ESOL PATHFINDER PROJECT

Work Place Learning

At the Muslim Enterprise Development Services

Materials produced by Liverpool Community College

Written by Caroline Helal

Introduction These materials were produced to support a short course for the Muslim Enterprise Development Services. The learners were either self-employed

business men who successfully ran their own businesses or were trying to set up their own businesses and wanted to improve their English. Common needs

including recognising and using formal and informal language and writing letters were identified. It was run in a workshop style because of haphazard

attendance due to demands of businesses and mixed language levels.

Summary of curriculum coverage Sc/E3.2c Sc/E3.3b Sd/E3.1d Rt/E3.2a Use formal language and register when appropriate Ask questions to obtain person or factual information Express views and opinions Understand and distinguish the different purposes of texts at this level Scan different parts of texts to locate information Recognise the process of planning and drafting when writing certain types of text Proof-read to check for content and expression Use basic sentence grammar accurately Use punctuation to aid clarity in relation to beginnings and ends of sentences

Rt/E3.7a Wt/E3.1a

Wt/E3.4a Ws/E3.2a Ws/E3.3a

WORK PLACE LEARNING AT MUSLIM ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

LIST OF CONTENTS

Formal and formal occasions Formal introductions Greetings and requests Analysis of a letter to a bank When to use formal English Example letters Identification of formal and informal phrases Exercises - converting informal to formal Layout of letters Practise in laying out formal letters Ways of starting letters Ways of finishing letters Selection of appropriate phrases for different types of letters Free letter-writing practice

1 2 3 4 5 6-8 6 8 10 11 12 13 14-17 18

FORMAL AND INFORMAL OCCASIONS

TASK Which of these events are formal or informal? Discuss the reasons for your choices

Sd/E3.1d

INTRODUCTIONS PRACTICE You are the Managing Director of a large corporation. Your Personal Assistant wants to introduce you to the new Sales Executive. Good morning Mr/Mrs/Ms . May I present our new Sales Executive, ..

You are hosting a business lunch and introduce yourself to some guests that you havent met before Good afternoon. I dont think weve met before. My name is Mr/Mrs/Ms ., Im the Managing Director.

Sc/E3.2a

GREETINGS AND REQUESTS Hi, howre you doing? I havent seen you for ages

PRACTICE In pairs greet each other informally How do you do. My name is How do you do? My name is . Pleased to meet you

PRACTICE In pairs, then in threes, greet each other formally

Sc/E3.2a

Mr Ali Hussein Selbourne Close Liverpool 8

Dear Bank Manager I hope you are well and your business is ok. My business isnt good so I need your help. I want about 10,000 so that I can do some repairs to my shop and buy some things I need. I want you to lend me some money and I will pay it back later when my business better Let me know as soon as possible Thank you for your help

Ali Hussein
Who wrote this letter? What kind of letter is it? What is the main purpose of the letter? Is this a formal or informal letter? Look at this letter and write down what is wrong with it.

Rt/E3.2a, Rt/E3.7a

WHEN TO USE FORMAL ENGLISH Practice In pairs, ask each other the following questions and makes notes Have you ever?

Sent a note to school Ordered something from a catalogue Written away for a brochure Applied for a job in writing Written a letter of complaint Written to your M.P. Written to a newspaper Written to your employer Written to your accountant Written a report for an insurance company Written to a bank Other

No

Yes

When you have finished, feed back to the class.

Sc/E3.3b

FORMAL AND INFORMAL ENGLISH Formal English is the kind of English we use when we write business or official letters

Informal English is friendly. It is written more as we speak. We use it when we write to friends or relatives.

