4C Develop your written mediation skills

Output write an email to a friend

Goal summarise and pass on relevant information from a written text
Focus select specific, relevant information in a written text

CEFR descriptor
Can relay specific, relevant information contained in straightforward informational written texts on familiar
subjects.

Timing: Approximately 45 minutes

Teacher’s notes

Introduction
The goal of this lesson is for students to summarise and pass on relevant information from a written text in
writing. To help them achieve this they will focus on selecting the specific relevant information.

If using an interlingual approach, we suggest doing this activity independently or before the ‘Develop your
reading’ on page 97 of Roadmap B1 Students’ Book. If using an intralingual approach we suggest doing the
activity after the reading activity on page 97. Alternatively, students can do the writing individually as
homework.

Warm-up
● Ask students to discuss the questions: Have you ever looked for a job? What’s your dream job? What
qualities or skills do you need for your dream job?

● Discuss: Have students ever suggested a job to someone? What kind of things have they considered
before making a suggestion?

Prepare
1 Give students the Activity and assign them to A or B. Ask them to read the scenario. What do they
know about Maria or Sebastian?
2 Students read the Focus box: Selecting relevant information then write down three or four headings
or questions to help them find the relevant information.
3 Students read the whole text quickly and underline sentences that answer the questions or are
connected to the headings.
4 Students work in groups of 3 or 4, with each group assigned to A or B, and compare and agree on the
most important information in the text.
Mediate
1 Students work in groups to write one email per group. Allow 15 minutes for this.
2 Groups exchange their work and compare the information selected from the text and the emails
they have written.
3 Do students agree with the jobs suggested for Maria or Sebastian?

Discussion
1 Groups justify with information from the text the jobs they suggested and why.
2 Whole class: discuss the information and the work the students have produced using the Evaluation
notes on page 00 as a guide.
Follow up
● Before checking students’ work, ask for the relevant information from the text and hold a
competition to reward the group who identified the most main points.
● Students evaluate their own and other groups’ writing using the examples on page 00.

Evaluation
● Student A should explain and give Maria advice about working as a cinematographer or a producer.
Student B should suggest to Sebastian that he could be a good director or costume designer.
● Students should justify their answers with reference to specific details provided about Maria or
Sebastian and with specific information from the text.
● The information in the students’emails will vary depending on whether they were assigned A or B.
Students should explain why they suggested certain jobs and not others.
● The following examples show the kind of student output that can be expected. These could also be
used in peer evaluation if desired.
● If you used an interlingual approach you would expect the student to translate or paraphrase ideas
adequately for a learner at this level.
● You can also apply evaluation criteria for writing (paragraphing, spelling, range and accuracy of
language, etc.) if you choose. See page 00 for suggested criteria.

Examples of student emails

Marks awarded are based on the criteria in the rubric on page 00.
Student A Teacher’s comments
A good example relaying specific
Dear Maria information from the text eg
I have some ideas about jobs you could do in the movies cinematographer in charge of
after you graduate. You might want to be a photography and lighting, and
Cinematographer. That’s the person who is in charge of also a good attempt at
Sphotography and lighting. This is very techinical so I think
summarising key points from the
you would enjoy it. But you might also like to be a Producer text. Well structured and
because they get money to make the film and work with includes selected information
people behind the scenes. They have to make sure there which is specific to Maria.
are no problems making the film. I’m sure you would be
excellent at these jobs.
Good luck! Marks: 2.5/3
Auntie Muriel

Student B Teacher’s comments

Dear Sebastian The student has attempted to
The Oscars are very important. There are a lot of people summarise but the
behind the scenes. I think a Costume Designer is a good job information selected is not
for you because you like history and things like that, right? relevant. Needs to include
Or maybe you could be a Producer because I think they more specific information from
make a lot of money. the text to justify job
Good luck! suggestions for Sebastian.
Muriel
Marks: 1/3
4C Develop your written mediation skills Spanish

[Objectives box]
Output write an email to a friend
Goal summarise and pass on relevant information from a written text
Focus select specific, relevant information in a written text

[Opener questions]
1
a Have you ever looked for a job? What’s your dream job? What qualities or skills do you need for your
dream job?

b Have you ever suggested a job to someone? What kind of things have you considered before making a
suggestion?

[Getting into the task:]

2 Read the scenario about Maria (Student A) or Sebastian (Student B).
a Who is Maria/Sebastian?
b What is her/his goal?
c How do you plan to help Maria/Sebastian?

[Introduce the Focus box + task]

3 Read the Focus box. What do you need to know or think about before selecting relevant information from
a text?

[Focus box styling]

Selecting relevant information
When we summarise a text, we need to understand both the text, and why we are summarising it. Before
you read the text, think about who will be reading it. What exactly are they interested in or trying to resolve?

You could prepare by writing down some questions or headings. Then read the whole text quickly and
underline sentences that answer the questions or are connected to the headings.

Read the text again and write key words next to your questions or headings to help you organise the
information.

Finally, think about the kind of language you need for your summary. Who will read it? Will you use formal
or informal language? How will you start and finish?

[Some kind of activity to focus on the sub-skill]

4 Read the scenario about Maria or Sebastian again and write three or four questions or headings to help
you find the relevant information.

Prepare
5 You are going to work in groups to write an email to Maria or Sebastian.
a Read the text ‘The stars behind the Scenes’ again and note down the key points under each of the
headings you have made.
b Make notes on how you will start your email, and how you will end it.
Mediate
6
a In groups, write an email to Maria or Sebastian. Use your notes to help you.
b Exchange your email with another group and compare your email with theirs. Have they selected the same
information from the text?
c Do you agree with the jobs suggested for Maria or Sebastian?

