Module 9

III. Devise a pre-writing task for a level of your choice (that corresponds to the majority of your students)Level: Pre - IntermediateWriting skills: Informal letters

Dear Alison, Thanks very much for your letter. Im sorry I havent been in touch for ages, but Ive had to work really hard at school-the exams are in two weeks time and Im really nervous this time. It was so nice to hear from you and Im glad your party went so well. I did have a weekend off from studying last month Dad insisted I take a break and we all went up into the mountains and did some walking together. Very healthy! But apart from that I havent done much except work and sleep. Im getting very bored. Im really looking forward to seeing you in the holidays. Good luck with your exams! Give my love to your parents. Love from, AndreaPre-writing tasks1. 3 Hamilton Street London, NW6 7GE March 6thReading an example

a. Ask students to read the following letter.

b. Ask students: Who do you write letters to? When you write to friends or family, is it a formal or informal letter?

c. Students look at the layout of the letter above. Then they are asked to choose the correct item from each list below and match it with the correct place on the letter layout.

Salutationk) Dear Miss Alison,l) Dear Alison,m) Alison!n) Hi, Alison!I, AlisonHiDateg) the 6 Marchh) 6th March/ March 6thi) March the 6thj) the sixth of MarchAddressd) 3 Hamilton Street London NW6 7GEe) Hamilton Street 3 London NW6 7GEf) LondonClosing phrasea) Goodbye!b) Yours sincerely,c) Love from, 1. .... . . 2. .3. 4. .

Give my love/regards to your parents.Thanks very much for your letter.Sorry I havent been in touch for ages.Good luck next week/ with your exams!Hope to see you soon.I got your letter yesterday.I must stop now and catch the post.Im really looking forward to seeing you.It seems a long time since I last wrote.Keep in touch.It was so nice to hear from you.Say hello to Laura.Well, thats enough for now.Im sorry I havent written earlier/ recently/ for such a long time.Write soon.d. The teacher writes each of the following expressions on a piece of paper.

Then she gives each expression to a pair of students and writes two headings on the

Start a letterEnd a letter - blackboard,

asking students to stick their papers under the correct heading.

2. Generating ideasa. The teacher goes through the paragraphs plan in the SB with the whole class.

Letter PlanParagraph 1: Start the letter Thank your friend for his/ her last letter. Apologise for not writing back sooner. Explain briefly why you havent written.

Paragraph 2 : Give news and information Give current news about yourself. Mention your family and friends.

Paragraph 3: Ask for news Ask how your friend is getting on. Ask about your friends family and any other friends you both now.

Paragraph 4: End the letter Say that you must end the letter and why. Give your regards to his/ her parents. Ask him/ her to write soon.

In pairs, students discuss what they will write in their letter. The teacher elicits some examples from the whole class.b.