Practice Sue has written two letters, one in Formal English and the other in Informal English. Which is which? How are they different? Read the following two letters and give examples of phrases that are specifically formal and informal

6
Rt/E3.2a

13 Burlingford Way London N4 3EN Dear Anne Thanks ever so much for your letter. It was lovely to hear from you after all this time. Were all keeping well here. Andy has left school now, though he hasnt got a job yet Im afraid. Hows life with you? Wed love to see you all again. Why dont you spend a weekend with us when youre free? Give my love to Dave and the kids Love, Sue x 13 Burlingford Way London N4 3EN

Mrs M Hughes D.S.S 4-11 Carlton Avenue London SE4 5PD

Dear Mrs Smith Thank you for your letter concerning my National Insurance contributions. I confirm that I am able to attend for the interview on 15th November 2003 as requested. Yours sincerely

S JOHNSON (Ms) 7

WHAT MAKES THIS LETTER FORMAL? Is clear and gives exact details I confirm that I am able to attend for the interview Is brief and to the point Is cool, polite and business-like as requested It is not chatty Sounds more formal PRACTICE The following expressions are written in informal English. Re-write them in formal language Hope to see you soon Write back soon and let me know Hi! How are you doing? Give my love to the kids Dont forget to send me some more samples Dont worry, it wont happen again I assure you
Wt/E3.1a

PRACTICE Change the words which are underlined for a word or phrase from the box below. The first one is done as an example I got your letter of 15.6.03 about my insurance claim Here you could say: I received your letter concerning my insurance claim When I took back the vacuum cleaner . I have got hold of a copy of your brochure I have ordered the goods as you asked 8

I am not happy with the repair work Please send me the right form I have put in a Postal Order for 15 I would a like a new one I found that the lens was broken It was bought on 16.03.2003 I ought to get my money back I am not paying until the work is carried out I should like to arrange to come and see you Please let me have a sample copy

am entitled to discovered As requested purchased

dissatisfied received obtained forward enclose concerning appropriate returned a refund make an appointment withholding payment

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Wt/E3.1a

Laying out formal letters

Your address, but NOT your name

Recipients name, position and address

Date here or above Dear

Date here or below your address Dear Mr/Mrs if you know the name Dear Sir or Madam.. if you dont know the name

Give reason for writing, eg, Could you please send me details of , or if you are replying to a letter, give the date of the letter

Yours faithfully with Dear Sir or Madam Yours sincerely with Dear Mr/Mrs

Your signature

Your name printed

10

Practice Set out the following letters. Remember to include the date. The first one is done as an example: To The Manager, Odeon Cinema, 434 High Street, London SE24 3BQ From Mrs J Thompson, 102 King Street, London SE24 3NW 102 King Street London SE24 3NW 13 November 2003

The Manager Odeon Cinema 434 High Street London SE24 3BQ

Dear Sir/Madam

Yours faithfully J Thompson J THOMPSON (Mrs) To: The Manager, Bell & Stephenson, 312 East Street, London E24 1PT From: Ms Paula Foulkes, Chairperson, Weston Residents Association, Weston Way, London E23 6GN To: Mr Jameson, Headmaster, Shawcross Comprehensive School, Lindon Road, Manchester M3 6LD From Yourself To: The Housing Manager, Housing Dept, Trentham City Council, Town Hall Barton Road, Trentham TR4 4DS (Ref JP/43/27) From Sharon MacDonald, 5 Fordham Close, Trentham TR6 5TP

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Wt/E3.1a

WAYS OF STARTING LETTERS

Bracknell Street London N5 3EN Personnel Manager Marks and White Ltd 15 Southall Way London SE5 4TN 25 November 2003 Dear Sir I would like to apply for the post of Accounts Assistant, as advertised in the..on 2003.

Below are some common forms of starting letters. Read each one and tick when it is formal or informal, or could be either. Formal 1. We were delighted to hear from you 2. I wrote to you on _________ about 3. Thank you for your letter dated ______ concerning/requesting/confirming 4. Im sorry I havent written for so long 5. I am writing on behalf of 6. I would like to apply for the post of 7. Following our telephone conversation 8. How are you doing? 9. I am contacting you regarding Informal Either

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Rt/E3.2a

WAYS OF FINISHING LETTERS -

THE LAST LINE

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ ___________________________am entitled to a refund

I hope you can settle this matter to my satisfaction as soon as possible

Yours sincerely

L H SMITH (Mrs)

