Latest Resources & Links

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Word Types - PowerPoint

A PowerPoint going through definitions and examples of nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs with a brief quiz.

Editor's notes

Clear and engaging and, as with all of Niamh's PPTs, the concluding quiz is easily adapted to suit your own learner group - whether it be ESOL, Functional English or Essential English.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FS English E2.20 Use adjectives and simple linking words
FE E3.11 Use strategies to find meaning of words e.g. dictionary, context, word types
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
ESOL
ESOL Rw/L1.3a Recognise and understand an increasing range of vocabulary
ESOL Rs/L1.1a Use implicit & explicit grammatical knowledge to predict meaning & check for sense
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives
ESOL Sc/E2.3f Give a short description

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Tricky words and silent letters

A PowerPoint taking learners through common 'tricky words' and words with silent letters, highlighting common silent letters and their rules, with a brief quiz.

Editor's notes

Useful and highly adaptable. In particular, the quiz can easily be edited to suit each learner group and the spellings they are focusing on.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E2.16 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
ESOL
ESOL Ww/E2.1b Use knowledge of sound–symbol relationships & phonological patterns when spelling
ESOL Ww/E2.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling
ESOL Ww/E3.1a Apply spelling knowledge to a wide range of common & special-interest words
ESOL Ww/E3.1b Apply knowledge of strategies to aid with spelling

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Comparing with Comparatives - for ESOL

A look at how to use the -er comparative with some simple exercises.  Explained in simple terms. Goes with my Super Superlatives resource.

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Sc/E2.2f Ask for descriptions of people, places and things
ESOL Sc/E2.3f Give a short description
ESOL Sc/E3.3b Ask questions to obtain personal or factual information
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact 
ESOL Sc/E3.4f Give a short description and make comparisons
ESOL Sc/L1.3e Describe and compare
ESOL Sc/L2.4f Describe and compare
ESOL Lr/E2.5b Respond to requests for information
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives
ESOL Ws/E3.2a Use basic sentence grammar accurately
ESOL Ws/L1.2a Use sentence grammar accurately to achieve purpose
General
Study Skills and General Teaching

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Super Superlatives - for ESOL

An exploration and explanation about using superlatives.  A large resource with explanations, discussion points and exercises. Can be adapted to suit different levels. Goes with my Comparing with Comparatives resource

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Sc/E2.2f Ask for descriptions of people, places and things
ESOL Sc/E2.3f Give a short description
ESOL Sc/E3.3b Ask questions to obtain personal or factual information
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact 
ESOL Sc/E3.4f Give a short description and make comparisons
ESOL Sc/L1.3e Describe and compare
ESOL Sc/L2.4f Describe and compare
ESOL Lr/E2.5b Respond to requests for information
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives
ESOL Ws/E3.2a Use basic sentence grammar accurately
ESOL Ws/L1.2a Use sentence grammar accurately to achieve purpose

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Young Adult Novels: opening lines and mini tasks (GCSE)

A selection of  reading (inference) tasks and creative writing prompts on the opening lines of Young Adult novels. 

Editor's Notes

Written for GCSE learners. Another highly original and engaging resource from Steph :) 

Covers opening lines from seven YA novels including John Green (Paper Towns), Rin Chupeco (The Never Tilting World) and Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me).

 

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas

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The Emergency Services in the UK

updated 3/12/24 (phone number on slide 6 corrected from 111 to 101)

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

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
FS Eng E1.2 Identify & extract the main information from short statements & explanations
FS Eng E2.1 Identify & extract main information & detail from short explanations
FS Eng E3.1 Identify & extract relevant information & detail in straightforward explanations
FE E1.7 Understand & participate in simple discussions or exchanges with another person about a straightforward topic
FE E2.6 Make appropriate contributions to simple group discussions with others about a straightforward topic
FE E3.6 Make relevant contributions to group discussions about straightforward topics
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rw/E2.2a Recognise a range of familiar words
ESOL Lr/E1.2a Listen for detail in short narratives and explanations
ESOL Lr/E2.4a Listen to, follow and respond to explanations, directions and instructions
ESOL Lr/E3.3a Listen for relevant and new information on radio, TV, video, in face-to-face situations, and over the phone
Context
Health and safety
Independent living

