jenny dooley – virginia evans - express publishing · a letter for you 5 dear ....., (your name)...

Jenny Dooley – Virginia Evans

Contents

4

A Letter For You ..................................................................................................... p. 5

I. Language Passport ................................................................................................ p. 7

II. Language Biography

All About Me! ........................................................................................................... p. 8

How I Learn! ............................................................................................................. p. 9

My World of English! ............................................................................................... p. 10

Now I Can! ................................................................................................................ p. 11

Future Plans! ............................................................................................................. p. 13

III. Dossier

All About Me ............................................................................................................ p. 17

My Neighborhood ..................................................................................................... p. 19

Stories ........................................................................................................................ p. 21

Public Transportation ............................................................................................... p. 23

Fame .......................................................................................................................... p. 25

Part-time Jobs ........................................................................................................... p. 27

Stress-free .................................................................................................................. p. 29

Our Environment ...................................................................................................... p. 31

Money Matters .......................................................................................................... p. 33

Shopping Time .......................................................................................................... p. 35

Generation Gap ........................................................................................................ p. 37

Rules .......................................................................................................................... p. 39

A City Tour ............................................................................................................... p. 41

Local Customs ........................................................................................................... p. 43

Noise Pollution ......................................................................................................... p. 45

Messages .................................................................................................................... p. 47

IV. Extra Activities ....................................................................................................... p. 49

My Selection! ............................................................................................................ p. 51

Contents ..................................................................................................................... p. 53

A Letter For You

5

Dear ............................................................., (your name)

This Language Portfolio is your property. It has been designed to help you improve your

language learning. It will accompany you throughout this course and will help you document

your learning both inside and outside the classroom.

The Language Portfolio contains material which you can use and then keep as a record of

your learning. In this portfolio, you can also include any extra material given to you by your

teacher. However, the final decision of what to include in the Language Portfolio is

completely up to you.

In practice, Language Portfolios may include projects or other examples of written work,

computer disks (with work or drawings completed inside or outside the classroom), video

cassettes/DVDs (with your favorite story or performances of songs, school plays, etc.),

certificates, reports from your teachers, or even a collection of objects or pictures.

Here is a short explanation of each section in your Language Portfolio:

I. Language Passport

This is an up-to-date report of your progress in English language learning. In this section you

will include evidence of your formal qualifications (certificates, diplomas), tests, progress

report cards, self-assessment cards, etc.


This is an up-to-date record of your personal language learning history, which will help you

evaluate your learning goals and reflect on your language learning and intercultural

experiences.

III. Dossier

This is a collection of your work which you have chosen in order to illustrate your language

skills, experiences, and achievements in the English language. In this section of your

Language Portfolio there is some material you can use. You can also file any work you do

inside or outside the classroom that you would like to keep as evidence of your work in

learning English.

We hope you enjoy these activities.

Jenny Dooley – Virginia Evans

6

How to organize your Language Portfolio

In your Language Portfolio, you can include almost anything you have produced or collected that documents

your progress in learning English. We suggest you keep your work in plastic file folders so that it remains in

good condition.

In practice, your Language Portfolio can be any shape or size according to the material you choose to store.

Your Language Portfolio can include any of the following:

I. Language Passport

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Here you can record all your achievements in the English language. You can include certificates,

diplomas, progress report cards, self-assessment forms, tests, etc. In general, you can include

anything that is proof of your competence in English.

Every time you add something, record it in your Language Passport Chart.

Date Type of Material

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MY LANGUAGE PASSPORT CHART


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All About Me!

Name: Date of birth:

Age: Place of birth:

I am in my year of English.

My English teacher’s name:

Read and put a check (✓✓) or an ‘✗✗’.

Some members of my family speak English.

Some members of my family are from an English-speaking country.

I often read English books, magazines, etc.

I often watch English TV programs.

I often listen to English songs.

I have extra English lessons.

There is someone at home who speaks English to me.

I have contact with people from English-speaking countries.

I have visited/lived in the following English-speaking countries:

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Think about the easiest ways for you to learn something new. Read the sentences below, and put a

check next to the answers that best describe the way you learn. You can choose more than one answer.

1 I understand words/sentences better if I ...A listen to them on cassette/CD.

B listen to my teacher saying them.

C see them written down.

