STUDYING ABROAD

Studying Abroad

Hello students!

In today's session you'll get familiar with the request letter style. By the end of this class, you'll be able to write a letter asking for specific information about a course abroad.

Did you know...?

Did you know that this year many  Chilean professionals were granted a scholarship to do an MA abroad?  If you work hard, you could be the next one!

Asking for information

Activity 1

Complete the email with the following words :

grateful	provided	let	regards	keen
advert	join	experience	forward	confirm

Activity 2

Read the email again and write a tick next to each sentence containing true information about it.

a.......     It’s the first time Richard has written to the organization.  

b.......      He has never been part of a conversation group before.

c......      He wants to find out about a job.

d......      He asks for information about transport.

e......     He asks about equipment.

f......        He tells how he found out about the group.

Language in Use          

How much do you know about indirect questions? Let’s see some important aspects:

In writing, we often use this type of questions to sound polite. Indirect questions... Use statement word order. Don’t use do/does/did. Use if /whether when there isn’t a question word.  Often use introductory phrases like: I would like to …, Can you...,etc. Example: Can you tell me what time it is.

Activity 3

Find indirect questions in the email, write them in your notebook  in the order they appear and number them.

Activity 4

Make indirect questions using the introductory phrases. 

Write them down in your notebook with their corresponding number.

Direct questions	Indirect questions
1. Why did she cry?	Could you tell…?
2. Whose car was it?	I would like to know …
3. Where is the nearest car park to the library?	I wonder…
4. Does your friend have any free tickets for the concert?	Can you tell me …?
5. How much does the FCE course preparation cost?	I’d be grateful if you could tell me …
6. Will I have to take an exam or just a test at the end ?	I would like you to confirm …

For home extra practise go to: http://www.e-grammar.org/indirect-question/ (personal and optional activity for self study)

Task 3

You are going to write an email to a foreign language school asking for information about their courses. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1

Browse these links and choose a language school that appeals to you. 

http://www.language-schools-uk.com/

http://www.englishinusa.com/

http://www.studyingaustralia.com/australia-language-schools.html

http://www.languageschool.co.nz/

Steps 2 and 3

a. Use the content checklist below to plan your text. 
b. Then use your plan to handwrite your first draft. 
c. Hand in your work to your teacher at the end of the lab session.

TO CONSIDER: All these elements must appear  in your email following the  given order:

• Where you heard about and/or got interested in  the course.
• Specific skills you want to improve
• Hours a week
• Accommodation
• Cost (tuition, lodging,etc)
• After-school activities
• Trips to other places in the country   
• (Your own)

VERY IMPORTANT!  When your teacher returns you your first draft with his or her comments and suggestions, you should type a second improved draft and send your email to the Institution you have chosen. Hopefully you will get an answer, which must be printed and submitted together with your improved email  for correction and marking.

Now. Enjoy a traveling song.