Level 1 Reading and Writing

Course Title: ESOL Level 1 Reading and Writing

Hours per week: 5

Brief course description:

This is a 17-week, ESOL Level 1 Reading and Writing exam course.

Want to improve your writing to apply for jobs, write reports or continue your studies?

Join our course where you will develop key skills for both your personal and professional life. You’ll learn to read and understand various texts, from everyday instructions like recipes to more complex documents such as work emails and news articles. The course will help you recognise main ideas and important details in different types of texts. You’ll also practise interpreting punctuation and sentence structure to understand and communicate information clearly. Additionally, you’ll learn how to use appropriate language for different situations, whether it's writing a formal job application or an informal text message. Sharpen your grammar skills by revising past, present, and future tenses, whilst developing conditionals, passive voice, and other advanced structures. You'll also practice building complex sentences and expanding your vocabulary.

By the end of the course, you will be able to read and comprehend a range of texts relevant to daily life and work. You’ll be skilled in summarising information from meeting notes, understanding product descriptions, and writing clearly organised documents. You’ll know how to adjust your language and writing style for various audiences and purposes, whether you’re drafting a formal report or a friendly email. You’ll also use visual aids and structured formats to enhance your writing and make it more effective and accessible.

Objectives:

Identify Main Points in Instructions: Read and understand simple instructions for tasks such as following a recipe or setting up a new appliance. You’ll recognise key verbs and sequence markers like "first," "then," and "finally," to pinpoint the main actions and complete the tasks accurately.
Understand Implied and Explicit Meaning: Read short texts like office notes or news articles to understand both what is clearly stated and what is suggested indirectly. You’ll use clues from the context and the way words are arranged to figure out direct messages as well as hints or warnings.
Follow and Summarise Sequential Texts: Read chronological texts, such as event timelines or step-by-step guides, and summarise the main events. You’ll use sentence structure and sequence markers to clearly describe the order of events and the key points.
Use Appropriate Language for Different Texts: Write both formal texts, like job applications, and informal texts, like personal emails. You’ll adjust your language by using formal vocabulary and structures for professional contexts and informal language for personal communication.
Present Information in a Structured Way: Write documents such as reports or instructions, organising information into sections with an introduction, main body, and conclusion. You’ll use paragraphs, bullet points, and headings to present information in a logical and coherent manner.
Make Comparisons in Descriptive Texts: Compare different products or services in reviews, explaining which one is better and why. You’ll use comparative and superlative adjectives, such as "better," "worse," "best," and "worst," to highlight differences and express preferences.
Plan and Write Detailed Documents: Create detailed documents like project plans or complaint letters. You’ll use tools like bullet points or mind maps to plan your writing and apply a range of tenses and grammatical structures to present a clear, detailed argument.
Use Punctuation and Grammar Correctly: Complete forms and write texts using correct punctuation, including full stops, commas, and apostrophes. You’ll apply rules for punctuation in lists, direct speech, and possessives to enhance the clarity and readability of your writing.
Respond to Forms and Instructions Accurately: Complete forms and follow instructions for tasks like applying for a service or providing personal details. You’ll use imperative verbs and correct sentence structures to ensure accurate understanding and responses.

Entry requirements:

This is a Level 1 ESOL class so your English will be at intermediate to more advanced level. You already have a good range of vocabulary and can talk and write about everyday topics as well as your own areas of special interest. You can use a range of tenses and language structures fairly accurately, but need to practice these more, focusing on more complex structures to better express yourself in extended pieces of writing.

Equipment required:

Please bring:

A folder

Pens & pencils

Lined A4 paper

A smartphone (if you have one)

A reusable water bottle

We will give you the WIFI details in the first lesson.

If you do not have a smart phone or a computer, speak to your tutor.

You will also need a personal Gmail account to access the Google classroom, which will be used for submitting coursework and accessing course materials. If you do not have a Gmail account speak to your tutor.

What courses can I go on to:

There are other courses you can do after or at the same time as this course:

ESOL Level 2 Speaking & Listening Exam Class

ESOL Level 2 Reading & Writing Exam Class

Introduction to Functional Skills English Level 1/2

Functional Skills English Level 1/2

Functional Skills Maths Level 1/2

Becoming Confident in Digital Skills

Digital Skills Entry 3/Level 1

Digital Skills for creating: How to organise a community event

Digital Skills in the workplace: Promoting and Selling your product or business online

Digital Skills in the workplace: Using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Please ask your teacher for more information or contact ESOLAdvice@towerhamlets.gov.uk

What examination is there:

You will undertake the Ascentis Level 1 Reading and Writing exams in your classroom with your teacher.

Reading Exam:

In the reading exam you will identify key text features and answer comprehension questions.

Writing Exam:

In the writing exam you will undertake three tasks which include completing a form and writing an informal and formal text.

The exam is an important part of your course, so you MUST come to all your classes. 

How will I know I am making progress:

At the start of the course, your tutor will talk with you about which parts of your English you need to practise most and help you create an individual learning plan. Throughout the course, you will have a tutorial meeting to discuss your strengths, areas for improvement, and any problems you may have. You will keep a folder with your work, which will help you review your learning outside of class. Your tutor will give you regular feedback on your class work and homework to help you improve. To make progress, you need to attend all your classes and do work outside of class.

You will lose your place if your attendance is less than 80%.

Other info:

One of our aims is to help you make progress in work or future studies. We also want to help you participate in your communities and become an active citizen. In our Entry 2 classes, you will develop important skills that employers value and that will help you in everyday life. Here’s what you will learn:

Communication Skills: You will learn to speak and write more clearly and confidently. This includes practising conversations for work, writing emails, and filling out forms.

Decision-Making: You will learn how to make good choices by evaluating different options and thinking critically about situations.

Teamwork: You will learn how to work well with others.

Problem-Solving: You will develop the ability to identify problems and find effective solutions, useful in both work and daily life.

Time Management: You will practice managing your time effectively, including setting goals and meeting deadlines.

By improving these skills, you will increase your chances of finding a job, advancing in your career, and becoming an active member of your community.

Extra support

We can help you if you tell us you have a learning difficulty, disability or other support needs. Please tell us when you enrol or in your first class.