Recent Changes

Changed on 25 March 2023

A reading practise exercise in the style of formal reading exams. Read about unusual hobbies and then choose multiple choice, true/false, and other questions to check a range of reading skills including tone, layout features, vocabulary and general comprehension.

Editor's notes

Written for E3 ESOL but also provides useful and relevant practice for E3-L1 Functional Skills English. Includes a proof reading question on grammar, spelling and punctuation. Interesting article on ghost hunting and keeping ants!

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L1.15 Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E3.3a Use a dictionary to find the meaning of unfamiliar words
ESOL Rs/E3.2a Recognise function of CLs, full stops, commas, question- exclamation- and speech marks, bullet points /numbering
ESOL Rs/L1.1a Use implicit & explicit grammatical knowledge to predict meaning & check for sense
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/E3.5a Locate organisational features, such as contents, index, menus
ESOL Rt/E3.7a Scan different parts of texts to locate information
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

Changed on 25 March 2023

Entry 3 activity to reinforce the importance of good attendance and punctuality in college. First activity asks students to choose and circle the correct word and further activities practise spelling, grammar, vocabulary and punctuation at Entry 3 level. 

Editor's notes

A brilliant idea and excellent practice for ESOL students - especially at the start of the academic year. 

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Use knowledge of punctuation and capitalisation
ESOL
General ESOL
ESOL Rs/E3.2a Recognise function of CLs, full stops, commas, question- exclamation- and speech marks, bullet points /numbering
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
ESOL Rs/E3.1b Use knowledge of syntax and grammar to work out meaning
ESOL Rs/L1.1a Use implicit & explicit grammatical knowledge to predict meaning & check for sense
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/L1.1a Apply knowledge about vocabulary to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Ww/L1.1b Use strategies to aid accurate spelling
ESOL Rw/E3.5a Use variety of reading strategies to read/understand unfamiliar words
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
ESOL Rt/L1.5a Use skimming, scanning and detailed reading in different ways for different purposes
Context
Education and teaching

Changed on 25 March 2023

Why do we need hobbies and interests? What impact do they have on our mental health? Slides for L1 and L2 English learners to find out more about the importance of individual and group hobbies and interests while building their English skills.

Editor's note

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.4 Communicate information / ideas / opinions clearly & accurately on range of topics
FE L1.5 Express opinions and arguments and support them with evidence
FE L2.5 Communicate information/ideas/opinions clearly/effectively with further detail/development if required
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L1.22 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly, coherently & accurately
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
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
Mental health, awareness & psychology
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

Changed on 25 March 2023

A huge and extremely comprehensive pack of resources. Written for ESOL learners but many parts are also suitable for Functional English and/or Job Skills groups. Includes:

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Functional Skills English
ESOL
General ESOL
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
Employment skills & Public services

Changed on 25 March 2023

This revision task aims to prepare students for the Entry 3 ESOL writing test.
It portrays a sample student answer to Task 1 Cambridge ESOL E3 Test 067 with accompanying teacher feedback. The idea is that your student corrects the mistakes that have been pointed out by the teacher.
It also demonstrates some effective methods of feedback that you can use to help learners improve their writing – without actually making the corrections for them.

Level
Entry Level 3
ESOL
ESOL Writing
ESOL Writing: sentence focus (punctuation and grammar)

Changed on 25 March 2023

Two one-page tasks covering: punctuation (full stops and capital letters) and writing with simple verb tenses. Use as evidence that a given learning outcome has been achieved. Also useful for diagnostic assessment.

Level
Entry Level 2
ESOL
ESOL Ws/E2.1a Construct simple and compound sentences
ESOL Ws/E2.3a Use correct punctuation, e.g. capital letters, full stops, question marks
ESOL Ws/E2.4a Use a capital letter for proper nouns

Changed on 17 March 2023

English Entry Level exam revision. This is based on the exercises in the Functional Skills Entry Level English writing exams.  It provides revision and practice in spelling and reading sentences. I use this as a starter activity, whilst the students are settling into the classroom. It is not intended to be completed at one time. The resource is kept in their folders and can also be used in spare time or for homework. 12 pages.

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
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

Changed on 17 March 2023

These sheets make great starter activities – especially when used in pairs or small groups. One for qu- words, one for -all words and a blank ‘wall’ to add your own spelling challenge.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
Ww/E1.3
Ww/E2.2

Changed on 17 March 2023

Spelling mnemonics is a huge list collected by Stella Jales and her students. Includes spellings for all levels (from ‘said’ to ‘accommodation’)

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Ww/E1.1
Ww/E2.1
AL Ww/E3.1 Spell common words
AL Ww/L1.1 Spell & use spelling strategies
AL Ww/L2.1 Spell technical words

Changed on 17 March 2023

An excellent mind map summarising spelling strategies. Useful for revision and prompting discussion with E2 -L2 learners.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Ww/E2.1
AL Ww/E3.1 Spell common words
AL Ww/L1.1 Spell & use spelling strategies
AL Ww/L2.1 Spell technical words