Engels les 19: Informal and formal writing

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 3

Lesson 19

English Grammar: 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0oedpy8mqWg

Prepositions of place & movement

Beside = next to, at the side of, by.

Example: Amanda sat beside the old man during dinner. 

Besides =  as well as, in addition to. 

Example: What else are you studying besides English?

Which preposition is correct?
I have got plenty of other things to do ... talking to you

1. beyond
2. beside
3. along
4. besides

Prepositions of place & movement

• Where something/someone is or is going to;
• Almost no standard rules;

Which preposition is correct?
I have a meeting ... noon today.

1. on
2. by
3. at
4. in

Which preposition is correct?
I finish school early ... Wednesdays

1. on
2. by
3. at
4. in

Which preposition is correct?
Mobile phones were invented ... the eighties

1. on
2. by
3. at
4. in

Which preposition is correct?
Don't be shy, you're ... friends here!

1. between
2. under
3. among
4. by

In het NL zou je zeggen: je bent onder vrienden 

In het Engels is de regel: 

tussen 2 is between

tussen meer is among

Which preposition is correct?
A large part of The Netherlands is ... sea level.

1. below
2. under
3. beyond
4. by

In het NL zou je zeggen: onder zee niveau

In het Engels is de regel: 

under = er is direct iets onder het object

The paper is hidden under the rock

below = onder in de zin van op een lager niveau.

Which preposition is correct?
She studies ... a famous university.

1. in
2. at
3. on
4. by

Buildings

in: wanneer je het hebt over het gebouw zelf

at:  wanneer je het hebt over de functie van het gebouw. 

      English writing

Formal vs. Informal writing

Learning Goals

In this lesson you are going to:

• Learn/Recap the difference between the Formal and Informal writing 
• Get tips when writing Informal and Formal 
• Practice for your exam with writing exercises 

What is the difference between Informal and Formal writing?

Formal 

• When writing to someone you do not know, a company or someone of status (like a manager). 
• Formal language use, such as: Dear Sir/Madam, Kind Regards, 
• Examples: cover letter (motivatiebrief), writing an e-mail to a company. 

Informal

• When writing to someone you know (friend, family member, acquaintance, etc.).
• Informal language use: Dear [name], Hello [name], Bye!, See you soon, Best wishes, 
• Examples: personal letter, a postcard. 

Formal writing

Opening phrases: 

- When you do not know the last name of the person you're writing to, use "Dear Sir/Madam,"

- When you know the last name of the person you're writing to, use "Dear Mister ...,  / Dear Mr. ...," for a man and "Dear Miss ...,/Dear Ms. ...," for a woman. 

Giving a reason for writing

After greeting the person you're writing to, you're going to explain why you're writing. For example, use:

I am writing .... (to ask you/to inform you/to respond to/ in response to, etc.)

I am writing in response to your job posting on LinkedIn.

Formal Writing

Closing phrases: 

- Kind Regards, 

- Yours Faithfully, 

- Sincerely, 

Personally, I always use "Kind Regards". It's easiest to try to memorize one option and use that one. 

Informal writing

Opening phrases:

- Dear ...,

- Hello ...,

- Hi ..., 

Closing phrases: 

- Best wishes, ... 

- Bye, ... 

- See you soon, ...

Start your letter/e-mail with sentences like: 

- How are you? I hope you're doing well. 

- It was great to see you last week. 

- Thank you for sending me an e-mail.

Test your knowledge: How do you open a formal letter when you don't know the last name of the person you're writing to?

1. Hello Sir/Madam,
2. Dear Sir/Madam,
3. Dear Mr. ... / Ms. ...
4. Hello Mister ... / Miss ...

Test your knowledge: How do you close an informal letter?

1. Kind Regards,
2. Yours Faithfully,
3. Sincerely,
4. Best wishes,

Test your knowledge: you're writing a formal letter. What do you do after writing "Dear Sir/Madam,"

1. You explain why you're writing (reason for writing)
2. You give the main information (body of the letter/e-mail)
3. You ask how they're doing
4. Nothing special

Test your knowledge: True or False - When writing a formal letter, it's best not to use abbreviations (afkortingen)

1. True
2. False

Test your knowledge: True or False - the tone of an informal letter is similar to the way you would speak to the person you're writing to.

1. True
2. False

Is it EVER okay to use abbreviations like "wanna", "gonna", "bc", "cause" and "u"?

1. YES! ALWAYS!
2. NO! NEVER!
3. Only when writing an informal letter/e-mail
4. Only when writing a formal letter/e-mail

WRITING ASSIGNMENT

Complete the writing assignment.

English Speaking: 

English conversation

Choose two photos from your phone that you feel comfortable sharing. 

These can be:

- A photo of a place you visited, a photo with friends or family, a photo of something funny, beautiful, or meaningful.

Prepare to talk about each photo for about 1–2 minutes. Use the guiding questions below to help you describe them.

Where and when was the photo taken? Who is in the photo? What is happening in the photo?

Why did you choose this photo? How does this photo make you feel?

Is there a story behind it?

Take turns showing your photos and answering the questions.

Your partner should ask follow-up questions in English (e.g., “What happened next?” or “How did you feel at that moment?”).

               English listening: 

No listening today!!!

       English reading: 

          English Music