Overview

A week-long (5 lessons) plan focusing on practical English skills for Functional Skills Entry Level 1 learners aged 14 with low-level English abilities. The theme is computer games to engage students and build functional literacy connected to real-life situations. Each 60-minute lesson develops reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills per the England National Curriculum for Functional Skills Entry Level 1 in English.

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Curriculum Reference

• Functional Skills English Entry Level 1 (England National Curriculum)
  • Reading: Understand simple phrases and words in everyday contexts
  • Writing: Write simple phrases or sentences relevant to everyday needs
  • Speaking, Listening & Communication: Use simple sentences to communicate; listen and respond appropriately
  • Real-life context: Use familiar and functional vocabulary linked to tangible tasks and situations

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Lesson 1: Game Instructions Intro

Learning Objectives

• Identify and understand basic vocabulary related to computer games (e.g., play, start, stop, choose, score)
• Follow simple written instructions
• Develop confidence in reading aloud and basic comprehension

Success Criteria

• Recognise and read key game-related words
• Understand and follow 3-4 simple game instructions from a text

Resources

• Printed simple game instructions
• Flashcards with game verbs and nouns
• Whiteboard and markers

Activities

1. Warm-up (10 mins): Group discussion: "Do you play computer games?"
   • Teacher writes key vocabulary on board (start, play, stop, score, level)
2. Vocabulary Introduction (10 mins):
   • Show flashcards one by one, say word aloud, students repeat in chorus and individually
3. Reading Task (15 mins):
   • Students read aloud simple printed instructions for a made-up game (e.g., "Press start", "Choose your character", "Score points by collecting coins")
   • Teacher supports pronunciation and prompts comprehension questions (e.g., "What do you press to begin?")
4. Pair Work (15 mins):
   • In pairs, students take turns to read instructions aloud to each other and demonstrate physically (e.g., pretending to press start on imaginary console)
5. Wrap Up (10 mins):
   • Quick quiz: Teacher says a word, students show flashcard or mime action
   • Recap and praise

Assessment

• Teacher observes reading aloud and comprehension responses
• Informal feedback recorded on student progress checklist

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Lesson 2: Writing Game Rules

Learning Objectives

• Write simple sentences using game vocabulary
• Sequence short instructions logically
• Use basic punctuation (full stops)

Success Criteria

• Write 3-4 simple sentences describing game rules clearly
• Spell key words correctly with support

Resources

• Sentence strips with key words
• Writing frames (simple templates)
• Word banks on posters

Activities

1. Recap and Warm-up (10 mins):
   • Students read aloud last lesson’s vocabulary flashcards
2. Model Writing (10 mins):
   • Teacher writes 3 simple game rules on the board, e.g., "Press start to play."
   • Focus on sentence structure and punctuation
3. Guided Writing (20 mins):
   • Using sentence strips and word banks, students write their own 3-4 sentences explaining how to play a simple game (could be a board game or computer game)
   • Teacher circulates, offering spelling and sentence structure support
4. Peer Sharing (10 mins):
   • In pairs, students read each other’s sentences aloud for fluency and confidence
5. Plenary (10 mins):
   • Group reads a few examples aloud; teacher highlights good use of vocabulary and punctuation

Assessment

• Completed writing frames collected and assessed for sentence correctness and vocabulary usage

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Lesson 3: Talking About Favourite Games

Learning Objectives

• Use basic spoken phrases to describe favourite computer games
• Practice question-and-answer dialogue using functional vocabulary
• Build confidence in speaking and listening in pairs and small groups

Success Criteria

• Give simple spoken answers about game preferences (e.g., "My favourite game is...")
• Ask and respond to simple questions (e.g., "Do you like...?")

Resources

• Question prompt cards
• Picture flashcards of popular age-appropriate computer games
• Audio recordings of sample dialogues

Activities

1. Warm-up (10 mins):
   • Listening activity: Teacher reads aloud simple dialogues about favourite games; students listen and answer yes/no or simple comprehension questions
2. Vocabulary Recap (5 mins):
   • Revise words like "like," "play," "fun," "boring," "challenge"
3. Speaking Practice (25 mins):
   • Using picture flashcards, students form pairs and ask each other about favourite games with question prompts ("Do you like…?", "What game do you play?")
   • Teacher models and encourages natural turns
4. Group Discussion (10 mins):
   • Small groups share and discuss which games are popular and why in simple phrases
5. Feedback and Praise (10 mins):
   • Positive reinforcement
   • Quick recap on phrases learned

Assessment

• Teacher records observations on students’ ability to ask and answer questions
• Oral fluency monitored

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Lesson 4: Reading Game Reviews

Learning Objectives

• Understand simple written game reviews and identify main points
• Recognise functional vocabulary describing opinions (good, bad, fun, boring)
• Improve reading comprehension skills using real-life examples

Success Criteria

• Read and comprehend a short game review of 4-5 sentences
• Highlight or underline opinion words correctly

Resources

• Printed short game reviews (simplified language)
• Highlighters
• Vocabulary cards featuring adjectives and opinion words

Activities

1. Warm-up (10 mins):
   • Quick review of opinion adjectives
   • Teacher elicits possible words for positive and negative feedback
2. Reading Task (20 mins):
   • Students read short game reviews individually or in pairs
   • Highlight words showing opinion ("fun", "boring")
3. Comprehension Questions (15 mins):
   • Oral and written questions: “Is this game good or bad? Why?”
   • Students answer with support using learnt vocabulary
4. Group Share (10 mins):
   • Groups discuss which game review they liked best, using opinion words
5. Wrap Up (5 mins):
   • Teacher recaps use of opinion words and positive/negative phrases

Assessment

• Students' highlighted work checked for correct identification of opinion words
• Responses to comprehension questions noted

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Lesson 5: Writing a Simple Game Review

Learning Objectives

• Write a short functional review of a computer game using basic structure
• Use opinion vocabulary and simple sentence construction
• Express personal preferences in writing

Success Criteria

• Write a 3-5 sentence review including opinions and simple reasons
• Use appropriate vocabulary with some spelling accuracy

Resources

• Review writing frame (Who, What, Opinion, Why)
• Word banks and example sentences
• Classroom computers/tablets or paper for writing

Activities

1. Recap and Warm-up (10 mins):
   • Review vocabulary from yesterday’s lesson
   • Talk briefly about favourite games again to spark ideas
2. Model Writing (10 mins):
   • Teacher writes example review on board:
     “I like Minecraft. It is fun and creative. I build houses. It is my favourite game.”
3. Guided Writing (25 mins):
   • Students complete writing frame and write their own simple review of a game they know
   • Teacher supports spelling and sentence formation
4. Peer Review (10 mins):
   • Students read their reviews aloud in pairs and give simple positive feedback using “I like…” or “I think…”
5. Plenary (5 mins):
   • Select 2-3 volunteers to share reviews with the class
   • Teacher praises effort and improvement

Assessment

• Collect written reviews to assess sentence structure, vocabulary use, and coherence
• Spoken feedback during peer review to monitor confidence in communication

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Additional Notes for Teachers

• Modify vocabulary complexity depending on student progress
• Use visual supports extensively to aid comprehension
• Encourage all students to participate through low-pressure, scaffolded activities
• Integrate technology if available (simple interactive games, reading apps) to enhance engagement
• Celebrate small achievements to build learner confidence throughout the week

This functional themed approach using computer games combines practical literacy skills with motivating content, fully aligned with the Functional Skills Entry Level 1 curriculum in England.