D see, listen, and do something with them.

E other

2 I learn words/phrases better if I ...A listen to them on cassette/CD.

B listen to my classmates saying them.

C read them.

D write them down.

E repeat them.

F act them out, sing them, etc.

G come across them on a video/DVD, etc.

H other

3 I can express myself best if I ...A already know all the words I need to use.

B know some of the words I need to use.

C use pantomime, objects, and pictures to help me.

D already have some life experience in the subject.

E other

4 I learn best if I work ...A on my own. B in pairs. C in groups/teams. D other

5 I am more eager to learn if ...A I know why I’m doing an activity.

B I know an activity will help me.

C I am rewarded.

D an activity will help me find out more about the things I like.

E other

6 I understand grammar rules better if ...A they are explained to me in my native language.

B I compare them with the grammar rules of my native language.

C I explore a text and come up with the grammar rules myself.

D other

How I Learn!


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My World of English!

Make notes about the following.

The stories I know in English

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The songs I can sing in English

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The videos/DVDs I’ve watched in English

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Here is what you should be able to do in English after this course. Every now and then, for instance once a

month, you will need to check your progress in the English language. For this reason, you should use a

pencil so that you can change and/or add things as you go along. You can use the following code:

Listening

I can ...

ñ understand people talking about things I know. .......................

ñ understand people giving factual information. .......................

ñ understand everyday conversations. .......................

ñ understand programs on TV and the radio. .......................

ñ understand movies. .......................

ñ guess the meaning of unknown words. .......................

ñ understand other people when they speak clearly. .......................

ñ understand short lectures and talks. .......................

Reading

I can ...

ñ understand texts on subjects I am interested in. .......................

ñ understand personal letters expressing feelings. .......................

ñ understand brochures and short, official documents. .......................

ñ understand descriptions of events. .......................

ñ understand argumentative texts that are written clearly. .......................

ñ understand clear, straightforward instructions about a piece of equipment. .......................

ñ understand newspaper articles about topics I am familiar with. .......................

ñ find and understand general information in everyday material. .......................

Very Well: ✓✓✓ OK: ✓✓ Not Very Well: ✓

Now I Can!


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Speaking

I can ...

ñ describe things to people. .......................

ñ give instructions. .......................

ñ give directions. .......................

ñ give advice to people. .......................

ñ give news. .......................

ñ express my thoughts on abstract cultural topics (movies, books, music)/social issues. .......................

ñ describe personal experiences. .......................

ñ describe feelings. .......................

ñ talk about my dreams, hopes, wishes, and ambitions. .......................

Writing

I can ...

ñ write a short narrative. .......................

ñ describe the plot of a book or a movie. .......................

ñ describe my thoughts on cultural topics, such as movies and music. .......................

ñ write personal letters expressing feelings, giving news, making complaints, and giving advice. ......................

ñ take messages describing inquiries and problems. .......................

ñ write a short for-and-against essay. .......................

ñ write short communicative messages. .......................

ñ write a text expressing opinion. .......................


13

What would you like to do in the future to improve your English? How can you learn more about other

people and other countries? Choose and write. You can also use your own ideas.

I WOULD LIKE TO ...

ñ read English stories, magazines, etc.

ñ watch English movies, programs, etc.

ñ listen to English songs.

ñ talk to native English speakers.

ñ use the Internet and visit English web sites.

ñ write to people from other countries.

ñ visit other countries.

ñ find information about other countries and

cultures.

Future Plans!

III. Dossier

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In your Language Portfolio, you can include anything you would like to keep and present as evidence of

your progress in the English language. Here are some activities you can do that can be included in your

Language Portfolio, if you wish. Every time you do one of these activities, check (✓) the corresponding box.

Title of the activity

17 All About Me! 1

19 My Neighborhood 1

21 Stories 2

23 Public Transportation 2

25 Fame 3

27 Part-time Jobs 3

29 Stress-free 4

31 Our Environment 4

33 Money Matters 5

35 Shopping Time 5

37 Generation Gap 6

39 Rules 6

41 A City Tour 7

43 Local Customs 7

45 Noise Pollution 8

47 Messages 8

PageIt can be done at

the end ofModule ...

Name: .......................................................

School: .......................................................

Class: .......................................................

