LETTERS TO A NEWSPAPER OR A HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

"You are about to tur 16 and strongly believe you should be allowed to drive, even though it is not legal in your country. Write a letter to a newspaper editor putting forward your case"

This is a kind of task in which you want to express your opinion about a topic of interes and show your views, discuss different aspects and try to put forward your suggestions. 

These kind of letters follow a clear structure answering a previous article you have recently read about the matter. Since your real aim is to make the audience agree with your views, it is your duty to express clearly problems and consecuences produced. Language should be formal and arguments presented in a clear way. Remember, you want the reader to read to the end and be open to receive your views so... try to sound convincing presenting data in a respectful way.




And click on the following icon to find some MODEL in order to create your own writing tasks

A BOOK REVIEW

Reading is a wonderful activity and we might be required to write about one of your favourites as a writing task.

Find some guidelines to improve your skill and remember, PRACTICE MAKES IT BETTER!! 

 
Example of book review by BBC Learning English 

 
Source by British Council Learning English Teens
 

A LETTER OF COMPLAINT

"You recently bought a calculator, but you wer given the wrong model by mistake. When you complained, the shop assitant was rude to you"

Formal letters are usually written either:
- to apply for a job
- to ask for information
- to make a complaint

They are normally sent to people in an official position or people you don't know well (Director of Studies, Personnel Manager...) therefore, they are written in a formal style with a polite, impersonal tone.

A formal letter should consist of:
- a formal greeting (Dear Sir/Madam, when you don't know the person's name; Dear Ms Green, when you know the person's name).
- an introduction in which you write your opening remarks and mention your reason for writing (I'm writing to apply for the position of ...)
- a main body in which you write about the main subjects of the letter in detail, starting a new paragraph for each topic.
- a conclusion in which you write your closing remaks (I look forward to hearing from ñyou as soon as possible...)
- a formal ending (Yours faithfully, when you don't know the person's name, Yours sincerely, when you know the person's name ; + your full name).

Find some guidelines for structure, style and models in the icons below.Remember, PRACTICE MAKES IT BETTER!!
 
 
 

WRITING A SUMMARY

Can you write a SUMMARY? Are the any techniques you can use in order to make it better and  brighter? Which is the best STYLE to be used in order to write a summary?


Click on the icon below and find out some recommendations.

Remember, only PRACTICE makes it BETTER!!

NESSIE AND THE LOCH NESS

Have you ever been to Scotland? Its a magic land famous for its castles 
and lochs, kilts, tartans and bagpipes, not to mention the mighty warriors in the highlands and Robert the Bruce who gained independence for Scotland in the 14th century. However, there is still one thing this proud nation is known all over the world and that is NESSIE. 

See the video below and find out about it!!

(source: British Council Learning English)
 
To go further into comprehension, click on the doc below and work at your pace!!
 

REPORTED SPEECH

 Source BBC Learning English

 This is an introductory video to revise some aspects of REPORTED SPEECH. As you can imagine it is commonly used not only in GRAMMAR EXERCISES but anytime you SPEAK ENGLISH so you'd better start practising,

 the sooner the better!!

Click on the different icons according to your level and particular needs and remember PRACTICE MAKES IT BETTER!!
 
4th ESO and BTO 1

DESCRIPTIVE vs INFORMATIVE ESSAYS

" Glancing towards the west, I say a terrifying sight. A vast boiling cloud was mounting the sky, black and sulphurous yellow at the heart, varying shades of ochre red at the edges..."


"My alarm is set for 7.30, but sometimes I ignore it and firft back to sleep until 8, when my cat, Carlo, gets impatient for his breakfast and jumps on me. My breakfast consists of fuit juice, cereal and vitamin pills. I can walk to the rehearsal rooms but if it is raining I jump on a passing bus..."


Above you can find 2 examples of CONTINUOUS WRITING TASKS: one is a descriptive imaginative piece whereas the second one is an example of a personal informative account.

Sure enough you can easily notice stylistic differences, anyway CLICK on the icon below to find out some guidelines so that you can improve in your written productions and make the most of you tasks.
 

CLICK on the next icons to find tasks examples for you help.
 



 

WRITING SKILL: RESPONSE WRITING (A LETTER)

RESPONSE WRITING tasks are those which ask you to use material in a text in a specified way. You will be give instructions to write tasks such as: letters, news reports, articles...

