Search results for 'tag:Formal letters tag:IELTS' matching tags 'Formal letters' and 'IELTS'

Re: Inferior dialects?

Randy_Tam — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 09:36:48 GMT

I am not quite close to 'homeless'. I am living at my aunt's home because my granny invited 3 of her siplings to stay... aiya, according to my parents this is going to last 2 weeks or more. I am currently using my uncle's PC just to get here and take a look at what you say. Though I cannot come here as frequently as I used to.

Looking at dictionaries for meanings, phonetic representations whatever does not mean you are forming rules of some sort. I am sorry I didn't include this in describing what a native speaker's going to do with a dictionary... lol. This is especially true with languages belonging to the Sino family, the orthography of which is ideographic, for which reason the phonological form can hardly be guessed just from its shape (I remember I read a passage during my F3 Chinese lessons called <æ¼¢åççµæ§>, in which the author asserted that there's a kind of Chinese letters, the å½¢è²å, whose pronunciations could be guessed. I can hardly agree with this. Even an L1 speaker of Chinese, without prior training, can hardly succeed in this.). This is also true, to a certain extent, of English because of its hybrid source of etymons (... um... I mean the root of a lexical item. I don't really remember the English jargon for it): French, Old English, German, Irish, Greek, Latin... all contribute to the English language as it is today, leading to the lack of consistency between the orthographical and phonological forms of English words. These little 'cracks' of course can not be formulated by the human cognitive system (simply by means of conjecture, etc).

Language is of course not a science, but the STUDY into it can be, just as one may well argue whether translatology is an art or a science.

I am not really sure whether university English courses lay more stress on the scientific side of languages than on the cultural side thereof. To the best of my knowledge, this is not the case. Both are given equal stress. I come to this conclusion from information available to me. Lingnan University, where I am taking my undergraduate yr1 course in Contemporary English and Education, and Chinese University, where a friend of mine is currently a yr2 student in English, both have introductory courses into 'English Grammar', as well as introductory courses into literature in English. The workload is virtually the same for the 2 parts, at least in yr 1. But as the course goes on, more such courses as 'language and culture' or 'sociolinguistics' are available, making the curriculum more relevant to the relationship between language and social factors.

But your statement is true in that Hong Kongers are culturally more and more illiterate, being ignorant not only in foreign cultures but also in their own. Their ignorance in local culture being irrelevant here, I'd like to suggest some plausible reasons why language education from a cultural perspective is losing its ground.

1. It appears students are less motivated (in their learning) these days. What I mean by this is that days at school become more and more dreary: schooling is more or less a long toil, against which students devise one of the most primitive countermeasures known to man --- go have some sleep and look for your Juliet in your dream, handsome Romeo.

But this 'countermeasure' has its roots in that at night students have to attend tutorial classes, which they deem even more useful than classes at school. They having had such classes head back home have their dinner, do some homework and perhaps some reading as well, and, hey mama, I need time to play and relax a while. Voila, time to sleep puppy, it's already 0300 in the midnight. Frankly last year when I was having my A Level, I spent almost 7 hours everyday after school just to revise and read something more (I didn't take tutorial classes, save for economics), it was already 1200 when I returned home from the self - study facilities. It was hell. All this lead to a persistent fatigue in students.

So, the consequence is that, even if the cultural side of language is come across at school, there could hardly be anyone listening (lol.... reminds me of my UE class. Almost 2 / 3 of our class were sleeping if no assignments were given).

2. One may well ask an old question, 'why do students opt for tutorial classes instead of school?' To this old question I give an old answer, 'because students think tutorial classes are more useful, in that they cut the craps and just get straight to the point.' ---> I didn't take tutorials so don't blame me for that. But from what I hear, from my ex - gf (...), my friends, and my classmates, this is the case.

What is meant, then, by 'craps'? ie. anything that is not relevant to the examinations ahead. Examinations, strangely enough, dominate students' minds. My classmates may well think that I am good at linguistics, and so they will immediately conclude, without exception, 'so you must score a high GPA'... Sadly, the thing that is immediately associated with 'good or bad' is a score.

Your suggestion about IELTS (that I took 2 years ago lol without attending any tutorial classes or doing preparations of any sort... just fulfilling your 'minimum requirement' when I was a 6th former) therefore, in this context, does not really render any use in determining the (always abtract) 'language standard' of English teachers. IELTS has nothing about 'culture'. Given that absurd formula (good / bad = score), and given the fact that actually there are tutorial classes given on this test available in Hong Kong, IELTS is simply another UE.

3. These lead to the 3rd possible cause: All that Hong Kong (as a physiological identity separated from its people) wants about English is to make it a little utility: the current English curriculum is concerned with how to use English (as the name of the subject suggests: Use of English), not how to appreciate English as a language or, as Sapir - Whorf's hypothesis suggests, a fruit of a culture. Think about the writing assignments: Letter to the editor, Letter of complaint, Informal letter to a friend (sharing students' own experience perhaps), and essays (on the sheer knowledge on some current social issues). Listening is more or less to make students a 'phono - type', write whatever you hear. (of course, that needs some thought... but what is needed in a real dialogue: any puns suggested? the attitude of the speaker? 'slips of tongue'? all these are absent). Oral~ haha, that's a joke. Just keep talking and make your points understandable to your partners to score high. If this is not enough, sham having some 'foreign accents'. What is the most 'important part' in English exams in Hong Kong, as an interviewee in a programme produced by TVB (name really forgotten, but the programme is great!) pointed out, is 'comprehension', not how to express oneself, accounting for the 'deteriorating English language standard' these days.

