A Christmas/end of term lesson for English GCSE language for AQA. Starter 10 minutes define sophisticated vocab Celebrations taboo 20 minutes Word search of language techniques 15 minutes A05 practice 15 minutes Identify four things from the video and discuss 10 minutes AO2 use inference to get meaning from nonsense sentences 10 Minutes Writing puns (AO5) Students write cheesey jokes based on the prompts. 15 minutes. Over the break game where students build on each others activities 10 minutes Team quiz with 12 questions - sorry theres a promise of chocolate for the winners at the end. Plenary match up of the sophisticated words from the beginning.

A quick revision of paper 1 for AQA GCSE English language aimed at lower ability students, can be adapted to be part of a entire lesson, original mini texts have been written so students can attempt to write one PEE paragragh on each. For question 5 there is no picture due to copywrite concerns, so you can add a pictuure that is relevent to your group. One sample answer is included for question 2, detailing how to write a PEEZL paragrapgh and for question three some of the strtuctual techniques have been annotated. This has been used as a quick revision activity and has lasted a group about an hour and a half, if they only write one PEE paragraph per question. The texts are of my own creation and have been deliberatly written to include the techniques the students need to know for this exam. For the question 5 there is a planning sheet with some words that are aimed towards using more sophisticated vocabulary but the students do not need to use these words it is only a suggestion and will not apply to each example that they need to provide of the GOMASSIVE techniques. This is means as a quick recap and revision.

Level 1 functional skills lesson that suits the new specification, can also be taught to lower levels if paced out. Starter - Write a different sentence to match a specific purpose. 10 Minutes Recap - skimming and scanning activity - 10 Minutes Parts of the exam explained Purpose and auidence mini text and questions - 15 Minutes Proofreading activity - 10 Minutes Developing your answers and how to start Plenary - quiz to test learning so far. Hour and a half in total. Second lesson (included) Starter - expressing your opinion on three statements - 10 to 15 minutes (dependent on discussions) Recap - match up of purposes - 5 Minutes Plurals and then SPaG activity - 10 Minutes Comprehension activity based on fortnight - 15 minutes How to write an article Choice between two articles to write - 15-20 Minutes Plenary - Age ratings discussion on computer games.

A great quiz to do just before your students break up for the Christmas holidays questions are broken down into different styles to keep it interesting and are as follows: Emoji round - Students guess what Christmas phrase is being hinted at and they are given a clue as to how many words this contains - three questions in total using this style. Anagrams - Students are given a mixed up word and have to decode it - Three questions in total for this. Other celebrations - questions focused on different religious holidays to make the quiz more inclusive, great for equality and diversity. 2 questions but in two parts as the second one is a picture based question. Christmas songs - match up the lyrics and match up the band. 4 different song lyrics and 4 different bands. Christmas films - student’s look at pictures and try and guess the film that is being referred to 4 photos in total. Answers - I will also include a link to watch this on Youtube should that be the format you wish to use when delivering this quiz. The powerpoint is entirely editable but should take around twenty five mins to complete depending on the age of your students.

A bundle with a resource and power point slides dealing with the assessment objectives of level 2 functional skills English, topics covered are: Purpose of text Reading between the lines. Understanding the writer. Spotting different types of text. Spotting layout techniques. Spotting language techniques. Identifying tone and style. Each activity has an extension task and an answer sheet. All resources are editable to change if you wish. Ideal for home learning. Could be of a great help to native English speakers currently in year 6, great for home learning.

Revision for level 1 functional skills with some progression towards GCSE. It has extension activities, a planning sheet and a self assessment table - the lesson has been designed to last about an hour and a half and encourages the students to write a target at the end. I’m using it for some final prep for a level 1 group where some are about to sit their writing and others their reading.

Activities designed to help students get full marks for technical accuracy showing them what they have to do in the minimal amount of writing.

Reading for information is about teaching students how to extract particular pieces of information from a text. Its a functional skill that enables them to use English for everyday life, things like looking at holiday deals and train timetables. I’ve put all the resources on one sheet and included a separate answer sheet so that it can easy to follow for home learning. Some of the texts are based on crime and punishment. It covers: Fact and opinion Skimming and scanning Some speaking and listening opportunity in the form of a class debate using information on crimes and punishments. Exclamation marks and possessive apostrophes. Further learning is included with a separate document and a skimming and scanning video.

A short activity and power point to be used as a warm up or induction activity.

These are some mini texts I wrote along with a few comprehension questions I’ve used it for E3-L1 functional skills lessons. The texts are about credit score (to give an idea of the things a student needs to know about the future) and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (there’s a lot of videos online about conflict avoidance this) and one jokey text about bad ways to break up with someone.

A full lesson on question 3 paper 1 (two hours approx) A resource staring with matching structural techniques with their definitions , moving onto using structural techniques within creative writing to showing students how to analyse a text in terms of question 3 paper 1, I provide the text and then show where the techniques would be identified on the answer sheet then I provide a sample answer selecting one of the quotes I have found in the text and give students a chance to complete their own PEACE paragraph with a peer marking table at the end.

I made a reading test for students to practice their skills. I wrote my own texts and based the questions of the new post 2019 Edexcel reform of the level 2 functional skills. The texts are in an editable word document, I put the questions and answers on a power point but I also included a copy of the questions on a word document. 15 questions in total same as the exam students are expected to spend 75 minutes on this, same as the exam. All resources are fully editable so if there’s anything you don’t like it can be fixed easily but I tried to represent every question that the students may face in the exam.

An English lesson based on Remembrance Day for AQA GCSE English paper 2 or any persuasive writing task. Students are shown and practice the following skills: Sentence variation Structure of paragraphs and discourse markers DAFORREST techniques How to write a letter in the correct layout. Includes a speaking and listening task on the orals and principles of war, which builds up to a writing task where students have to respond to a letter where they have been conscripted. The lesson has been designed to last about two hours if given the time to complete a full letter. All resources are editable.

A lesson looking at the basics of language analysis. In particular question 3 paper 2. I’ve made this lesson with a strong focus on target setting, the students have an option to choose between three SMART targets to be reviewed at the end of the lesson. The lesson focuses on the basics of language analysis, focusing first on students being able to identify language techniques using scanning, then looks at re writing common similes and metaphors. Students are then introduced to PEA paragraphs and those who want to push themselves PEACE paragraphs. There is a self/peer marking slide with a brief explanation as to how it is marked in the exam. My idea was to be for this to be an introduction into into language analysis for grade 3/4 students although I’ve included activities for those who wish to achieve grade 5 and above.

Exam question Practice A resource designed for higher level GCSE English Language students, looks at using techniques in their writing and works on developing students work so that it achieves marks for compelling and convincing communication. should last about 40 minutes

A text I wrote based on personal opinions about going to university with questions to suit the level 1 functional skills reading exam for 2019 Photo by Nong Vang on Unsplash

Persuasive and analytical writing. Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

A short activity and video about omission of words.

A worksheet where students can practice identifying sources and then writing their own senses to images, video and powerpoint included so can be used as home learning.