Glue a photoof yourself

here

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

All About Me

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

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Dear ..........................,

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.........................................................................................................................Yours ..........................,

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✓ Your pen pal in Nova Scotia has written to you, asking about you and your life. Write a letter

(100-120 words) describing:

ñ your physical appearance

ñ your likes and dislikes

ñ what you normally like to do on the weekend

ñ anything unusual that you have done recently

My Neighborhood

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

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✓ You have been asked to write an article (120-150 words) for a national magazine about your

neighborhood.

You should include:

ñ fun activities

ñ your favorite spot

ñ what you enjoy doing the most



✓ Read your article to the class. Record yourself.

Stories

✓ Write a story about a journey you have taken that was amazing, exciting, scary, or dangerous.

Include the time, place, and who you traveled with. Describe the events in sequence (150-180

words).

✓ Read your story aloud and record it. Play the recording for the class.

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

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Public Transportation

✓ Your local transportation authority is doing a survey on how you feel about transportation

in your area. They have asked you to fill out a questionnaire. List all the types of

transportation in your area in the first column and complete the questionnaire.

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

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✓ Now, write a short text (80-100 words) about what improvements you would like to see in

your local transportation system.

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Type of transportation

How oftenyou use it

What youuse it for Why it is useful Improvements

Fame

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

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✓ You are going to write an article (120-150 words) about your favorite movie star for an Internet

web site. Do some research on your movie star, and then write your article. You should include:

ñ name ñ most famous movie

ñ date of birth ñ what they did before they started acting

ñ place of birth ñ their personal beliefs or attitudes

ñ movies

✓ Present your favorite movie star to the class. Record your presentation.

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(photo)

Part-time Jobs

✓ You are studying in Texas. You want to find a part-time job. You’ve seen the following

advertisement in the local newspaper and have decided to apply for the position.

Write your job application letter.

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

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Dear Sir/Madam,

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Sincerely yours,

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Austin’s fashions, a stylish clothing store for men and

women is seeking a young, hardworking person to fill a vacancy for a

part-time salesperson.

You will work in a lively and enjoyable environment five mornings a

week. Full training will be provided, but some experience is required.

Apply in writing.

Stress-free

✓ Ask friends and family what makes them stressed and what they do to relieve stress. Fill in

the table below.

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

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✓ Use the ideas that people have given you to write a short article (100-120 words) about what

stresses people and what someone can do to relieve stress.

Do tests stress you? Then, ....................................................

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Name AgeWhat makes me

stressedWhat I do torelieve stress

Our Environment

✓ A local businessman has made a proposal to build on your favorite nature spot (e.g., forest,

beach, river, field). There is going to be a public meeting to discuss the proposal next week.

Write a speech (150-180 words) that you will give at the public meeting. Explain why the

land is important to the environment and the animals that live there, but most importantly,

explain why it is important to you.

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

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Good evening,

I’m here today to talk about .............................................................................................................

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Thank you

✓ Make your speech. Record yourself.

Money Matters

✓ You have just returned from a two-week vacation, and you spent much more money than

you had planned.

Write a letter (120-150 words) to your best friend about your vacation, describing where you

went, what you did, and what you spent your money on.

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

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Dear ................................,

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Yours ................................,

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✓ Read your letter to the class and record it.

Shopping Time

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✓ You have been asked to write a short guide (120-150 words) about the stores in your area

for your local newspaper.

Include places where you can buy:

ñ clothes ñ magazines ñ books ñ food ñ music ñ medicine ñ flowers

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Use your guide to tell the class about the stores in your area. Record yourself.

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hopping in ............................................S

✓ You are an advice columnist for a teen magazine. Read Bob’s problem and write a response.

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

Dear Bob,

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Yours truly,

Problemsolvers

Dear Problemsolvers,

My parents are too strict. They won’t let me stay out late at night

or go to parties with my friends. They don’t let me play my

music loud, either. I feel frustrated and angry. What can I do?

Please give me some advice.

Yours,

Bob

Generation Gap

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✓ An international magazine is asking children around the world what rules they have in their

lives. Write down four rules that you have in your family, school (or work), and community.

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Write a short article (120-150 words) for the magazine on what you think about the rules in

your life. Which rules do you think are important? Which rules would you change if you

could?

Family Rules

1 ......................................

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2 ......................................

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3 ......................................

