or homework etc.

Editor's notes

Read a formal letter (from a bank) and, in particular, take note of the layout. Then plan and write your own formal letter to the manager of a supermarket. 

Editor's notes

I've said this before about other writing resources from Angela but I reiterate here: it’s so important for learners to have realistic exemplar/model pieces of writing so they know what they’re aiming for (see Angela's page for resources in the same vein - articles, reports, speeches and leaflets). Also useful for ESOL.

Reading comprehension based on the for countries of the UK.  

Includes basic information about each of the countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland which is followed by generic more detailed information about the NHS, education and working plus the emergency services. 

Editor's notes

Picture quiz and two sets of differentiated questions. Part of the Living in the UK series. 

A four-page resource that discusses some of the polite conventions in the UK.  Sensitively Written with ESOL learners in mind. Topics include: being polite, saying sorry and punctuality. Part of the Living in the UK series. 

Editor's notes

Although aimed at E1-E2 ESOL it would also be a useful quick starter in higher level classes. Includes exam style questions, cloze task, and discussion/role-play prompts.