Latest Resources & Links

Reading and writing tasks based on an over-the-top article about a new ride at Nottingham’s annual Goose Fair.
The emphasis is on language features ( I HAD A FOREST) and persuasive writing but many aspects of L1-2 reading and writing are covered.

A set of six linked, differentiated texts about Valentine’s Day, with associated writing assessments.

Two texts and two writing tasks for Entry 1 and for Entry 2. One text and two writing tasks for E3, and one of each at Level 1.

Reading texts: an email, a recipe, a competition, a menu, a press release about a fun fair and a florist’s advert.
Writing tasks include form filling, an email, a restaurant review, a set of craft instructions, and a competition entry.

Answers will be available (to site contributors only) from late February 2018

Simple yet very useful and effective templates for depicting and/or visualising fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios.

I created this activity for my ESOL students but it would also work well for Functional English.
The idea is taken from Laura Jeffrey Kiiza’s text types mind map drag and drop activity (L1) – see link below under See also.

Straightforward probability questions for L2 Functional Maths (dice, playing cards, socks, pens, etc.). Includes useful practice with simplifying fractions.
Plus an interesting extension question.

Fun bingo game where learners practise measuring and drawing a grid – in addition to calculating areas and perimeters of simple shapes.

First one to a get line (or a full house) wins!

Editor’s note
Lovely idea that could easily be adapted for other topics.

A reading comprehension and vocabulary activity suitable for both ESOL and Literacy / Functional Skills. The activities are based on a BBC News article about John Cronin’s online business, John’s Crazy Socks. John, who has Down’s Syndrome, is a co-founder of the business, along with his father, Mark.

An exercise in Microsoft Word built around the content of a HR article from:
https://www.consultancy.uk/services/hr-consulting

Editor’s note
Three separate step by step activities cover paragraph formatting, working with tables, and pictures/objects.

Very topical resource based on an article about the popular, award-winning Blue Planet 2 series.
General reading comprehension questions (with a focus on reading for detail) followed by a challenging writing exercise where the learner has to email a friend and persuade them not to leave litter on the beach.
With answers and curriculum mapping.

Very topical resource about the the Blue Moon Eclipse due on 31 Jan 2018.
General reading comprehension questions followed by an interesting writing exercise where the learner has to enter a competition to win a telescope.
With answers and curriculum mapping.