Writing letters

The pre-intermediate /PET preparation students were assigned the task of writing a letter to an editor of a newspaper saying why they wanted to win a competition for a weekend trip to the UK. Here is what some of the students wrote:

Dear Editor,

I would like to enter this competition.

I've been learning English for about seven years because I like learning this language. It helps a lot in life, for example; in work and in communicating with people.

I have visited a lot of countries like England, France, Germany and Italy, and if I win I will take my sister with me.

I want to win the weekend because I want to have fun and I'd like to stay at the hotel because they have got a nice breakfast and dinner and I can visit the famous northern market adn shop bargains.

At last, thank you for giving us a chance to practice our language.

Yours sincerely,
Esra Elsarraj

Dear Editor of the Times Magazine,

I have been learning English for five years, first of all my parents want me to learn English; thinking about my future they wanted me to have a third language. I can speak Arabic and Portuguese. English is an international language and beginning to study younger would help me to be more fluent.

I've visited some countries like Brazil, Italy, Tunisia and Spain with my family but if I win this weekend I'll take my dad with me.

I really want to win this weekend because I want to practise English in it's mother land.

Eman

Dear Editor,

I have been learning English for over six months and my language is better than before.

I am learning English to get a better job and improve my language, your organising a competition is helping me to learn English in a specific way, especially if I win I would like to visit other countries especially in Europe and take a friend with me for fun.

I hope to win the competition to visit Liverpool and make conversation with people who speak English very well.

Your faithfully,

Isam Ben Shaban

A class survey

The B3 students have been taking surveys. Here is what they found out about their classmates:

The majority of the people in this class don't speak other anguages and most of them want to learn Italian and French. - Mahmud Sami

Quite a few people in this class are studying English to find a good job, another few people in this class are studying English because they like it and other people in class have a different purpose. About half the people in this class watch BBC news in English. About half the people in this class listen to English music. - Sarah

Everybody here spoke with Thureyah (the secretary) when they came to register for the course. Most people in this class said the assessment test was difficult. Most people said they are studying English because it is very important for their job. - Tawfik

The majority of people in this class never failed a test. The majority of people in this class feel good when they pass a test. About half of the people in this class like to do homework. Only two people in this class don't like to do homework. - Mohamed Amer Koni

About half the people in this class like maths. About half the people in this class like to do homework. Two people in this class don't like to do homework. Most people in this class do homework for an hour every day. About half the people say science subjects are their favourite. - Mohamed Jebril

Most people in this class are studying English to get a job and for work.
Most people in this class like reading because it is easier than writing.
Most people in this class like speaking because it is easier than dictation. - Adel Ali

A spelling test!

A spelling test! Click on the picture above or on this link: http://www.sentex.net/~mmcadams/spelling.html

What do the beginner students say?

• I live in a flat. I live with my family. In the evening I go to the beach. - Omima Elmabruk

• My favourite food is pizza and salad. I drink tea every day. - Tasnem

• I live in a house. I live with my parents. In the evening I go shopping. - Emhmed

• In the morning I go to work. I eat a sandwich or toast for breakfast. - Wesam Ali

• I like to play football at the weekend. In the evening I watch TV. - Abdulsattar Elwefty

• I drink milk everyday. My favourite food is pizza. - Ahmed Muftah Zargoun

• In the morning I get up at ten o'clock. In the evening I watch TV. - Sara Mustafa Bader

• I listen to music and watch TV at the weekend. In the evening I watch TV and drink a cup of tea. - Elham Elwefati

• I drink orange juice every day. I eat pizza for breakfast. - Eslam

• I like to go swimming at the weekend. In the morning I go to school. - Samar

• My favourite food is pizza. I drink coca-cola everyday. - Fatih

• I like to play football at the weekend. In the evening I play tennis. - Abedalghany

• I like to go to the farm at the weekend. In the evening I go to the mosque. - Abdulwaret

• I like to go swimming at the beach at the weekend. I like swimming. - Hajar

• In the evening I watch TV and listen to music. I like to play football and swimming at the weekend. - Esrea Taher Balhaj

Honeymoon Holiday

First, there is no girl that doesn't dream about her wedding dress, her wedding and her honeymoon. But as I said this is just a dream, nobody knows if it will come true or not. However, it doesn't hurt if we dream.

So, if I have a honeymoon holiday where would I spend it? . . . I think I'll decide depending on the time of year that I'll have it. What I mean, if my honeymoon was in the summer and spring time I would like to spend it in Spain, exactly in the countryside of it.

I've visited Spain and it's a lovely country and I think I fell in love with it's old cities with their narrow blocks, red roses on the windows and balconies, the street markets where the local people and farmers sell their goods and their special foods. The weather is very nice, with fresh air, plenty of sun, the silence makes you feel relaxed, the views of the sea from Gibraltar are unbelievable.

