LUMIERE ENGLISH ACADEMY;; DISTANCE TEACHING COURSE - LESSON 7; HOW TO WRITE HELPFUL NOTES

LUMIERE ENGLISH ACADEMY

DISTANCE TEACHING COURSE - LESSON 7

HOW TO WRITE HELPFUL NOTES

a)

Plumbers

Key at no 6 >

b)

Plumbers

Key in flower pot

c)

Plumbers

Back in 15 mins

d)

Plumbers

Had to go out.

Please come back tomorrow

This exercise is helpful in encouraging your student to explore ways to communicate well using helpful notes.
The student is to read the above four notes; and thereafter to answer the following reading comprehension questions.

A True/ False/ Maybe
1. Plumbers are coming to mend the pipes
2. The person in the house is out
3. The door is unlocked
4. No 6 is to the left
5. All the notes could alert a burglar

B What do you think?
1. Which notes let the plumbers get into the house at once?
2. Which note means that Plumber will not get in today?
3. Which note shows that you trust your neighbours?
4. Which note - if any - would you leave on your door?
5. Which note means that the plumbers will have to wait in order to get into your house?
6. Which note is the best one for a burglar to see?

Answer Key;
A
1. True
2. True
3. False
4. False. The arrow sign shows that the house at No 6 is to the right
5. True. The notes could certainly all alert a burglar that your house is unattended and easy to break into

B
1. Notes a) and b)
2. Note d)
3. Note a)
4. I would not leave any note on my door; as it would be an open invitation for my house to be burgled. I would choose to ring the plumbers and give them the message telephonically
5. Note c) and d). Note c) makes it clear that you will be back at the house in 15 minutes. It also makes it clear to burglars that they have some minutes to ransack your house. 
Note d) makes it clear that the plumbers will have to wait until the next day to get in to your house.
6. Note b). All the burglar has to do is to check in the flower pot, remove your key and enter your house.

Conclusion
Sometimes we are unable to give a message in person. 
  Part of good English communication skills is to learn how to give a message safely and well. 
  Written notes, emails, text messages and telephone calls are all ways of giving messages. 
  The student who is able to read and write well is able to live life safely. 

In Case of Fire
  An example of this is if there is a fire; in order to tell the fire brigade where the fire is, it is helpful to be able to read competently and well. 
  If you can read the name of the road, and the number of the house, you can immediately give accurate information which can save lives and property.

Communication during Illness 
 Another example of good communication by message is the case of illness. 
  Perhaps a loved one is seriously ill and asking to see a family member. 
  Sending a letter, email, text, or communicating by telephone ensures the family member receives the message promptly.

Reading Doctor's Prescription 
 Another example is that of reading a prescription. 
  If the doctor has asked you to take a dose of medicine, it is essential to know whether he or she has written a teaspoon or 5 ml of medicine - or whether he or she has written 15 ml of medicine to be taken.
  The correct dosage is safety in treatment.

English and Quality of Life

  So it is clear to the discerning tutor that messages and the art of literacy are essential for the student to increase his or her quality of life, and ensure safety and improved and informed quality of choices.

Catherine Nicolette Whittle
Diploma TESOL and EDI Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English
London Teacher's Training College England