You must answer this question. Your college has been asked to accept a group of 50 students from another country for two weeks. You have been asked by your principal to find out what the advantages and disadvantages would be of accepting this group. Is it a good idea? Write your report to the principal in 140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet. Sample answer: Report on Proposed Visit by 50 Overseas Students Introduction The purpose of this report is to consider the advantages and disadvantages of accepting a large group of students from overseas for two weeks. I have discussed the issue with all the senior members of college staff. You start with Paragraph 1- Introduction In the introduction you : – use headings – this makes it easier to find the main info – state the aim of the report and where you got/ collected the information – don’t begin with Dear Sir/ Madam – it’s not a letter Phrases you can use in the introduction: * This report is intended to show / discuss / outline … * The aim / purpose of this report is to … * In this report I will REMEMBER: It’s a formal piece of writing that means: use a formal, neutral style: no contractions, no colloquial language, no direct questions, no informal punctuation such as exclamation marks. Advantages All those I interviewed believe that for students this would be an exciting opportunity to explore a foreign culture, both in the classroom and socially. Overall, they thought the visit would be stimulating for the college at a quiet time of the year. In the 2nd Paragraph you : – balance the positive and negative points fairly – you can use numbering or bullet points to highlight main points – use a range of specific vocabulary or set phrases e.g. Some thought this was …../ other students said they preferred… – don’t use a lot of adjectives and dramatic language. A report gives factual information Phrases you can use to in the 2nd and 3rd paragraph: Suggesting additional ideas Another option would be to … I would also suggest … Another point to consider is that … Alternatively…. Moreover. / Furthermore. Apart from this / In addition to this Making recommendations I would strongly / highly recommend … My first / second recommendation would be to .. It would be (highly) advisable to … If my recommendations are followed, then … The best solution / ideas would seem to be … Listing ideas I would suggest the following: … might like to consider the following: The following are highly recommended: 1….. OR 2. ………. They gave/ suggested the following reasons: They made the following points: 1….2… Reporting findings It appears that the majority of … The only problem is that … . Most …(students seem) … . Not surprisingly, … According to … Disadvantages Some members of staff are concerned that: 1 there would be insufficient seating in the library at bus times; 2 the visitors might be more interested in enjoying themselves than studying; 3 the restaurant queue would be very slow at lunchtime. In the 3rd Paragraph you : – balance the positive and negative points fairly – use a range of specific vocabulary or set phrases e.g. Some thought this was …../ other students said they preferred…
Conclusion and recommendation
Clearly, the group might cause some practical difficulties but on the whole everyone thought that the visit should seen as an opportunity not to be missed. In the last paragraph you : – give the recommendations – generalise – express opinions impersonally Phrases you can use to end the letter Concluding and making recommendations All things considered, … We have no hesitation in recommending… . Here’s the next task you can do: Your teacher wants to recommend a television programme for students who are learning your language. Write a report on a television programme which you know well, saying why you think it would be helpful and interesting for foreign learners. Write your report in 140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet. Points to remember: Organise your ideas into a clear report: either rely on paragraphing or use subheadings (or both). Briefly introduce the programme, include its title and say what it is about. Mention a few things about the programme that support your recommendation from the foreign learner’s point of view.