Student A
Your niece Maria is studying business and economics at university and is interested in working in the film
industry. She doesn’t like acting but she is keen on films and is very organised and good with technology. You
have read the following article and, knowing Maria as well as you do, you decide to write her an email (80-
100 words) suggesting some jobs she could be good at in the film industry. What are the most suitable jobs
for her and why?

Student B
Your friend Sebastian works in fashion. He has recently lost his job and is looking for a new one. He likes
history, is quite assertive, good at understanding people and has a lot of creativity and imagination. You have
read the following article and, knowing Sebastian as well as you do, you decide to write him an email (80-100
words) suggesting some jobs he could be good at in the film industry. What are the most suitable jobs for
him and why?

LAS ESTRELLAS DETRÁS DE LA CÁMARA

Cuando una película tiene éxito, suelen ser los actores los que se llevan toda la atención de los medios de
comunicación, pero en los premios Oscars esto es diferente. Los actores son sólo una parte de todo lo que
hace que una película tenga éxito. Detrás de la cámara hay un equipo muy trabajador que lo hace Son tan
importantes como las grandes estrellas y los Óscar reconocen a muchas de estas personas que
normalmente nunca tenemos en cuenta.

Una de las personas más importantes detrás de los focos es el director. Su trabajo es dar instrucciones a los
actores y al resto del mundo. Sin embargo, un director no trabaja solo. Él o ella necesita trabajar en estrecha
colaboración con muchas otras personas que están detrás de la cámara.

Todas las películas necesitan una buena fotografía que ayude a desarrollar la historia. El director de
fotografía es la persona que se encarga de de rodar la película. Él o ella se asegura de que la fotografía
apoye la historia. El director de fotografía tiene muchas responsabilidades y lidera los equipos encargados de
la iluminación y de las cámaras fotográficas.

Otra persona fundamental de la que a menudo nos olvidamos es el diseñador de vestuario - la persona que
diseña lo que llevan los actores. El diseñador de vestuario necesita entender exactamente lo que el director
quiere y diseñar la ropa más adecuada. El diseñador de vestuario necesita entender exactamente lo que el
director quiere y diseñar la ropa más adecuada. Los trajes tienen que ser cómodos para que los actores
pueden moverse fácilmente, pero al mismo tiempo necesitan que coincidan con los personajes que
interpretan los actores. Es un trabajo que requiere imaginación, investigación ¡y hay que saber cómo hacer
las cosas!

Podría decirse que la persona más importante en la creación de una película es el productor. Sin un
productor ¡no habría ninguna película! El productor guía la película a través de todas sus etapas. Él o ella
encuentra el dinero para financiar toda la película y también trabaja de cerca con muchas otras personas
detrás de la cámara. Durante todo el proceso de filmación, es trabajo del productor asegurarse que todo
salga bien.
4C Develop your written mediation skills English

[Objectives box]
Output write an email to a friend
Goal summarise and pass on relevant information from a written text
Focus select specific, relevant information in a written text

[Opener questions]
1
a Have you ever looked for a job? What’s your dream job? What qualities or skills do you need for your
dream job?

b Have you ever suggested a job to someone? What kind of things have you considered before making a
suggestion?

2 Read the scenario about Maria (Student A) or Sebastian (Student B).

a Who is Maria/Sebastian?
b What is her/his goal?
c How do you plan to help Maria/Sebastian?

[Introduce the Focus box + task]

3 Read the Focus box. What do you need to know or think about before selecting relevant information from
a text?

[Focus box styling]

Selecting relevant information
When we summarise a text, we need to understand both the text, and why we are summarising it. Before
you read the text, think about who will be reading it. What exactly are they interested in or trying to resolve?

You could prepare by writing down some questions or headings. Then read the whole text quickly and
underline sentences that answer the questions or are connected to the headings.

Read the text again and write key words next to your questions or headings to help you organise the
information.

Finally, think about the kind of language you need for your summary. Who will read it? Will you use formal
or informal language? How will you start and finish?

[Some kind of activity to focus on the sub-skill]

4 Read the scenario about Maria or Sebastian again and write three or four questions or headings to help
you find the relevant information.

Prepare
5 You are going to work in groups to write an email to Maria or Sebastian.
a Read the text ‘The stars behind the Scenes’ again and note down the key points under each of the
headings you have made.
b Make notes on how you will start your email, and how you will end it.
Mediate
6
a In groups, write an email to Maria or Sebastian. Use your notes to help you.
b Exchange your email with another group and compare your email with theirs. Have they selected the same
information from the text?
c Do you agree with the jobs suggested for Maria or Sebastian?

Student A
Your niece Maria is studying business and economics at university and is interested in working in the film
industry. She doesn’t like acting but she is keen on films and is very organised and good with technology. You
have read the following article and, knowing Maria as well as you do, you decide to write her an email (80-
100 words) suggesting some jobs she could be good at in the film industry. What are the most suitable jobs
for her and why?

Student B
Your friend Sebastian works in fashion. He has recently lost his job and is looking for a new one. He likes
history, is quite assertive, good at understanding people and has a lot of creativity and imagination. You have
read the following article and, knowing Sebastian as well as you do, you decide to write him an email (80-100
words) suggesting some jobs he could be good at in the film industry. What are the most suitable jobs for
him and why?

The stars behind the scenes