Studying Abroad

Hello students!

In today's session you'll get familiar with 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 387 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

Read the email below and tick the correct statements.

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 information about transport.

e.      He asks about equipment.

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

Activity 2

Complete the email with the words in the box.

grateful	provided	let	regards	keen
advert	join	experience	forward	confirm

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 …

Activity 3

Find indirect questions in the email, write them in you notebook and double check whether all the aspects listed above are included.

Activity 4

Make indirect questions using the introductory phrases. Write them down in your notebook.

Direct questions	Indirect questions
1. Do I have to wear anything special?	Can you confirm…?
2. How is transport to each session organized?	I would like to know …
3. Where is the nearest car park to the gym?	I wonder…
4. Does your tutor have a good success rate?	Could you tell me …?
5. How much does a course of lessons cost?	I’d be grateful if you could tell me …
6. Will I have to take an exam or a test?	I would like you to confirm …

LabWork

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 you. 

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

http://www.englishinusa.com/

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

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

Step 2

 Use the content checklist below to plan your text.

• How 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)

Step 3

Use the checklist to handwrite your first draft. Hand in your work to your teacher at the end of the lab session.

VERY IMPORTANT! When your teacher returns you your first draft with 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 for correction and marking together with all the preliminary steps requested to complete this assignment.