Practice Below are some common forms of finishing letters. Read each one and tick when it is formal or informal, or could be either. Formal e.g. I look forward to hearing from you I enclose a s.a.e./p.o./cheque for Please let me know if you need any further details Best wishes, I hope you will consider my application Please give this matter your urgent attention I hope you can settle this matter to My satisfaction as soon as possible If you cannot settle this matter to my satisfaction in the near future, I shall be forced to take legal action. 13 Informal Either

Rt/E3.2a

Practice Choose a suitable first and last line for each of the following: 1. A letter to your sister 2. A letter applying for a job 3. A letter responding to a letter from the Council dated 2nd November 2003 (Ref:GH/IS/450794) agreeing to pay the rates bill in full 4. A letter ordering a pullover from a mail order firm. 5. A letter demanding a refund. 6. A letter to a second-hard car business that has sold you a car which is dangerous to driver. You want to threaten them with prosecution. 7. A letter to a hotel asking for details about their facilities 8. A letter to your M.P. asking for his/her support in your campaign to get a nursery school built in your area 9. A letter to the Electricity Board asking if you can pay half your bill now and the remainder over the next two months. You have already phoned.

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Rt/E3.2a

PRACTICE Read the sentences and select the most appropriate for a formal letter. Explain the reasons for your choice, e.g. a) Ive read your letter you sent last week b) got your letter that came this morning c) Thank you for your letter, dated 11.9.2 c) is the best one because it gives the date of the letter. (a) and (b) dont give any dates and are also more long-winded General Letters 1 a) I have written to you twice on 11/6/2003 and 3/9/2003. You have not replied to either letter b) I have already written twice you havent answered c) I am sick of keeping on writing a).I am writing in reply to your note concerning my milk bill b) I had your note about my milk and am writing to you c) In reply to your note about my milk bill

Letters replying to advertisements 3 a) Could you please send me one of your brochures b) Please send me a brochure c) I want brochure a) I have put in the money b) I enclose a Postal Order for 15 c) Here is a Postal Order for the goods

Letters to school 5 a) Tom has got spots from his sister Janet and cant come to school b) Tom cant come to school because the doctor says hes got measles and must stay in bed c) Tom is unable to attend school. He has measles a) Im worried about Toms progress. Could I come to see you after school on Thursday? b) Tom cant read yet and his friend Adam can. Id like to know why. c) Youre not teaching Tom properly 15

Complaint letters 7 a) ..the shoes I ordered on 6/1/2003 b) the things I sent for c) the cheap rubbish you sent me 8 a) The shirt was horrible b) The shirt was very badly made c) What do you expect me to do with a lousy shirt like this? a) Your advertisement is misleading b) You are a load of crooks c) They are not what you said

Money matters 10 a) I am sorry I cannot settle the bill immediately as .. b) Im stony broke at the moment c) Please could you wait until Uncle Sam passes on?

Letters to work 11 a) Well, thats me b) I have done this sort of thing before c) I have worked as a sales assistant for 6 years a) I want more money b) Youre not paying me enough c) I should like to apply for a wage increase

12

16

Write you answers below 1 (..) is best because

2 (..) is best because ________________________________________________________________ 3 (..) is best because ________________________________________________________________ 4 (..) is best because

5 (..) is best because ________________________________________________________________ 6 (..) is best because ________________________________________________________________ 7 (..) is best because

8 (..) is best because ________________________________________________________________ 9 (..) is best because ________________________________________________________________ 10 (..) is best because

11 (..) is best because ________________________________________________________________ 12(..) is best because

17
Rt/E3.2a

LETTER WRITING PRACTICE Look at the letter on page 4.. You are going to write to your bank requesting information about bank loans and details of the terms and conditions. Using your home address, send the letter to Mr R Pritchard, Customer Services Manager, Lloyds Bank Ltd, 3 Park Court, Stanhope Street, Oldham OL1 3TS When you have finished, read it through carefully for spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes. Write it out again if necessary.

18

Wt/E3.1a, 4a; Ws/E3.2a, 3a