A simplified reading about cyclones with reference to the two cyclones in Australia in February 2015 followed by some exercises. The exercises are at different levels to meet the very different abilities of students in my class.
Editor’s note
Lovely selection of reading materials and exercises – includes fill-in tables, questions, word searches (two levels), and a blank map to add cyclone paths. E1-E3.
Update (28/2/15)
Small error in wind speed chart now corrected.
A first person autobiographical account of life in outback Australia.
Exercises include comprehension questions using when, where etc.
A revision of past tense verbs – regular and irregular.
A fill the gap using the correct verb tense.
A writing prompt for students to write about themselves – emphasising the use of conjunctions and short paragraphs.
A Wordsearch.
Includes a glossary of Australian words used in the text.
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
Wt/L1.1
Wt/E3.2
AL Wt/E3.1 Plan & draft writing
Ws/L1.2
Ws/L1.1
Ws/E3.2
Ws/E3.1
AL Rt/L1.1 Understand continuous texts
AL Rt/E3.1 Understand longer texts
ESOL
ESOL Wt/L1.1a
ESOL Wt/E3.2a
ESOL Wt/E3.1a Recognise the process of planning and drafting
ESOL Ws/L1.2a
ESOL Ws/L1.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Ws/E3.2a Use basic sentence grammar accurately
ESOL Ws/E3.1a Write using complex sentences
ESOL Rt/L1.1a Understand how meaning is built up in paragraphed texts
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
Reading and related activities focusing on a simplified version of a BBC news article reporting the results of the 2021 Australian Census. Ideal for practising reading strategies including: relating images to text, using headings, skimming, scanning and using context to predict. My (Australian) students found it challenging but were engaged in the content. Lots of possible ways it could lead into other written and oral activities. Numbers and a graph involved so can also be used to revise numeracy concepts such as percentages and extracting information from graphs.
Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
General literacy / English
FE READING main points & detail
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
[img_assist|nid=4771|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=69]Another great set of three comprehension resources from Australia. Each with a related, differentiated crossword puzzle. All based on the same Australian news article about the danger of swooping magpies.
The Satellite (Australia) September 13 2010 http://www.thesatellite.com.au/story/2010/09/13/steer-clear-of-swooping…
An easy reading for beginners followed by complete the sentence exercise and a prompt to write about themselves. Two sheets – one for British students, one for Australian learners.
Level
Entry Level 1
English
AL Rt/E1.1 Read short familiar texts
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
Major update 17/5/23written for Legacy FS in 2011 but fully updated to reflect the Reformed Functional English Content.
This is a handout aimed at L1 Functional English learners. It contains brief guidance on exam technique for the reading exam followed by detailed, updated help with the writing exam. This has tips on maximising marks in the 7 key areas that an examiner looks at (4 areas for composition and the three SPaG areas)
Although written for Level 1 it would also serve as a useful reminder for Level 2 students
Level
Level 1
English
Functional English reading
FE WRITING Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
Written specifically for the new reformed English content which expects secure homophone skills at much lower levels than previously. Covers 6 of the 22 homophone spellings required at E3 using differentiated sets of cloze exercises. 7 sets each with 15 questions / sentences plus detailed teaching notes and an appendix listing all E1, E2 & E3 spellings.
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
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