Spelling Workbook

A comprehensive booklet covering all the basics someone needs to know to understand how the English spelling system works. It provides explanations, examples and brief practice activities. The materials are best used over a period of time, supplemented and reviewed for application.

Editor's notes

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE E2.16 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E3.17 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 3
FE L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
FE L2.22 Spell words used in work, study & daily life, including a range of specialist words
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation
GCSE Writing AO6 Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation
ESOL
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
ESOL Ww/L1.1b Use strategies to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/L2.1b Develop strategies to aid accurate spelling
General
Study Skills and General Teaching
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond

Major update to Persuasive Writing Techniques - now a suite of four resources

27 May 2026

Major update May 27  Posted only 12 days ago, this excellent resource now comes with three additional resources: sample text (Why Dogs are Better than Cats), handout summarising the PPT, and a wonderful 4 page workbook.

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Persuasive Writing Techniques Powerpoint, Workbook, Handout and Examples

Major update May 27:  Now with three additional resources - sample text (Why Dogs are Better than Cats), a handout summarising the information in the PPT, and a wonderful 4 page workbook. All designed to consolidate and practise the work covered in the PPT.

A slideshow presentation showing the purpose of, examples of, and types of persuasive techniques used in writing. The topic of recycling features strongly (ands dogd and cats to alesser extens!, making these resources accessible and of interest to a wide audience.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
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
FE L2.18 Follow an argument, identifying different points of view & distinguishing fact from opinion
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
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

Artemis II Mission - April 2026

14 April 2026
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L1-2 English FS Writing - 12 week plan with resources

A writing scheme of work/medium term plan for L1+2 Functional Skills (FS) English, designed for the Pearson assessment. It is a 12 lesson unit designed to equip learners with the skills needed to write successfully and confidently in their wider lives, as well as pass their FS writing assessment. The lessons offer differentiated options for L1 and L2 learners, so the plan can be used at either level, or for mixed ability groups. The plan outlines the content of each lesson, along with PPTs, PDF worksheets, online quizzes and video links.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
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 L1.21 Spell words used most often in work, study and daily life, including specialist words
FE L2.22 Spell words used in work, study & daily life, including a range of specialist words
FS Eng L1.25 Write consistently & accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate
FS Eng L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format & structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
FE L1.22 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly, coherently & accurately
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience

What do these abbreviations mean? AN FM AL FE

Maths and English resources are mapped to Functional Skills, GCSE and the Adult Literacy / Numeracy Core Curricula.

AN - an Adult Numeracy Core Curriculum element.
AL - an Adult Literacy Core Curriculum element.

FM - a Functional Maths content descriptor (2018) or a legacy Functional Maths coverage and range statement (2011)
FE - a Functional English content descriptor (2018) or a legacy Functional English coverage and statement (2011)

Possessive apostrophes

Major update 19/01/24 written in 2005 but updated and re-mapped to reflect the Reformed Functional English Content. Page one is will prompt discussion and is probably best tackled in pairs or small groups. Page 2 is a handout with plenty of examples to study before moving on to the final pages of challenging exercises.

Answers are available (resource contributors only) please see answer sheets page for more details

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Adult Lit Rs/L2.2 Use punctuation to help interpret the meaning and purpose of texts
Apostrophes
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
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
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L1.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity and meaning
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
ESOL Rs/L2.2a Use wide range of punctuation to help interpret meaning and purpose

Complex sentences

Major update 21/5/26 Use subordinating conjunctions to extend simple sentences, with a "stretch" extension activity. A straightforward single page resource - ideal for revision or homework.

Editor's note

I first wrote this resource in 2004. Now updated to reflect the Reformed Functional Skills content. 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FS Eng L1.25 Write consistently & accurately in complex sentences, using paragraphs where appropriate
FS Eng L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
Adult Lit Ws/L1.1 Write in complete sentences
Adult Lit Ws/L2.1 Construct complex sentences
Functional Skills English
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Ws/L2.1a Use a range of sentence structure which is fit for purpose

English / Cooking / Forest School

Hi, I'm a teacher in a small secondary PRU in Sherborne in Dorset. 

We have about 25 pupils on roll and we teach in person, online and off-site. 

I have found your site really useful - especially for teaching Functional Skills English to very reluctant and long-term school-absentees, so thank you.

Richard B

Praise for a fellow contributor

Hi Maggie, I'd like to pass on some praise:

I've been teaching a mixed L1/L2 class this term and Steph Gilford's resources have been an absolute goldmine. I've used them to mix and match too - e.g. using her language feature "bingo" resource for learners to fill in the "glossary" sheets. I highly recommend them to others. She's done a great job of making things accessible and engaging as well as clear.

Isabel Jordan
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