This time is a LETTER. You must always pay attention to

- content
- audience
- purpose

and also to the structure and style required by the task. The information should be used in a specific way, tailored to the purpose and audience given. Making things up is to be avoided however, it is acceptable o infer some further information from the text provided.

Find an example of a letter written to a school director to advocate for the use of uniforms and reflect on the structure and stylistic devices used.

Remember, read write and re-write is the key to improve your essays!!

WRITING SKILL: NEWS REPORTS

Source Literacy Committee

Here is another writing task you are often required in your Literacy course. Writing is not always easy but here are some guidelines for you to read and improve your writing skills. 

Remember, read, write and rewrite and your essays will sure become much better.

 

GRAMMAR SKILL

This time is some further practice with prepositions.

Some nouns require certain prepositions before or after them. There are no rules for which preposition goes with which noun, so you must learn them as phrases

- noun + preposition: an interest in / a reputation for

- preposition + noun: at random / for fun / in pain...

Click on the icon and practice individually

THE MOONSTONE by WILKIE COLLINS

The Moonstone, a mystery novel written by Wilkie Collins, is one of the best mystery novels I have read so far. Collins did an amazing job of creating tension and suspense, and at the same time, keeping its originality.

In the beginning of this classic novel, the Moonstone, a large, yellow diamond said to have mysterious lunar influences, is stolen from the head of an idol in the Palace of Seringapatam. John Herncastle, a dishonorable man and the one who stole the Moonstone, has left it to Rachel Verinder, daughter of Lady Verinder (born Julia Herncastle), as a gesture of malignity since the diamond is said to be cursed.
The story then shifts the mid-1800’s on the day of Rachel’s eighteenth birthday. The Moonstone is delivered to Rachel by Franklin Blake, Lady Verinder’s nephew. During her dinner, Godfrey Ablewhite, a philanthropist and Rachel’s cousin, arrives to the estate and proposes marriage to her. Clearly in love with Blake, she turns Ablewhite down and continues with the dinner. When the dinner was over, Rachel goes to sleep; she leaves the Moonstone in her sitting room.
The next morning, the Moonstone is missing and every person at the dinner last night was named a suspect, but the main suspects were Blake, Ablewhite, and three mysterious Brahmins who were lurking around the estate. The investigation was calm and organized, that is, until Ablewhite is found dead.

The Moonstone is one of the longest and most suspenseful mystery novels I have read. I like the way Collins puts twists and turns in the plot so the true suspect is never actually revealed until the end of the story. If you like mystery novels you can't miss it.

FUTURE TENSES REVIEW

Talking about the FUTURE, expressing FUTURE PLANS and MAKING PREDICTIONS are common topics of conversation in English.

- Are you doing anything interesting this evening?
- What time will we be landing?
- When is the next train to Edinburgh?
- Are you going to ask for a new mobile at your birth day?

Here you have an ICON to review Future structures and another ICON to practice further. Make the most of this entry

READING SKILL: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY:
                                                     

Do you want to learn more about this thrilling story?


This is the story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. It is a tale of moral desintegration where many critics have seen autobiographical features. 

Oscar Wilde, the writer, once said...
- Basil is what I think I am
- Lord Henry, what the world thinks of me
- Dorian, what I would like to be...

read this fascinating tale and find out for yourself who Oscar Wilde is in fact.

 Click on the icon and see an interesting summary of the tale.


 Now click on the doc below to do some activities after reading the novel. Submit them observing deadline on January 6th the latest.

WRITING LETTERS

One of the most usual writing tasks required in exams might be writing letters and mails with different purposes. 

You will always be given instructions and a clear context to know how to approach the writing because it will be different:

- a thanking letter to a friend for their invitation
- a letter requiring information about a summer camp
- a letter asking for advice about travel requirements abroad
- an informal letter announcing some good news to your distant family

Click on the icons below to find out some writing guidelines and examples specific to the LETTER FORMAT.



 

GUIDELINES FOR DESCRIBING PICTURES

DO

Look carefully at the photo. Think carefully how to start. In some exams you are given some time to think about what you are going to say. Use that time! 

