Imagine you work for a magazine which has a regular ‘Real Lives’ feature. You have been asked to write an article about someone who has overcome obstacles (discrimination, or physical, mental, financial, emotional issues, etc.) in their life.

Learning outcomes:

• Improve your English by using it in a realistic project on the topic of achievement

• Develop your writing skills

1. Think about people you know who have overcome obstacles in their life and about the types of issues they faced. You could also research real life stories online. Get ideas about how to write and format your article.

2. Choose a particular person, or, type of issue that you want to focus on. You can write your profile about a real person – a friend or famous person – or invent a character. Makes notes about when the issue first started for them, when it became most difficult, and how they overcame the problem.

3. Research emotive language here and here. We use emotive language to add power to our descriptions and make the reader have an emotional response to the article. Note down any words and phrases you could use in the article, including as quotes from the person or people connected to them.

4. Now plan your article. You can use this structure to help you:

• Title and Introduction: these should engage the reader by asking a rhetorical question, appealing to their emotions or making a dramatic statement.

• Main body: these will normally be in chronological order starting when the issue first began or the person became aware of it.

• Conclusion: to finish you could summarize the person's story, talk about what can or should be done to avoid such issues happening to others, or include a thankful or hopeful message about the person’s future. The ending could be done in your own words or as a quote from the person.

5. Now write your article.

   
   

6. When you have written your article, check it for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Email it to me: lucy.phillips@ef.com

Learning outcomes:

• Improve your English by using it in a realistic task on the topic of volunteering.

• Practise your research skills in English.

• Develop your creativity and written communication skills.

You will be assessed on:

• Organization and format: Are your ideas well structured? Is the format suitable?

• Content: Do you have good and interesting ideas? Are they well chosen and researched?

• Language: Have you used language related to volunteering correctly? Is your grammar, punctuation, and spelling correct? Is your writing style and tone suitable?

1.

Research examples of listicles online and make notes. You can find information about what they are and how to write them here or here.

2.

Decide whether you will focus on local volunteering opportunities or international ones. Write notes on tips and suggestions you find useful and helpful. You can google ‘local volunteering opportunities’ or ‘global volunteering opportunities’, or, in the UK and the US, you can check here and here. Check here and here for international opportunities.

Some questions and focus topics you might want to consider:

• What are you most interested in—helping people (children, seniors, etc.) or working on projects (like Habitat for Humanity, for example)?

• What will be of most interest to fellow classmates?

• Do you enjoy tutoring and teaching?

• What about community gardening or similar?

• What about food services (making care packages, helping in soup kitchens, etc.)?

• Have you any more ideas of your own?

3.

Plan your listicle. Decide whether you want to address local or global volunteering. Aim to write about between five and ten suggestions. Try to include a variety of examples. Then, decide in which order you want to discuss them. You can choose whether to include photos or graphics. If you want to use images, you can find some ++here++.

4.

Write or design your listicle using software of your choice. Remember to give each suggestion a number, a title, and to write at least one paragraph explaining in more detail. You should also write a brief introduction to the listicle, including explaining the benefits of volunteering.

5.

When you have finished your listicle, check through it to make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes, then email it to daniel.king@ef.com

Here is your question to work on:

Your town has been shortlisted to host a major international festival of folk music and dance next year.

You have been asked to write a proposal for the festival organizers, stating why your town should be chosen. You need to include relevant information about accommodation, transport, concert venues and other leisure and entertainment possibilities.

Write your proposal using 220-260 words

Remember:

• Use headings and think about organization.

• Your proposal should be formal/businesslike. No contractions!

• You can write about your town in your own country or a fictional town.

Email your proposal to daniel.king@ef.com before 5pm today.

Unit 3 - On Screen.

I want you to tell me about your favourite film - but go into as much depth as possible.

In Unit 3 we are discussing Movies and TV Shows, their influence on society and how they shape culture values. This is your chance to play the role of a film critic - and start analysing!

Learning Outcomes:

• Improve your English by analysing and reviewing a film in depth.

• Practice your research and critical thinking skills.

• Develop your creativity and written communication skills.

Grading:

• Language - How many mistakes have you made? Have you used a wide range of vocabulary and phrases? Is your grammar correct? I recommend reading over your review to check after finishing it.

• Content - What are your ideas like? Have you included everything I have asked for? Is the writing well researched?

• Presentation - Are your ideas well structured? Is it a suitable format? Have you included pictures to go with your writing?

1. Imagine you are a film critic. Tell me what is so great about the film and what you love about it - don't just say 'because it's funny' or 'because it's exciting. Use your incredible C1 brains to write an in-depth and intriguing review.

2. Please choose a film from the UK/USA - if you need to watch one feel free to ask me for recommendations!

3. Please include information about the actors, the director, the cinematography, where it is set. Is there any deeper message than what you just see on screen?

