This is a bundle of three comparing texts activities that can be used for Pearson Functional Skills English, particularly for the more challenging questions of the Level 2 Reading Exam, that is, Question 10 (identifying language features) and Question 13 (comparing texts). Although Level 1s can also benefit from these activities if adapted to suit Question 15 of the Level 1 Reading Exam. If adapted they can be used to support GCSE English Language (AQA) learners for Paper 2, Question 2 (the summary question). Topics include: dogs, vaping, hobbies and university (new!) Enjoy! T.

This resource is a GCSE English Paper 1 walkthrough for the November 2020 exam (The Silk Factory). Included is a PowerPoint of the walkthrough, using the mark scheme and responses. The question paper, sources and mark scheme is available from AQA. At the beginning of the PowerPoint there are two activities on language features.

This resource is for GCSE English Language Paper 2, Question 4. It includes a few visuals / scaffolding activities for learners, so they can deepen their understanding of what they need to do for one of the more difficult questions of the paper (worth 16 marks). I have also included a supporting ‘Quick wins’ document for the Paper 2 (Elephants past paper Nov 2019). Learners use this to support their responses to the questions for Paper 2. This can be adapted/edited to suit other past papers too. Enjoy! T.

This English resource, inspired by Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, supports learners with proofreading skills, dictionary finding skills, vocabulary, and diary writing. There are three extension writing tasks where learners are put into the perspectives of Lumiere, Cogsworth or the Beast, and have to write a leaflet, report or letter, respectively. I have used this activity with Functional Skills and GCSE English. It can be used as an independent activity for marking or 1:1 sessions. Enjoy, T.

This resource supports the development of responses for descriptive writing. Learners will engage in a range of activities to spark imagination, improve vocabulary and re-evaluate their current descriptive writing techniques. Enjoy! T.

This resource contains an extract from Stephen King’s ‘IT’ to support learners in identifying language techniques used by the writer to create an atmosphere of horror and terror. Tasks on the worksheet include, an information retrieval activity, defining inferences, spotting language features and an exam-style question. Sensitive content: students have to infer that the character has died through self harm / suicide in a bathtub. This opens up controversial and challenging conversations on mental health and it raises awareness of male suicide (Mental Health Week). Due to the release of the popular remake of the horror film ‘IT’ (Chapters 1 and 2), it was a hit with my students. Alongside this resource, I have included a Paper 1, Question 1 starter/recap activity of Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ and a student support guide on basic language features. Enjoy! T.

Collect learner feedback of the lesson and learning that has taken place by distributing these emoji exit tickets as a plenary. These work great for trainees, NQT/Ls and for reflection purposes. Tip: if they remain anonymous, learners will be honest with their comments. Enjoy! T.

Print these language features posters (on A3, A4 or on card) to make an excellent classroom display for English language and/or literature. The posters include: a language feature / method a song lyric with the feature included a definition of the language feature an appropriate visual representation of song lyrics / method. Language features: Metaphor, simile, hyperbole, semantic field, personification, pathetic fallacy, onomatopoeia, assonance, alliteration, statistics, juxtaposition, oxymoron, anthropomorphism, emotive language, repetition and rhetorical question. Enjoy, T.

This resource is for GCSE English Language and contains various song lyrics where learners spot the language features and respond to various exam-style questions to deepen their knowledge of using subject terminology, making inferences and working out the meaning. There are activities on metaphors and similes and semantic fields (5-min starters?) Song titles include: Dark horse Grenade I wanna be yours Paint it, black Queen for tonight Poker face Love is a losing game BONUS: Follow me on Kahoot! https://create.kahoot.it/profiles/7700c097-19bc-407d-ac39-6d3a8d44a491 (twheeler190) for quizzes on language features in songs. Enjoy, T.

For GCSE English Language (AQA): Paper 1, Question 5. By entering the fantasy realm in this creative writing workbook, students will develop their imagination through making and creating a dragon. The resource supports character development, identifying language features, making inferences, improving vocabulary, describing using the five senses and other targeted activities related to dragons. The resource includes an extract from J R R Tolkien’s The Hobbit (Smaug’s lair) and exam-style questions. The end activity is a creative writing piece based on an image of a dragon. Learners can choose to describe the image or write the climax of a story titled ‘Peril’. The resources has been used on post 16-19 and adult learners. It is 9 pages long and could last the entirety of a 3-hour lesson. Enjoy! T.

