Spelling skills are essential in everyday life, and word searches provide an engaging way to practice them. This simple starter or extension task, encourages learners to identify their favourite musical stars, in a wordsearch format. Scope of Study: Recognise that language and other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences and purposes Understand organisational and structural features and use them to locate relevant information (e.g. index, menus, subheadings, paragraphs) in a range of straightforward texts

An article on the topic of empolyability / preparing for a job interview. Learners are encourage to read this non fiction text, identifying and correcting numerous spelling, punctuation and grammer errors. Complete with answers sheet.

A simple and quick activity / worksheet that encourage learners to read / listen to a speech, from the film The Green Mile, to identify and analyse examples of similie. Scope of study: Compare information, ideas and opinions in different texts, including how they are conveyed Identify implicit and inferred meaning in texts Identify different styles of writing and writer’s voice

Learners are encourage to read this non fiction text, for information and deeper meaning, including interpreting the text, using the Dictionary and analysing language techniques. Learners are encouraged to form and share their own opinions. Scope of study: Identify the different situations when the main points are sufficient and when it is important to have specific details Compare information, ideas and opinions in different texts, including how they are conveyed Identify implicit and inferred meaning in texts Understand the relationship between textual features and devices, and how they can be used to shape meaning for different audiences and purposes Use a range of reference materials and appropriate resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes, including to find the meanings of words in straightforward and complex sources Understand organisational features and use them to locate relevant information in a range of straightforward and complex sources Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias Follow an argument, identifying different points of view and distinguishing fact from opinion Identify different styles of writing and writer’s voice

**Trigger warning: This resource, adapted from a BBC News Online article, features drug abuse and cannibalism, and may not be suitable for some learners. ** Learners are encourage to read this non fiction text, for information and deeper meaning, including interpreting the text, and analysing language techniques and presentation features. Scope of study: Identify the different situations when the main points are sufficient and when it is important to have specific details Compare information, ideas and opinions in different texts, including how they are conveyed Identify implicit and inferred meaning in texts Understand the relationship between textual features and devices, and how they can be used to shape meaning for different audiences and purposes Use a range of reference materials and appropriate resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes, including to find the meanings of words in straightforward and complex sources Understand organisational features and use them to locate relevant information in a range of straightforward and complex sources Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias Follow an argument, identifying different points of view and distinguishing fact from opinion Identify different styles of writing and writer’s voice

Learners are encouraged to read a non fiction text, a news article from the BBC. There are 6 accompanying questions that encourage learners to break down the text, reading for key information and **deeper meaning. ** Scope of study: Identify the different situations when the main points are sufficient and when it is important to have specific details Compare information, ideas and opinions in different texts, including how they are conveyed Identify implicit and inferred meaning in texts Understand the relationship between textual features and devices, and how they can be used to shape meaning for different audiences and purposes Use a range of reference materials and appropriate resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes, including to find the meanings of words in straightforward and complex sources Understand organisational features and use them to locate relevant information in a range of straightforward and complex sources Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias Follow an argument, identifying different points of view and distinguishing fact from opinion Identify different styles of writing and writer’s voice

Adapted from a City and Guilds past exam paper, this is a truly engaging Powerpoint I created to help break down and guide learners, to complete a Functional Skills Level 2 Reading Exam. This lesson makes reference to four non fiction texts; a magazine article (Document 2) an online forum (Document 3) and a flyer for a hypnotherapist (Document 4). The theme is ‘parenthood’ - an ideal FS English resource for those engaged in health, social, and childcare courses. Scope of study: Identify the different situations when the main points are sufficient and when it is important to have specific details Compare information, ideas and opinions in different texts, including how they are conveyed Identify implicit and inferred meaning in texts Understand the relationship between textual features and devices, and how they can be used to shape meaning for different audiences and purposes Use a range of reference materials and appropriate resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes, including to find the meanings of words in straightforward and complex sources Understand organisational features and use them to locate relevant information in a range of straightforward and complex sources Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias Follow an argument, identifying different points of view and distinguishing fact from opinion Identify different styles of writing and writer’s voice

Printable double sided reading practice / revision cards with a text to read on one side, and an exam style question on the reverse. Can be incorporated into lessons one by one as activities, or used in sequence to practice a Level 1 Reading exam. Scope of study: Identify the different situations when the main points are sufficient and when it is important to have specific details Compare information, ideas and opinions in different texts, including how they are conveyed Identify implicit and inferred meaning in texts Understand the relationship between textual features and devices, and how they can be used to shape meaning for different audiences and purposes Use a range of reference materials and appropriate resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes, including to find the meanings of words in straightforward and complex sources Understand organisational features and use them to locate relevant information in a range of straightforward and complex sources Analyse texts, of different levels of complexity, recognising their use of vocabulary and identifying levels of formality and bias Follow an argument, identifying different points of view and distinguishing fact from opinion Identify different styles of writing and writer’s voice

