Latest Resources & Links

Two separate resources: one for L1, one for L2.
I developed these because of my frustration that learners (many that have already been put through constant re-sits) are expected to tackle Functional Skills exam papers and multi-step problems before they have been taught or have mastered the underpinning knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

Many aspects of place value are covered including reading & writing large numbers, ordering numbers, negative numbers, rounding, and the correct use of < and > symbols. A glossary is included.

A series of tasks designed to help learners improve their sentences and hence their writing style. These tasks assume no previous knowledge of complex sentences or subordinating conjunctions. They do assume the learner is familiar with simple sentences (i.e. one clause, one verb) and compound sentences. (See my related Entry Level ‘Halloween Compound Sentences’ resource for more on compound sentences and coordinating conjunctions).

Aimed at L1-2 students but parts could be useful at Entry 3. All tasks have a Halloween theme.

Two PowerPoint resources for discussion that can feed into Level 1 or 2 Functional Skills for English, Speaking & Listening.

Editor’s note
Also covers research, reading and writing. Great for prompting discussion among 14-19 year olds.

10/10/17 Several minor and one major correction made

[img_assist|nid=6110|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=71]These tasks assume no previous knowledge of compound sentences and/or conjunctions. They do assume the learner is familiar with simple sentences (i.e. one clause, one verb).
Aimed at E2-E3 students but could be useful at Level 1.

A set of six linked, differentiated texts about Halloween, with associated writing assessments.
Two texts for each Entry Level: an email, a party invitation, a recipe, instructions for a Halloween game, a contents page, and a newspaper article. Writing tasks include an informal note, an email, form filling, a formal letter and a report for a village newsletter.

[img_assist|nid=6104|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=71]A Powerpoint presentation designed to prompt discussion and accompanying reading comprehension to advise about avoiding scams.

Editor’s note
With curriculum mapping. Covers reading, writing and SL&C.

A Level 1 reading task based on a BBC news article about problems with London’s Victorian sewers.
It focuses on text types, reading for gist and detail, vocab building and personal responses.

Editor’s note
With Functional Skills mapping.

This is a set of work about personal information. Includes matching exercise, organising and writing sentences, and questioning – all loosely based on a simple text.

Functional skills maths.
Extract information from mileage and distance (network) diagrams. Complete a mileage chart.
Editor’s note
With worked solutions, pop up help and a final challenge question.
Ideal as an introduction or for revision.

An ESOL reading comprehension based on a BBC News report on the death of Stanislav Petrov, who averted a potential Cold War disaster in 1983.

The text contains several examples of past perfect, reported speech and third / mixed conditionals. The activity combines reading for gist, for detail, identifying vocabulary and identifying parts of speech. An extension activity gives learners an opportunity to write a similar short text, using the same elements of grammar to tell a story about a decision that changed events.