Recent Changes

Lovely set of speaking, listening and discussion resources for the start of term in E1 ESOL classes. Covers taking part in social conversation; listening and responding to requests for personal information; accepting and declining offers / invitations (e.g. Would you like a sandwich?), and much more.
Includes question cards, would you like cards, food cards and a do-you-like questionnaire / ice breaker.
Full mapped and with detailed teaching ideas.

Topical set of discussion prompt for World Book Day 2019 - but could be used at any time.

One set of general prompts and a second slightly different set of prompts for learners who are also parents (ideal for family learning situations).

Includes a full list of the revised Functional English speaking, listening and communicating content (for E2, E3 and L1) which comes into effect September 2019.

Reformed Functional English assessments include group discussion at all levels beyond Entry 1.  This useful, 3 page planner can be used (with varying amounts of teacher support) from E2 to L2. Covers everything from choosing a topic, jotting down initial ideas, and making extended contributions. Also describes the different roles withing a discussion and useful phrases for each role.

With detailed Functional English mapping.   

A board game that can be used to encourage speaking skills at many levels (ESOL or Literacy). With teaching ideas and curriculum links.

Cards which can be used as a plenary or warm up to match definitions and features to types of text.
Editor’s note
With Functional English mapping

An excellent and refreshingly different circular writing activity that encourages students to explore a range of styles and write for different purposes. Ideal for consolidating work on purpose of text. The sample texts (you will never think of making a cup of tea in the same way again!) make a super resource in their own right.

I have used this organisational features matching exercise in two ways, either to test learners initial knowledge of the features or as a revision tool. 

Editor's note

Two versions - one, with images, for Entry Level and another for higher levels. Fully mapped to the reformed Functional English content which comes into effect in September 2019.

A worksheet designed to draw together all the features which identify different types of documents or texts such as emails, webpages, letters and leaflets.

I designed this a recap and to create a revision document for my learners doing Functional Skills English at Levels 1 & 2.

A recap exercise where Functional English learners match the correct aspects of formal letter writing together and lay them out in letter format.

This could be printed out and laminated but I usually give my students a printout of the first pages and they cut out the text boxes and arrange them appropriately. I have included some red herrings such as incorrect text alignment and unsuitable salutations and closures.

I have included my suggestion of the correct layout on the third page.

Five large A4 templates for web page, letter, article, email and a speech/talk.  They can be used in a variety of ways depending upon learner levels and lesson objectives. E.g. E1-E2 students can discuss and decide upon the text type and/or where they might see such document, E2-E3 learners can use them to plan or draft work. At L1 they could be displayed onscreen as a brief reminder to use different layouts for different purposes or for reading revision (of organisational features).