Hi! I’m an FE tutor with years of experience teaching Functional Skills maths, English and Employability Skills. I know how tricky it can be to find great resources for FE learners, so I’ve started creating my own to help other tutors like me. My resources are practical, engaging, and designed to make your teaching life a little easier!
Feel free to check out my resources on Tes, Pinterest and Insta @theteachernest – I’d love for you to have a look!
Hi! I’m an FE tutor with years of experience teaching Functional Skills maths, English and Employability Skills. I know how tricky it can be to find great resources for FE learners, so I’ve started creating my own to help other tutors like me. My resources are practical, engaging, and designed to make your teaching life a little easier!
Feel free to check out my resources on Tes, Pinterest and Insta @theteachernest – I’d love for you to have a look!
Engage your learners with this high-interest Functional Skills English lesson exploring the world of space travel and celebrity astronauts. Designed for Entry Level 3 to Level 2, this resource builds reading and comprehension skills through accessible non-fiction texts. Learners will practise identifying facts and opinions, use skimming and scanning strategies, and engage with bullet point summaries in real-world contexts
This fully resourced, engaging lesson teaches learners how to identify and apply a wide range of persuasive language techniques through the lens of writing and analysing reviews. It is ideal for Functional Skills English learners at Level 1 and Level 2, and also suitable for KS3/GCSE support.
What’s Included:
• Starter activity analysing a film review for key information
• Clear learning outcomes: Identify, Explain, Apply, and Evaluate language techniques
• Modelled examples of reviews using rich figurative language
• Interactive tasks: identifying techniques, improving basic sentences, and applying language devices in context
• Scaffolded writing tasks: from product reviews to imaginative survival and holiday scenarios
• Fun group task: create a holiday advert using persuasive techniques
• Review checklist and reflection questions to consolidate understanding
This comprehensive lesson delves into the controversial topic of orca treatment at SeaWorld, encouraging students to critically assess facts and opinions. Aimed at Functional Skills learners (EL3-L2), the lesson includes reading comprehension activities, video resources, and a quiz to reinforce learning. Students will develop the skills to identify and distinguish between fact and opinion, analyze diverse perspectives, and write a balanced article on the ethics surrounding animal captivity. Perfect for students aged 16-19, this lesson encourages thoughtful reflection and supports the development of key writing and comprehension skills.
Overview:
Looking for a hands-on, exciting group activity that builds teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills? The Toxic Waste Team Challenge is the perfect solution! This versatile resource can be used in PSHE, tutor time, STEM lessons, or as an icebreaker/team-building task across all age groups (Entry Level- Level 2).
In this challenge, students must work together to safely transport a “toxic waste” container (ping pong ball) using only a suspended “transporter” device made from string and small container. The task comes with strict rules that require careful planning, teamwork, and precision — ideal for developing soft skills and encouraging creative thinking.
What’s Included:
Student-friendly task brief (simplified and visual versions)
Reflection questions for debrief and skill-building
Learning Outcomes:
Teamwork: Every member must contribute equally by holding a piece of string connected to the transporter.
Communication: Success depends on clear and coordinated communication.
Problem Solving: Students must strategise how to move the “waste” without touching restricted areas or moving feet.
Critical Thinking: Encourages decision-making under pressure with physical and mental challenges.
The Challenge Rules (Simplified for Students):
Perfect For:
Only touch the ping pong ball to load it into the transporter.
Once loaded, no one can touch the ball or transporter again.
The transporter must not touch the floor at any time.
No one may step into the marked “danger zone”.
Every team member must hold a string connected to the transporter.
After loading, no one can move their feet.
Perfect For:
Tutor time team-building
STEM enrichment days
End-of-term activities
Leadership and communication workshops
Fun class challenges with educational value
Bonus Tip: Great for both indoor and outdoor use, this activity adapts well to limited resources. It sparks discussion, laughter, and memorable learning moments.