Scan the picture and identify the topic. It is better to start with a general statement. 
For example, They are clearly both connected to the topic of science… but in two quite different contexts. Use present continuous to describe what is happening.

Remember the pictures are just an excuse to talk about the topic, so don't give a very detailed description. Select the relevant details Sometimes there is a question or a statement to help you identify the topic. Sometimes, you can find a word-cloud with some ideas (ex nightlife, pollution, facilitites) to help you talk.

When comparing the pictures, talk about the similarities and differences between them.  
For example: Both pictures show… but this one…, whereas the other one…

Use a wide range of vocabulary. Remember this is a picture so you cannot be 100% sure what is happening. Use appropriate language to show you are guessing.

Speculate about the pictures. You are not asked simply to describe what is happening.  
For example: He is likely to / she’ll probably find it quite tough

Give your opinion, using a variety of structures. If the photographs surprise you, show surprise -your voice should reflect your feelings and attitude. Don't forget to develop your ideas. Don't forget to use Linking Words to connect your ideas.

Use all the time you're given. If you're given three minutes, you'll need to talk the three minutes. Practise!

DON'T

Don't use the present simple to describe what is happening

Don't give ennumerations

Don't use "I think…" all the time.

Don't give complicated explanations if you are not sure.

Don't stop talking until the examiner indicates the exam has finished

Don't worry if you don't understand immediately what is going on in the picture. 
Remember you are allowed some time to organise your ideas. Use it!

Don't worry if you don't know the precise word for what you can see; paraphrase Don't talk about something that is not relevant to the pictures

SPECULATING

I think / I guess/ I suppose it is... I expect/ I imagine it is... It/he must be.... It /he can't be I am not sure but, they could be.. It's not very clear but, probably... I can't make it out but, perhaps Maybe, perhaps they are...

They seem to be  eating something It can/could/might (not) be .... Probably/Perhaps

* It is used to write....

* It is something you do when...

* It's a person who...

* It' something which

* It's a kind of/some kind of..

* It's a sort of/some sort of ...

* It's like a ...

CONTRAST USING

In both pictures... Both pictures depict .. In this one .. and in the other one...

Both of the photos show..

Neither of them .... Similar to... The same as Like... In the same way....

Whereas While On the one hand... on the other hand

Instead of Unlike.....

ILLUSTRATE USING

For example... For instance... such as...

COMPARE

The main difference between the photos is... In the first picture...whereas the other picture... Unlike.... this looks like... In contrast...

GIVE OPINION

• As far as I know… • Speaking for myself… • In my opinion… • Personally, I think… • I'd say that… • In my experience… • I'd like to point out that… • I believe that… • What I mean is… • My personal view is that • I might be wrong but … • It seems to me that..

I think I'd prefer... as... If I had to choose I would... It's very hard to say but ....

THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN

It's time to work on your compulsory reading for this term. Huckleberry Finn was written by an american author in the 19th century, Mark  Twain. Have you ever heard about him?

Click on the photograph to find out more...




Here is a map to guide you in the adventure of Huck and Jim. Click on the map and you will be guided to the activities while reading. 



Finally, this book will not only bring you lots of fun and adventures but also some history. click on the icon and find out about a piece of American history.



Source Scholastic Activities on the web

GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

As you know, we are going to read about the adventures of Gulliver in the exotic lands of 
the small creatures, the giants, a flying island full of scientists and the country of the smart 
horses.


The book was written by Jonathan Swift, an Irish writer who was first a politician and then a 
minister of the Church. He lived in the 18th century and, together with other writers, 
produced many of the popular TRAVEL BOOKS at the time. Do you know Robinson 
Crusoe? It is another book of adventures written in 1719 full of sea vogages and 
discoveries. Why do you think this kind of literature was so popular at the time? Do you 
think people in England travelled much in the early 18th century? Where to? What kind of 
vogages?





After reading, do the following exercises and points of reflection.





ENJOY THE ADVENTURE OF READING!!

We use Present Perfect to:

 - talk about an action whose effect is noticed now, often with "already, just, yet".

 - talk about how long has something been going on, often with "for, since"

 - a life experience you have or haven't had, often with "ever, never, before"



Watch the video to get familiar with the use of  Present Perfect





Then click on the link below to do some grammar work

Source: British Council Learning English