4. What makes the situation even worse is the availability of such 'lures' as PC games, movies, and the Internet (-_-... am I not surfing the net?). Students 20 years ago may take pleasure in reading fictions: Le Docteur Pascal, Women in Love, the God of Small Things (I didn't take AL E. Lit.; I really read it for pleasure), Sybil (by Benjamin Disraeli), these are all fictions that I like. But as other forms of leisure can be more easily reached today, reading (to learn from the 'experience of another person': a 'function' of literature) becomes a hefty burden from which every students wants to escape.

So... the entire 'English pedagogic machine' becomes a miserable thing brewing students who treat English as nothing more than a tool to show their 'erudition', as is observed from the fact that complaint letters written in English to the Government or to such other authorities as concerned are paid more attention to, even if the author thereof is a Hong Konger. I do not mean Hong Kongers are in their nature 'inferior' to non - Hong Kongers. What I am trying to bring out is that there exists a sort of 'linguistic discrimination', even if the government has declared equal legal status of Chinese and English. Discriminations of this sort conduce to English being treated the utilitarian way. Actually I was writing an essay on this attitude toward English when the semester started. But the 'study' was halted by the profs, on the grounds that I am but a yr1 student, so that I should leave the topic to my yr 3 (actually yr 4) final paper. Anyway, I don't give a damn anymore.

Your suggestion relative to the English curriculum is good... but I wonder if it would be possible even in the university, as the topics suggested are each already a large topic. Or are you actually suggesting it as a framework that is to be followed through during the 16 years (university years inclusive) of schooling?

I love linguistics not really because I treat language in a parochial scientific way. I am limiting 'language' to the 'essence' (leaving this undefined) because I am more interested in the common traits shared by ALL human languages. Culture... yes, that sounds great, and in my literature studies I remember I once looked into the relationship between 'gender roles' and why Alice Munro's <Boys and Girls> is written that way. But still, linguistics studied in the way I mentioned before is what I am most interested in, for which reason I am not really ok with the course I am taking and am therefore applying by non - JUPAS for CU linguistics... to see if I have a chance.

Assesment of 2 letters for the IELTS exam

sherif_fam — Wed, 27 Oct 2004 17:24:44 GMT

Hi

I am self-preparing for the IELTS exam. Currently I am preparing for writing task 1 (writing a letter not less than 150 words).
I have nobody to assess my writings and I would appreciate very much if any moderator could check the following 2 letters (one is formal and the other to a friend). All advices are highly appreciated.
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Formal letter:
Subject: "You recently went shopping at the local supermarket. When you got home and studied your bill you found that you have been charged for items you did not purchase.
Write a letter to the supermarket manager explaining what has happened. Tell the manager how you feel about the error and ask him to do something about it."

Answer:

EL HAYAA Supermarket
P.O. Box 2774
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
25 October 2004

Attention: Supermarket manager

Dear Sir,

Subject: Error in Bill No. 2554, dated 24 October 2004

I am writing in reference to an error I just noticed in my bill issued from your store. The bill number is 2554, dated 24 October 2004 and the cashier is Mr. Akbar.

I discovered that some additional items -which I did not purchase- have been comprised in the bill. Details of these items are as follows:
- Coffee Gloria Jeans, item # 2650, price : Dhs 60.00
- Frozen meat, item # 4599, price: Dhs 70.00
These items caused an excess in the bill amount by Dhs 130.00

I am astonished from such error, as I am a regular customer to your store, and it is the first time I encounter such incident.

I would be grateful if you could arrange a rectification for that error. I suggest 2 solutions. Either you refund me back the excessed amount, or deduct it from my next bill. Please notify me whichever solution suits you better, or of any alternatives.

Should you require any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you, and anticipating your early response.

Yours faithfully,

Sherif Fam
Mobile: 050-8765432
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Informal letter:

Subject: "You have a friend who lives in a city abroad. You have decided that you would like to apply to do a course at one of the colleges in this city.
Write to your friend explaining what you would like to do. Tell him/her what type of work or studies you have been doing for tha past few years and ask for assistance in contacting an appropriate institution."

Answer:

Dear Margarete
25/11/04

It has been ages since our last writings. How are you, and your family? I wish everything is going well with you.

You must be wondering where I have been hidden for this long duration. Well, I joined an international company in Abu Dhabi, as Information Technology manager. The work is so demanding and stressing, specially in this fast-developing field. I have to be up to date with all the arising new technologies, which is not always an easy task. Anyway I felt I need a break, and discussed with the General Manager for an unpaid leave for 3 months, and guess what, he agreed.