Printable double sided reading practice / revision cards with a text to read on one side, and an exam style question on the reverse. Can be incorporated into lessons one by one as activities, or used in sequence to practice a Level 1 Reading exam. Scope of study: Identify and understand the main points, ideas and details in texts Compare information, ideas and opinions in different texts Identify meanings in texts and distinguish between fact and opinion Recognise that language and other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences and purposes Use reference materials and appropriate strategies (e.g. using knowledge of different word types) for a range of purposes, including to find the meaning of words Understand organisational and structural features and use them to locate relevant information (e.g. index, menus, subheadings, paragraphs) in a range of straightforward texts Infer from images meanings not explicit in the accompanying text Recognise vocabulary typically associated with specific types and purposes of texts (e.g. formal, informal, instructional, descriptive, explanatory and persuasive) Read and understand a range of specialist words in context Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of straightforward texts

A full lesson, guided using MS Powerpoint Slide Deck. Centering on the theme of ‘learning to drive’ all learners will be guided to: Complete a reading comprehension task with a variety of questions. Write a blog and/or internet discussion piece using informal, but appropriate, language Explore the use of capital letters for the letter ‘I’

A full, guided lesson, using MS Powerpoint. Featuring a numeracy starter task, encouraging learners to explore percentages. All learners will: Analyse two adverts for UK based charities, and be encouraged to explore how persuasion has been used effectively Observe examples of effective speeches, including by Barack Obama. Explore the format of a speech, what persuasive techniques have been used effectively? Write a speech with a clear opening and obvious close. Explore correct use of punctuation and grammar with a focus on the use of its and it’s Some learners may: Stretch themselves to give feedback to a peer – one medal, and one mission. Topics covered; Fundraising, charity, politics

A full lesson, guiding learners to: Identify persuasive techniques within several non fiction texts. Identify information within a text and answer a variety of questions Create a leaflet / guide applying suitable layout features and language techniques Explore correct use of punctuation with a focus on using commas appropriately Some learners may also: Stretch and challenge themselves to attempt additional tasks. Numeracy is embedded within the starter task, with additional ICT embedded and encouraged through the use of QR codes. Topics included; Healthy eating, healthy lifestyles and smoking.

A full lesson contained within a Powerpoint presentation; Learners will identify differing opinons on the topic of Graffitti from a written and video text. They will communicate with others to share their own opinions, and complete a reading comprehension task based on an article, with a variety of accompanying questions including to identify the authors opinion. Learners will be prompted to write their own article using correct layout features and appropriate language, and then develop their piece with an emphasis on punctuation, including the use of exclamation marks and apostrophes. Some learners may also complete extra tasks to stretch and challenge themselves at a higher level, including applying additional persuasive techniques to their writing.

A full lesson contained within a Powerpoint presentation, guiding the learner to identify examples of formal versus informal language, read and analyse a formal complaint and write their own email complaint using appropriate language. Learners are encouraged to reflect on their own work, using the 3-2-1 method. Helpful and engaging age appropriate Domix video linked.

Adapted from a a news article by Nadia Khomami, assistant news editor at the Guardian. Reading and writing task questioning sexism in the work place. Reading questions focus on reading for information with some consideration of language techniques used to present information, differentiated by RAG rated easy through to hard, to encourage stretch and challenge. Writing task that asks learners to use a range of facts and opinions, differentiated by word count.

Adapted from a BBC News article, focusing on Nuclear Missile testing in North Korea in 2017. Reading questions focus on reading for information with some consideration of language techniques used to present information. Writing task prompted by an image, and differentiated by word count.

Adapted from a BBC News article, looking at some of the pranks pulled by corporations around the world this April 1st! Funny reading, popular with teenagers. Reading questions focus on reading for information with some interpretation of idioms.

A longer text, adapted from BBC news story about a marine who thanks his dog for saving his life. Reading questions encourage learners to scan for information and close read for a deeper meaning (including similes, idioms and implied meaning)

HUGELY POPULAR WITH MY 14-19 LEARNERS! This 22 page full colour revision booklet has engaged and enthused learners with its abundance of diverse and engaging topics selected specifically for teenagers. Includes current affairs, news and British Values. Suitable for young people studying level 1 and 2 FS English. This is an ideal resource to be distributed as a homework pack! This booklet guides learners to: Identify the main points and ideas and how they are presented in a variety of texts; Read and understand texts in detail; Utilise information contained in texts; Identify suitable responses to texts; Select and using different types of texts to obtain and utilise relevant information; Read and summarising, succinctly, information/ideas from different sources; Identify the purposes of texts and comment on how meaning is conveyed; Detect point of view, implicit meaning and/or bias; Analyse texts in relation to audience needs and consider suitable responses;