Teaching ESOL using Wakefield Council services
Resources to familiarise learners with Council websites and services
This resource pack can be used in conjunction with the Wakefield Council website. You can adapt or extend any of the activities to suit your learner’s needs. This gives learners an understanding of services available through Wakefield Council, and encourages them to engage with the website.
These activities can be done on computers/ tablets or phones: go to Wakefield.gov.uk. If there is no access to technology in class, a paper version can be used instead, these resources are printable.
Wakefield Reading Resources
Elements covered: Reading, Digital, Writing, Listening & Speaking skills
Levels: All
Wakefield Reading Resources
TIP: text a link to learners smartphone if they have them.
Look at the Council introduction page (slide 3). Can you answer the questions below?
TIP: text a link to learners smartphone if they have them.
Wakefield Listening Resources
Look at these services (slide 8). Can you find words with the meanings below?
Dumping old things that you don’t want in a public place, like a park or car park, or by the side of the road.
Money to help you do something important
Asking the public for their opinion
Unpaid jobs where you can learn and get a qualification while you are working.
Ask for…..
get a qualification while you are working. �
Wakefield Reading Resources
TIP: encourage learners to keep a list of their own keywords.
Look at these services (slide 8). Can you find words with the meanings below?
Wakefield Council Services
I want to find a college course for my mum?
I’m looking for a new job?
I’m worried about a stray dog in my area?
There has been a car parked outside my house for weeks and it doesn’t belong to any of my neighbours?
Nobody collected my bin!
What do I click on to get more information if……. (refer to slide 8)
TIP: ask learners which emotion each bubble shows
I want to know when my children’s school breaks up for half term?
I want to find out what’s happening in my area?
I need help finding somewhere to live?
I’m worried because there is a lot of rubbish in my neighbour’s garden and it’s starting to smell and attract rats.
I’m renting a house and my landlord wants to put my rent up?
What do I click on to get more information if……. (refer to slide 8)
TIP: ask learners which emotion each bubble shows
TIP: running dictation
This is a team game, so requires at least 4 students.
Put the questions (slides 9 & 10) up on the wall.
One member of the team goes and reads a question, then comes back to the team and asks it. The team then looks for the correct service. When they’ve found it and circled it, the next member of the team goes to read the next question. The first team to get the answers to all the questions wins.
Wakefield Reading Resources
Split reading: Give out one of the following situations (slide 14) to each learner. Ask them to look at the list of services (slide 12) and decide which one to click on for their situation. Once they have chosen the correct one, give them the corresponding information sheet (slides 14-19) for them to read and get an answer to their question.
Alternatively, for a higher level, put all the texts up on the wall/ smart board/ tablets and ask students to find the information they need by walking around and looking for it, then share what they found out in pairs/ small groups.
Wakefield Reading Resources
Situation 1: My daughter absolutely loves gymnastics! She wants to take classes, but her school doesn’t do it. Who can I contact about gymnastics classes in Wakefield?
Wakefield Reading Resources
Situation 2: Please help! I know that I can claim benefits as I’m looking for a job but I haven’t got one yet. How can I find out which benefits I can claim?
Situation 3: My son is 11 and will finish primary school this year. His school told me that I need to apply for a place at Secondary School for him. Where do I start?
Situation 4: I’ve got a job interview next week and I’m really nervous. I’m going to drive there, but I’m not sure where to park. How can I find out about car parks nearby?
Situation 5: Everything is so expensive at the moment! I’m working but my wage is low and my bills for heating and rent are so high. I’m really worried about costs going up even more. Where can I get some advice?
Learners find keywords from the text and underline them, then listen to the pronunciation and copy.
Wakefield Listening Resources
Ideas for using the texts and keywords list with low levels:
Learners listen and choose the correct card each time they hear a word. This can also be done with images - learners listen and choose the correct image that matches it. (Resource slide 21)
Put the keywords up around the room. Learners stand up and listen to the recording - play one recording at a time, and learners go and stand by the word they think they heard.
Keywords:
Listen and Match:
With movement:
Wakefield Reading Resources
Fly-tipping
Housing
Education
Waste
Farmers Market
Stadium
Notification
Gymnastics
Finances
Refund
School places
Leisure
Culture
Wakefield Listening Resources
Ideas for using available information with level E2+ (digital or paper versions):
When you click on the situations on slide 24, you will hear a recording of each situation.
You can do various listening and speaking activities with these recordings. Some suggestions are on the right.
Comprehension questions
Asking for and giving advice
Gap fill: learners listen for key words and fill them in on a gapped text. (slide 24)
Wakefield Listening Resources
Click the audio button for a list keyword sounds:
Education
Fly-tipping
Housing
Waste services
Farmers Market
Stadium
Notification
Gymnastics
Finances
Refund
School places
Leisure
Culture
Childcare
Situation 1: My daughter absolutely loves 1_________! She wants to take classes, but her school doesn’t do it. Who can I 2________ about gymnastics classes in Wakefield?
Wakefield Listening Resources
Situation 2: Please help! I know that I can claim 3_______ as I’m looking for a job but I haven’t got one yet. How can I find out which benefits I can 4________?
Situation 3: My son is 11 and will finish 5________ school this year. His school told me that I need to 6______ for a place at Secondary School for him. Where do I start?
Situation 4: I’ve got a job 7__________ next week and I’m really nervous. I’m going to 8_______ there, but I’m not sure where to park. How can I find out about 9__________ nearby?
Situation 5: Everything is so expensive at the moment! I’m working but my 10_______ is low and my 11_______ for heating and rent are so high. I’m really worried about _12_____ going up even more. Where can I get some 13______?
Fill in the missing words (digital or paper versions):
Wakefield Writing & Reading Resource
Across
3. School and learning
4. The date when you have to do something
5. School aged for 4 - 11 years
6. School aged for 11 - 16 years
9. Personal care, support or protection for children or adults with needs arising from illness, disability, old age or poverty
10. Money available to pay bills or rent
Down
1. Behaviour, knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits
2. Bin collection/Recycling
7. Accommodation, flats or houses, somewhere to live.
8. Time when you are not working. Free time
Crossword: Picture clues
Across
3
4
5
School age 4 - 11
School age 11 - 16
6
9
10
Crossword: Picture clues
Down
1
2
7
8