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.

Functional skills lesson to prepare the students for sitting the writing exam. Looks at fact and opinion/ understanding the wording of the questions, the spelling rules and practice of Cial and Tial suffixes and the Sion and Tion rule. Also looks at using adjectives (for writing question 1) and using information from a text in the form of buying a car (writing question 2). Should last over two hours. With every task it took me over three hours. https://youtu.be/41ouOkG3sNM

A video, power point and resource on common mistakes to avoid for anyone about to do the level 1 functional skills exams. Originally intended as home learning but it can be adapted to suit a face to face lesson. Activity 1 is looking at an article I wrote on ‘Fortnight’ and identifying the labeled layout techniques. Activity 2 answers a question about the common mistakes people make in these exams. Answers included and Youtube version is available on my channel.

A quick starter activity for functional skills students who want to practice their skimming and scanning skills, will attach a reading comprehension with answers soon. https://youtu.be/mvYwYEtbFkI

A set of writing resources that can be completed at home, focusing on persuasive writing. Free resource of choice to anyone who likes and subscribes to my Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-JQchhF9CJakm2Al271olw?view_as=subscriber

A quick listening test activity for anyone on a course that requires speaking and listening. Aimed at functional skills and ESOL learners.

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.

A video lesson and resources for students wanting to develop their grammar.

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.

A six page workbook that looks at the six main structural techniques (Narrative voice, flashback, perspective shift, cliffhangers, change of focus and paragraphing) used in the AQA GCSE English language exam. A technique is discussed, students are shown an example and asked to write their own (Q5 practice) and then analyse it (Q3 practice)

A powerpoint and sample resource of how to write a formal letter, with a video I made for home learning.

A sample answer I wrote for a guide on how to write reports aimed mainly at Functional Skills students.

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.

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.

I made a question 4 paper 2 resource on two very different viewpoints on MMA. The texts are small with a lot of different techniques to write about. There is also a tick box of all the necessary things that I believe you must have in a question 5 answer. We are always told ‘quality over quantity’ so I produced five things that students can mark themselves against as they write. Either use it as self assessment or as a planning tool. There is also a sheet on identifying the specific effect of language techniques. All three took my class over an hour to complete I have used it for revision or last minuet practice before exams. Photo by Davide Cantelli on Unsplash

Editable Exam question practice with Mark Scheme A paper 1 exam with a very small text for students who don’t like to read lengthy texts - I’ve used this when my students motivation is low, it has tips on how to answer the questions and writing frames for students to follow the aim of this is simply to make students practice how to answer these questions properly and include everything they need to, to get over a level 5 or below. I also re-wrote the AQA Paper 1 Mark Scheme in as simple language as I could - in the hope that students would be able to help themselves by using the writing frames and then hopefully get an idea of what grade they would achieve. The techniques in the source are relatively easy to spot and have both language and structural techniques. This is aimed at students who already have the skills and want something straight forward to practice with.

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

The first page goes through the terms of narrative structure. Task 1: Looking at the narrative structure students explain which should be the most exciting part. Task 2: look at a basic plot and see if they can show where it occurs in terms of narrative structure. Investigating and using Suspense techniques. Task 3: students do a basic plan using the narrative structure model (sample answer shown first) this is aimed at encouraging the use of flashback. Task 4: students write a couple of paragraphs of their story, experimenting with structure and there is a peer/self marking table for the students to complete. Photo by Sara Aho on Unsplash

A resource called: To what extent? Task 1 - students to think of statements that have some value for debates and they have to explain to what extent they agree with it. Task 2: Students have to provide a counter argument for the first task (to show that complex ideas have more than one side of them (question 5 paper 2) Task 3: Students identify structural and language techniques in a text and then are shown where the techniques are on the next page. Task 4: Sort the techniques into a table of for or against the statement. Task: 5 Students write a PEACE paragraph using a writing frame that is provided. Self evaluation is included in the form of a tick box and students are encouraged to write a target based on this or the lesson objectives that can be ticked off from the first page of the worksheet. Please review and let me know what you think and I will make improvements if required, thanks

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.