I am thinking to get use of this leave to travel to Germany. It will be a good chance to meet you and your family.

In the mean time, I am planning to attend a course in the "artificial intelligence progragramming". As Germany pioneered in this field, I would be very grateful if you could assist me in selecting a good institute to attend a course there. It will be more convenient if it is specialised in tutoring this field of programming. I tried to search the internet, but unfortunately in vain. I can not tell if the institutes are of good reputation, have professional teachers, etc...

I am really looking forward for our previous time here in Abu Dhabi. You can show to me your home country, your school, the church, and all these things you talked about.

Thank you for your efforts and wishing you all the best,

Best regards,

Sherif
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To anyone who provides advices: many thanks.

Sherif

Help with formal letter writing to a university

Grzesio — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 19:46:44 GMT

Hello

I'm writing to complain on a drudgery of translating the logistics of the Polish Nowa Matura (high school end-exam) into English so that ***'s admission staff could understand what I'll be going through. I'm not very content with the length of the letter, so I have written down some suggestions at the end but I would like to ask you if you could review and edit my letter if necessary;].

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Dear Sir or Madam.

I am writing inasmuch I would like to receive information on the acceptability of Polish qualifications. By dint of having studied carefully your website on requirements for prospective students from the EU I now have a general thought of ***âs admission standards but I am hoping for some further information referring my cause.
I will graduate from high school in June 2005 previously having taken the "Nowa Matura" ("The New Matura") exam.
Unlike in the old Matura exam, which was an internal exam followed by acquiring "Swiadectwo dojrzalosci" with each marks (from 1 - lowest to 6 - highest), the "Nowa Matura" is an external exam. It is not only more impartial but also Matura scores will be used for university admission purposes because the tests predict college success. Subject tests measure knowledge or skills in a particular subject and studentâs ability to apply that knowledge. All official documents refer to the old Matura as to "Egzamin Dojrzalosci" and to "Nowa Matura" as to "Matura". It consists of two parts: oral and written, each consisting of compulsory and additional subject tests. Every subject test, excluding polish language test in oral part, can be passed on elementary or advanced level. Students who are to receive "Swiadectwo Maturalne" are expected to have taken following compulsory tests:

ORAL MATURA EXAM:
1. Polish Language Test (One-level test)
2. Modern Foreign Language Test (Elementary/advanced level. A student can choose from: English, German, Russian, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish and Slovak)
3. Minority Language Test (One-level exam. Refers to minority members)

WRITTEN MATURA EXAM:
[Student chooses level at which he wishes to take on]
1. Polish Language Test
2. Modern Foreign Language Test (It has to be the same language as chosen by a student in oral part of the exam)
3. A test from a subject of studentâs individual choice from the following list: biology, chemistry, physics with astronomy, geography, history, history of music, history of art, mathematics, "wiedza o spoleczenstwie" and dance theory.
4. Minority Language Test (Refers to minority members)

In order to pass the Matura exam and acquire "Swiadectwo Maturalne" a student has to get at least 30 percent of maximum number of points available at the elementary level. In case of language exams a student has to get 30 percent of points both on oral and written parts.
In addition to compulsory subject tests student can choose up to three additional subject tests (from given list) which he has to take on advanced level.
In oral part of the exam a student can choose another modern foreign language test (different from the compulsory) and/or ethnical group language test.
In written part a student can choose up to three subject tests from the following: biology, geography, chemistry, physics with astronomy, history, history of music, history of art, computer science, Greek with antique culture, Latin with antique culture, modern foreign language (from the same group as in oral compulsory part), ethnical group language, mathematics, "wiedza o spoleczenstwie", dance theory.

"Wiedza o spoleczenstwie" stands for "society science" - it is a new subject which combines modern history, social science, pre-law studies, economy, journalism and politics. In Poland all major universities require prospective law students to have taken the "wiedza o spoleczenstiwe" Matura test on advanced level.
By 30 September we were to declare subjects taken on the Matura and their level. I have declared exams in advanced English, advanced history and advanced "wiedza o spoleczenstwie". I will be also taking on Polish language test (compulsory). In order to fulfil ***'s English language requirements I will be taking the IELTS.
I am interested in applying for admission to the LLB degree programme in Law and I would like to know how would my Matura scores be recognized by the *** ***? From the lecture of ***'s webpage for prospective students I have learned that I should consult Laws Faculty Office on the recognition of Access Courses. Does *** organizes such courses for prospective law students and should I pursue admission at one?
I look forward to receiving your reply. Please feel free to contact me for further information.

Yours Faithfully
Grzegorz G
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1. I wonder if I should parenthesis the informations regarding "Nowa Matura" from the words "Unlike in the old Matura exam..." to the words "In Poland all major universities require prospective law students to have taken the "wiedza o spoleczenstiwe" Matura test on advanced level." ??
2. Or should I cut the above part out and enclose it at the bottom of the letter. I would consider placing asterisk somewhere: maybe "By 30 September we were to declare subjects taken on the *** and their ***." ?
Don't be hard on me - it's my first serious formal letter:].

Looking forward to your suggestions.