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
Written as a resource for distance learners with good reading skills who were challenged by some of the questions in the Level 1 Numeracy test.
I wanted to give them different methods of working out multiplication and division questions in particular – emphasising that multiplication is the reverse of division, and that multiplication is the same as repeated addition. The idea of division as repeated subtraction is also introduced.
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 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
Autumn Festivals – Entry 3 comprehension questions (also includes alphabetical ordering and dictionary work) based on a short text about autumn festivals from different cultures and faiths. The short text is from the Autumn Apple Cake resource (see below) which you will also have to download.
A substantial L2 non-fiction text with some technical vocabulary. It includes many comprehension questions – some short with closed answers, others require critical, thoughtful answers. Summarising and proof reading skills are also covered.
Plus a substantial follow-up writing task with very useful planner and paragraph drafting pages (these could be used for planning and drafting any extensive piece of writing).
A challenging, 24 piece hexagonal jigsaw where you must match ratios to their simplified versions. Also makes a great revision activity for revising times tables and common factors. As usual with Tarsia puzzles, you can choose to print either a standard or large version of the puzzle (select Output – large, i.e. three pieces per A4 sheet).