This workbook was designed to meet the criteria of Unit 32 - Job Search Skills. The workbook is self-explanatory and guides learners through the process of job searching, creating a personal career plan and understanding the process of appraisals. This workbook is worth 1 credit towards the qualification with a recommended 6 hours worth of guided learning hours. #TIP Alongside the workbook, I use resources and templates from Indeed and Reed to support the teaching of the career plan and appraisals. *Note: I have also created workbooks for Unit 1 - Understanding Mindset and Unit 13 - Presenting Yourself. *

This resource is a research activity into the compound words J K Rowling uses for the names of the spells in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I have used this resource in the Access to HE: Social Science and Humanities Unit, ‘Language Change’, but this could be used for any language units covering morphology and/or Latin. Enjoy! T.

These two workbooks have been created for the NCFE Employability Skills (Level 2) qualification for my Restart to Education and/or Employment course. Workbooks Unit 1_Understanding Mindset (2 credits) and Unit 13_Presenting Yourself (2 credits) are included here. Each activity is guided for learners to complete and the assessments are fit for purpose (i.e., they meet the requirements of the specification). I have adapted and jazzed up the NCFE preexisting material for Unit 1_Understanding Mindset, so I have included this in the sale price. Enjoy! T.

For GCSE English Language (AQA): Paper 1 Revision. This revision workbook (or the six steps to success) is a walkthrough that supports learners in revising for Paper 1 content, mainly Section A. The resource develops the necessary skills to support the learner in responding to exam questions. For example, learners will revise key terminology, make inferences, identify language and structural features, and are required to respond to activities to develop critical and creative thinking, Extracts from Peter Benchley’s ‘Jaws’ (for structure) and George R R Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones’ (adapted as a past paper) are included to engage learners. I have also adapted resources from ‘CGP GCSE AQA English Language: Complete Revision & Practice’. Enjoy! T.

This resource is an introductory lesson to the skills needed for GCSE English language Paper 1 using Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It includes: a spelling test script, worksheet with 3 activities and a ppt. I will be using this lesson as an Assessment Point 1 using the activities: spelling test, information retrieval, words and phrases, and a creative writing activity. Enjoy! T.

This resource supports the learning of language analysis and structural analysis for GCSE English Language (AQA) using two extracts from Peter Benchley’s ‘Jaws’. Activities include: information retrieval, identifying explicit and implicit information and making inferences, and analysing extracts. Enjoy! T.

This resource supports the learning of onomatopoeia. Learners must identify the English spelling word that sounds like how it sounds per image. This can be used as a starter or quick AfL activity. Enjoy! T.

For GCSE English Language AQA, the following resources support the content of Paper 2 using the theme of ‘being held against your will’ through a slavery nonfiction text (‘Twelve Years a Slave’) and a hostage nonfiction text (‘An Evil Cradling’). This lesson lasts around 6 hours. The slavery text is challenging therefore I suggest prior reading and annotation before beginning the lesson which may support the group. The texts work alongside a booklet that guides learners through Paper 2. I have attached some support activities alongside the booklet to help with differentiation. Enjoy! T.

This GCSE English Language (AQA) resource supports the development of identifying symbolism, introducing semantic field through the use of songs and other unique activities to support the development of identifying language features and making inferences. The main activity will involve students watching the opening montage of the hit TV series of Dexter. They will analyse the structure and symbolism of the montage (through media/film analysis) and create a storyboard of the main events within the montage. They will then apply this visual learning to Lindsay’s Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Something different. Enjoy! T.

Using the horror genre, this lesson supports the development of descriptive writing through making imaginative suggestions using three images of a haunted castle (the castle, the hall and music room). The only piece of information you need to give is that Vladimir is a vampire and let the learners do the rest. This promotes class discussion and is great over the Halloween period. Enjoy! T.