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4 ......................................

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School/Work Rules

1 ......................................

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Community Rules

1 ......................................

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2 ......................................

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3 ......................................

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Stick to the Rules ffrroomm ..............................................................

Everyone needs some rules in their life. For instance, ...........................................................................

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Rules for health and safety are important and necessary. For example, .........................................

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However, I think some rules are unnecessary. For instance, ................................................................

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Rules

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✓ You work for a sightseeing bus tour company. Your boss has asked you to prepare an

itinerary on the best sights that your city has to offer. Glue a photo of each place on your

itinerary in the spaces below. Then, write a short text about each one. Include:

ñ name of the place ñ what makes this place special

ñ arrival time ñ what there is to do/see

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Present your itinerary to the class. Record yourself.

The Best Sights in ............................

1 ........................................................................

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2 ........................................................................

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3 ........................................................................

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Have you ever visited .....................? Well, the best way to see the city is on a sightseeing bus tour.

Join us for an exciting trip around the city and seesome fabulous sights along the way.

(photo)

(photo)

(photo)

A City Tour

41



Hi! How is everyone? I’m having .............................................................................................

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The Chinese culture is very different from ours. ........................................................

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I’ve also found out that it’s rude to ................................................................................

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See you when I get home.

Yours,

.................................

To: Mom & Dad

From: ...............................

Subject: Chinese culture

✓ You are visiting a friend in China. Use the travel tips below to write an e-mail to your family

telling them about local customs and behavior.

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

ñ The Chinese do not usually open gifts at the time they receive them.

ñ To break the ice with a stranger, it’s best to talk about topics like:

the weather, sports, food, or hobbies.

ñ Always stand up when being introduced, and remain standing

throughout the introduction.

ñ Do not hug or backslap a person, and don’t put your arm

around someone’s shoulder.

ñ Whistling is considered rude, as is talking while eating.

Local Customs

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ñ Turn down loud music in your house.

ñ ............................................................................................................................................................

ñ ............................................................................................................................................................

ñ ............................................................................................................................................................

ñ ............................................................................................................................................................

ñ ............................................................................................................................................................

ñ ...........................................................................................................................................................

ñ ...........................................................................................................................................................

ñ ...........................................................................................................................................................

ñ ...........................................................................................................................................................

ñ ...........................................................................................................................................................

Noise Pollution

✓ Make a list of things you can do to prevent noise pollution. Think about what you can do at

home and in your neighborhood/community.

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

45



✓ Use your list to tell the class how to prevent noise pollution. Record yourself.

Messages

47



✓ This afternoon you are going to write some e-mails to your friends. You have to write short

e-mails (20-40 words) for the following:

ñ to cancel an arrangement

ñ to wish somebody good luck with a test

ñ to say congratulations on passing a final test

ñ to accept an invitation to a party

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

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To:From:Subject:

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To:From:Subject:

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To:From:Subject:

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To:From:Subject:

IV. Extra Activities

49

In this section, you can include anything you do inside and outside the classroom that demonstrates your

English language work. You can also write some comments (e.g., why you liked the activity, if you found it

difficult/easy, etc.) on the activity pages. It will be useful if you write the date you did the activity.

Remember, the choice of activities is yours. Every time you add something new, record it in the table on

the next page.

Family Tree!

Type of

Material Content Individual

WorkGroup Work

With corrections

(from the teacher)

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

yes

no

Date

My Selection!

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Family Tree!

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✓ You can use this page to write the titles of the activities you choose to file in

your Language Portfolio.

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Contents

55

Published by Express Publishing

Liberty House, New Greenham Park, Newbury,

Berkshire RG19 6HW

Tel: (0044) 1635 817 363

Fax: (0044) 1635 817 463

e-mail: [email protected]

http://www.expresspublishing.co.uk

© Jenny Dooley — Virginia Evans, 2006

Illustrations: © Express Publishing, 2006

Published in 2006

Made in EU

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,

electronic, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written

permission of the publishers.

This book is not meant to be changed in any way.

ISBN-13: 978-1-84679-351-6

ISBN-10: 1-84679-351-3

ISBN-13: 978-1-84679-351-6ISBN-10: 1-84679-351-3

jenny dooley – virginia evans - express publishing · a letter for you 5 dear ....., (your name)...

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