Easy Writing English - Unit 1

UNIT 1

Objectives:

	Appreciate the importance of learning a foreign language.
	Describe people and places.
	Revise the use of the simple present, adjectives and vocabulary related to physical appearance and character.
	Describe oneself.

Procedures:

	Read and talk about the importance of learning English.
	Practice and use of vocabulary related to physical appearance, character and places.
	Ask questions about school days now and in the past.
	Write an email to a keypal.

English is studied by 250 million people around the world. These people study English as a second or foreign language.

You study English as a second language when English is the official language in the country where you live, but it is not your native language. However, you study English as a foreign language when English is a foreign language used for communication, study, or business.

English is the first language in many countries like Great Britain, Ireland, the United States of America, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Around 400 million people speak English as their first language.

In some other countries English is the second official language. Among them, we can mention India, Tanzania, Nigeria and Malasia.

English is a very important language in business and comerce, technology, the internet, the media, science, sports and music.

Pre-writing:

Warm-up activity:

What do you think about this?

English is useful to find a job

English is difficult to learn because it's very different from Spanish

You need English for your future studies, for example to do research

English is a perfect way to communicate with people from other countries

You can study abroad for a year and improve your English

English can be useful for my future studies

Travelling abroad is easy when you can speak English

English is very useful when you use computer programs, video games, etc

Keypal messages

Many young people like you study English at school. Read the following messages by young people introducing themselves

What do they say about themselves? Do they talk about their country of origin, their age or hobbies?

	Ruth =====@hotmail.com England Hello,My name is Ruth and I'm 22. I live in the north west of England and speak French and Spanish, which I would like to practise. I like going to the cinema, reading, music, travelling and making new friends. I look forward to hearing from you.
	Luis ======@hotmail.com United States of America Seeking:: Both Male and Female friends Hobbies:: From playing tickle monster with my little cousins, rollerblading, people watching, traveling, Renovations, sculpting, volunteering and languages. Hello from New York City!!! I would like to know about other cultures and people. I plan to go Europe next year. I also speak Spanish and understand some French. Email me in FRENCH, SPANISH or ENGLISH. I would love to help others learn English. Hear from you soon!!
	Melany =====@hotmail.com Germany Hello! My name is Melany. I live in Germany. I am 17 years old and I like writing to people of other countries. I like listening to music, dancing and reading. I also like body piercing... did you notice? :) I hope to hear from anybody soon.
	Mytka ======@hotmail.com Estonia Hello from Estonia. I'm Mytka. I am sixteen years old and I love dancing folk music! I live in Tartu, a beautiful city in central Estonia. I learn English at school. I also study French. I want to travel around Europe so write to me! I may visit you. I have got seven brothers and I talk a lot. I love walking in the countryside. I look forward to your messages.
	Steve =======@hotmail.com Australia Hello everybody! My name is Steve and I live in Sidney, Australia. I am looking for keypals in Spain, France or Italy. I like playing with computers, roller-blading and ice-skating. I enjoy staurday nights with my friends in the disco because I like listening to tecno music, and you? I have got three noisy borthers: Marc, John and Sheila. Write to me!
	Kenzo =======@hotmail.com South Africa Hello! I am Kenzo. I study computer science at university. I am 19 years old. I live in Lesotho in South Africa. I like meeting people from far countries. I also enjoy going to the cinema and playing tennis. If you want to have a friend abroad, you have found it! Write to me!

Which one do you find more interesting? What kind of keypal do you like?

When you write to someone you don't know you usually describe yourself or your city. Continue with the next activity to get some practice.

Describing people and yourself

Describing places:

Extra bonus: A computer-generated sketch of your face in about a minute!