I thought people would be interested in this resource. I have used it a lot, particularly with Entry students, to get them used to using a dictionary and to practise the different types of words. It also helps them practise alphabetical order.
Written for students to practise their skills just before the old-style multiple choice literacy exams – but it can be used to check many Functional English reading and writing skills at any time.
A useful game I created to help my students understand and recognise different types of documents. It is particularly useful as a plenary. I first used it several years ago in an observed lesson, and the game was highly complimented!
Editor’s note
With extensive instructions, differentiation ideas and full Functional English mapping.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Rt/L2.2 Identify the purpose of a text and infer meaning which is not explicit
Based on an hilarious Comics Relief YouTube clip. A great way to get students to look at conversations in speaking and listening or to look at humour, irony and sarcasm.
You can vary the questions or just use them as a discussion prompt. I have found it works well with lower level learners and with higher ones as well. Even students who don’t like the shows or the people will have some comments
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Beautiful set of L1-2 Reading comprehension exercises. Includes Medieval Christmas, Victorian Christmas, Post-War Christmas, etc. The main focus is reading for detail but there are also vocabulary and dictionary questions.
Based on a series of BBC British History web pages of the same name – but note that only nine “ages” are included in this resource! (There is no Georgian/Regency Christmas).
Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Rt/L2.3 Identify the main points and specific detail
Rt/L2.1 Trace and understand the main events of continuous descriptive, explanatory and persuasive texts
A short E2 text with comprehension questions suitable for literacy and ESOL. It continues the theme started in the Mark, Chloe, Paul and Alice series of 4 texts (see below).
The emphasis in all texts is on family members and occupations which makes theme ideal for building vocabulary in ESOL students (as well as providing useful reading practice for E2 Literacy).
Level
Entry Level 2
English
AL Rt/E2.1 Follow main points of short texts
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
This resource has been updated to reflect the Reformed Functional Skills English content that came into effect in 2019. It has been split into three new resources - see links under "See also".
A thoughtful worksheet that is bound to provoke discussion about the ‘best’ way to work out percentages and helps learners see the links between decimals, percentages and fractions. Also suitable for L2 Functional Maths.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Maths
AN N2/L1.9 Find simple percentage parts of quantities and measurements
Children in Need is a topical comprehension about the BBC appeal. 12 questions which require reading in detail. Text updated August 2011
Note there is now also an ESOL E2-E3 version available.
Three one-page tasks covering: write a simple sentence, recognise signs/symbols and follow a simple narrative. Use as evidence that a given learning outcome has been achieved. Also useful for diagnostic assessment and Entry 1 literacy.
Level
Entry Level 1
English
General literacy / English
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Ws/E1.1a Construct a simple sentence, using basic word order & verb form