4. How has this film been received worldwide? Has it had an impact on society? Has it had any impact on our culture?

5. Remember you will be graded on presentation as well, not just content - so be creative! Feel free to add photos and colour to your review.

6. Check your mistakes!

7. Once you have completed, please email your work to me at tom.lemonde@ef.com

   
   

1.

Do you know any unusual hobbies? Brainstorm ideas and write them down. Search online to find other unusual hobbies. Make a list. Have a look at these websites for more ideas:

• List of hobbies

• Lifehack

​

2.

Choose at least five unusual hobbies from your list to write about in your blog post. Make sure you choose hobbies that sound particularly fun or interesting.

3.

Research each of the hobbies further. For each hobby, make notes on the following:

• Why you chose it

• Describe the hobby

• What equipment you need to do the hobby

• Whether you do the hobby indoors or outdoors or both

• Whether you do the hobby alone or with other people

• Why you think the hobby is worth trying

4.

Start writing up your blog post. You can use Google Docs for this or other software like Wordpress.

Use the following structure to organize your blog post:

• Introduction

• Hobby 1

• Hobby 2

• Hobby 3

• Hobby 4

• Hobby 5

• Conclusion

5.

Read through and check the first draft of your blog post. Is the tone and style OK for a blog post? Will it get your readers interested? Try these tips:

• Use a memorable / fun title and subtitles

• Ask the reader questions to get their interest, e.g. Why not give it a try? Have you ever thought about … ?

• Use an informal style, e.g. You should definitely check it out. It may sound nuts, but …

6.

When you have finished writing your blog post, check through it once more to make sure your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct.

7.

Finally, add some photos to to make your post look great. Use your own photos or search for some here.

8.

Save your blog post. Then email it to me - charlotte.wright@ef.com by the end of Wednesday. Please note - I will not mark assignments that are written using AI

Choose a particular person, or, type of issue that you want to focus on. You can write your profile about a real person – a friend or famous person – or invent a character.

Now plan your article. You can use this structure to help you:

• Title and Introduction: these should engage the reader by asking a rhetorical question, appealing to their emotions or making a dramatic statement.

• Main body: these will normally be in chronological order starting when the issue first began or the person became aware of it.

• Conclusion: to finish you could summarize the person's story, talk about what can or should be done to avoid such issues happening to others, or include a thankful or hopeful message about the person’s future. The ending could be done in your own words or as a quote from the person.

Now write your article.

When you have written your article, check it for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Send it to my email. nicky.venables@ef.com

Your article must include:

• A title that catches the reader’s attention

• An introduction explaining the tradition or festival

• A main body describing:

  • Its history or origin

  • Key activities, rituals, or customs

  • Who celebrates it and why

  • Interesting facts or cultural meaning

• A conclusion giving your opinion on why this tradition or festival is important today

Language requirements:

• Use clear paragraphs

• Use linking words (however, although, firstly, finally, in addition, etc.)

• Use formal or semi‑formal language

• Check grammar, spelling, and punctuation before posting.

  When you have finished send it to me: nicky.venables@ef.com

Learning outcomes:

• Improve your English by using it in a realistic task on the topic of towns and cities

• Practise your research skills in English

• Develop your problem-solving and written communication skills

You will be graded on:

• Organization and format: Are your ideas well structured? Are they organized logically? Is the format suitable?

• Content: Do you have good and interesting ideas? Are they well researched and chosen?

• Language: Have you used the language related to the topic of towns and cities? Is your grammar, punctuation, and spelling correct? How is your writing style and tone?

​

1.

Watch this video. What are the six elements that make a town or a city attractive? Write them down.

2.

Think about your own town. Which areas need improvement? Make some notes. Use Google Maps to look at different areas of your town in satellite or street view mode to help you.

3.

Do you have any other ideas about what could be better in your town? Think about …

• quality of life

• traffic and public transport

• arts & culture

• green areas

• pollution

Make notes.

4.

Use all your notes to start writing your proposal. Choose at least three suggestions for ways to improve your town. For each suggestion say …

• what is not good in your town currently

• how you could improve it

• what would the advantages be of improving it in this way

5.

Write an introduction for your proposal giving the reason for it. Write a conclusion at the end explaining the results if all your suggestions were carried out.

6.

Read through and check the first draft of your blog post. Is the tone and style OK for a proposal? Here are some tips:

• Use formal language

• Be factual

• Write clearly

• Do not use contractions, e.g. can't, isn't

7.

When you have finished writing your proposal, check through it one more time to make sure your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct.

8.

Save your proposal. Then upload it here or share a link and click submit. Be prepared to share and discuss it in class.

Email your work to me. My email address is jo.jo.adusei.poku@ef.com

Thank you