So there are hundreds of activities you can do with mobile phones. This lesson plan was designed around using their mobile devices to write the informal letter in part 2 of the PET exam. It's a full 60-80 minute class depending on numbers. It may seem complex at first but it's a simple 6 step class that will leave your students prepared to write in the correct tone, using paragraphs and most of all, remembering some important vocabulary and structures to help them when they reach the exam. Most importantly though it will stick in their minds long beyond the exam. While I realize this doesn't leave a huge amount of room for flair, but the sad fact is when trying to pass the PET exam formulaic writing tends to win out. This letter will provide students with a formula with a dash of added flair.
In this first blog I'm going to describe Part 1, 2 and 3 which can be used apart as a separate activity. In Thursdays blog I'll be describing how it can used in conjunction with the other parts and lead students to becoming more engaged and end up drilling exactly what they need to the exam.
After you've warmed you class up the first step to this class is getting them in the writing zone. always start with a few questions about PET writing part 3.
1) Text talk warmer <- - - click there(10-15 minutes max)
Cut up the "text talk" and get students to work in pairs matching it to the correct description. I give one students the cut up "test talk" and the other the board of answers and try and get them to figure out the answers without looking.CUl8er = see you later
S'up = what's up
GTG = I've got to go
NE1 = Anyone
and so on. Each pair will then keep hold of their completed, checked work.
After you've warmed you class up the first step to this class is getting them in the writing zone. always start with a few questions about PET writing part 3.
2) Ask students to describe part 3. Elicit which part is easier, the letter or the story.
The letter.
3) Next go on to ask students the basic conventions to a letter and elicit a few suggestions for each part. This will usually take about 20 - 25 minutes. It's the whole skeleton to the class
i) The Greeting
- Hey Jane, (COMMA)
- Hi Jane, (COMMA)
- Hello Jane, (COMMA)
Students often forget to use a comma.
ii) Opening Paragraph
Elicit that this paragraph is used to ask a)how your friend is, b)thank them for their letter and, words permitting c) apologise for not responding sooner. This paragraph doesn't depend on the question. This paragraph never needs to change. This is a chance to use a number of different tenses and an idiom or two. Elicit ideas for each sentence.
Here are some from my PET class.
a)
- How're you? (stress the fact contractions are a part of informal writing)
- How's life?
- What's up?
- What's happening?
- What's new?
- How have you been lately?
b)
- Thanks for your letter. I was very happy to read it.
- Cheers for your letter, I was over the moon when it arrived.
- Thank you so much for your letter, it was great to hear from you after so long.
c)
- I'm sorry I haven't written for so long, I've been really busy.
- I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I've been up to my eyeballs in revision.
- Sorry I didn't write back sooner. I am very busy with work at the moment.
iii) Paragraph two
Elicit that this paragraph is used to answer the question asked by your "English speaking penfriend" this is when I give my students the question.
This is part of a letter you receive from your penfriend James.
In your next letter, please tell me about the music you like.
What’s your favourite kind of music? Do you play an instrument?
What’s your favourite kind of music? Do you play an instrument?
I now get students to fill in the gaps of a model paragraph two. I stress to them that being honest is in no way important and grammatically correct lies are perfectly sufficient.
You asked me what_____________________________. I'm really keen on___________ because it's really_____________ not to mention _________________. You also asked me if I_____________________. Well, I've been_______the _________ for _______ years now. It isn't _______but I love it.
iv) Paragraph 3
Elicit that this is a sign off and is again unrelated to the questions. In this paragraph you should a) say you hope you've answered your friends questions, b) say you have to go and give a reason for leaving and c) ask your friend to write back/suggest meeting
a)
- I hope I've answered you questions.
- Did my answers help you?
b)
- I've got to go now. I've got an exam tomorrow and these books won't study them selves.
- I have to go.The bus is arrives in 2 minutes and I'll be late for school if I miss it.
- Sorry, I have to stop writing now. My mum needs a hand with the shopping.
c)
- Write back soon.
- Maybe we could meet up this weekend.
- We should meet up soon, it's been too long.
- Don't be a stranger.
v) The sign off
Emphasise that without this part they will lose points for organisation and it's as important as the greeting.
- Love
- Lots of love
- All my love
- See you later
NAME
In the end they'll have a sample letter that looks something like this.
Hey James,
What’s
up? Cheers for your letter, I was over the moon when it arrived. I'm sorry
it's taken me ages to reply. I've been up to my eyeballs in revision.
You asked me what music I like. I'm keen on rock
music because it's really exciting and fun to listen to. You also asked me if I
play an instrument. Well, I've been playing the triangle for seven years. It
isn't very glamorous but I love it.
I hope
I've answered you questions. I have to go. The bus arrives soon and I'll be
late if I miss it. We should meet up soon.
See you
later
Harry
In Thursday's blog I'll go on to explain the more interactive and exciting part of the class. The endlessly engaging aspect of having students take out their phones and use them in class.
Diagnostic tools are common tools that veterinarians use to diagnose pets. These tools are basically used to diagnose and find the reason for some disease or discomfort that the pets feel.
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