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Body language when speaking and listening PPT

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

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FS Eng SL&C Speaking - Communicate information, ideas & opinions
FS Eng SL&C Speaking - Make requests & ask questions
FS Eng SL&C Speaking - Respond
FS Eng SL&C Active listening
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
Adult Lit SLlr/E1.1 Listen for the gist of short explanations & register engagement
Adult Lit SLd/E2.1 Follow the gist of discussions
Adult Lit SLd/E3.1 Follow & understand the main points of discussions on different topics
Adult Lit SLlr/L1.3 Use strategies to clarify and confirm understanding, e.g. facial expressions, body language and verbal prompt
Adult Lit SLlr/L2.4 Respond to criticism and criticise constructively
Adult Lit SLd/L2.2 Adapt contributions to discussions to suit audience, context, purpose and situation
Adult Lit SLd/L2.3 Use appropriate phrases for interruption and change of topic
Adult Lit SLd/L2.5 Use strategies intended to reassure, e.g. body language, appropriate phraseology
ESOL
ESOL Lr/E2.6a Listen to and identify simply expressed feelings and opinions
ESOL Lr/E3.1c Listen for gist of explanations / instructions / narratives in face-to-face interaction / on phone
ESOL Lr/L1.2b Listen & respond, adapting to speaking, medium and context
ESOL Lr/L1.3a Use strategies to clarify and confirm understanding
ESOL Sd/E2.1b Take part in more formal interaction
ESOL Sd/L2.5a Use strategies intended to reassure, e.g. body language and appropriate phraseology

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A Celebration of British Fruit - Blackberries

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.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
ESOL
ESOL Sc/L1.3a Express statements of fact
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact 
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/L1.5a Use skimming, scanning and detailed reading in different ways for different purposes
ESOL Rs/L1.1a Use implicit & explicit grammatical knowledge to predict meaning & check for sense
ESOL Rw/E3.5a Use variety of reading strategies to read/understand unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L1.2a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different types of text, using appropriate strategies to work out meaning
ESOL Wt/E2.1a Compose simple text, selecting appropriate format for the genre and purpose
ESOL Wt/E3.2a
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Gardening & Horticulture

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A Celebration of British Fruit - Strawberries

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.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
ESOL
ESOL Sd/E3.1c Express feelings, likes and dislikes
ESOL Sc/L1.3a Express statements of fact
ESOL Sc/E3.4a Express clearly statements of fact 
ESOL Sc/L2.4b Give factual accounts 
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/L1.5a Use skimming, scanning and detailed reading in different ways for different purposes
ESOL Rs/L1.1a Use implicit & explicit grammatical knowledge to predict meaning & check for sense
ESOL Rw/E3.5a Use variety of reading strategies to read/understand unfamiliar words
ESOL Rw/L1.2a Recognise & understand vocabulary associated with different types of text, using appropriate strategies to work out meaning
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Gardening & Horticulture

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Understanding the Past Perfect Form "had had"

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

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.20 Use correct grammar e.g. subject-verb agreement, consistent use of different tenses, definite & indefinite articles
FE L2.21 Use correct grammar (subject-verb agreement, consistent use of a verb tenses, definite & indefinite articles) & modality devices
ESOL
ESOL Sc/L1.3a Express statements of fact
ESOL Sc/L1.3c Narrate events in the past
ESOL Sc/E1.4a Make simple statements of fact
ESOL Sc/L2.4a Express statements of fact
ESOL Ws/L1.2a Use sentence grammar accurately to achieve purpose
ESOL Ws/L2.2a Use sentence grammar consistently and with accuracy