Maybe because I still have these sweet memories about Spain that I always dream that I'll spend my honeymoon there and in the early morning we'll walk on the beach and watch the sunrise after that doing some sightseeing because these cities have very traditional and old Islamic buildings. Maybe we'll have lunch outdoors. At night I'll dress in my party clothes (with a scarf) and have dinner at one of the old restaurants there and listen to the Spanish guitar.

But if my honeymoon is in winter or autumn I'll spend it on the Alps, the mountains of Italy. The weather there is so cold and I think we'll spend most of the time in the cabin near the fireplace and drink hot chocolate. Very romantic, isn't it?

But in the real world I think I won't go anywhere. That is OK if the man who I marry is my soulmate. In this case, nothing more will be important.

Sara
Preparation for FCE

Dream Holiday

If I was given the freedom to choose a place to spend my holiday in, I'll choose Hawaii. Please don't ask me why, because I'm very shy.

Actually, I've seen many pictures and documentary programmes about Hawaii where the sky is clear and the mountains are high.

The Hawaiian islands are a chain of volcanic islands located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and are part of the United States of America where it's the fiftieth state, that was the geographical definition, but in fact the real definition is paradise and it's not an exaggerated word. So can you imagine it's extended white beaches, the clear sea water and the wonderful palm trees? Imagine yourself there sleeping on a sunbed, drinking a cocktail of juices and relaxing. And there are beautiful girls like angels in your service.

At night you go to the hotel where there's a party and local dancers dance, with unique moves, wearing clothes covered with flowers. When dawn comes you go up to the mountain tops to observe the sun rising from the sea, it's a nice view and more beautiful than the sunset, I think.

It's like paradise, isn't it?

Mohammed Krefa
Preparation for FCE

To Yethreb School's teachers:

I always say to myself that there's no teacher in this world who does her job well. No one is kind and understanding. But here in this school with you Mrs. Alea, Mrs. Khadija and the others, you made me change my opinion.

I think your teaching style is perfect, especially the way you distribute the lesson period over different topics.

So. . . I would like to thank you.

Aimen Rashed
B3

Miss Nora's been extremely helpful with the courses at Yethreb School this summer. She's been an assistant for the B-zero group and has also been helping Miss Thureyah in the office too. Nora is studying English at high school and hopes to study English at university in two years. She's currently enrolled in our First Certificate English preparation course. Many thanks Nora and good luck in your studies!

Aimen from the B3 class brought a surprise for Mrs Alea and his classmates. He made a peach tart! It was yummy! Thanks Aimen!

IELTS - Reading and Writing Tips

For some useful tips and ideas to help you prepare for IELTS Reading and Writing you can download these files:

• IELTS Reading Tips

• IELTS Writing Tips

To read these files you need to have an Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you don't have that you can get it here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

A message for Mrs Alea

The students and staff at Yethreb School would like to wish 'GOOD LUCK' to Mrs. Alea.

We all hope you'll do well on your exams and we're looking forward to you coming home soon!

Listening for TOEFL, TOEIC and IELTS

These listening activities are designed to help students learn academic English and prepare for tests such as the TOEFL, TOEIC, and IELTS. Each clip has six news stories. The listener can read the questions for each story before starting the audio. Then the listener will hear a short news story followed by a question. If answered correctly, the listener can go to the next story.

Click on the image above to visit the site, or click on this link: http://www.elllo.org/news/study_page1.htm

Listening Activities

In these listening activities, six different speakers answer the same question. In the flash activities, there are two questions that follow each speaker's audio.

These listening exercises are useful for students that are hoping to take PET, FCE and IELTS exams.

Click on the image above to visit the site or on this link: http://www.elllo.org/00MXText/00-MixerIndex.htm

Dear Ahmad,

I live in a dormitory in Al-Fatha University. For five years I have lived there. I live in my room alone but I have many friends who live near me. Everyday I meet them and we talk about different subjects, drink coffee or tea and make dinner. I enjoy my time with them because they are good friends.

Every weekend I go to visit my family in Zliten. My father and my mother do the same job. They are both teachers.

I graduated about three months ago. I'm looking for a job now. I want to work in an oil company. (I wish that).

At the moment I'm learning English language because I need it to get a good job.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Write soon,

Hassam Ben Halim
Pre-intermediate

Dear Luke,

Hello my name is Jasmin. I'm 15 and I live in Tripoli, Libya. I'm currently on my summer holiday from school.

Just recently I had my results and I passed so hopefully next year will be my new school year.

I live in north Africa, in Tripoli, Libya with my family. I've got three brothers, two are older than me and one is younger.

I'm a student at secondary school. I love biology and physics. What do you like? Well, I hope it's the same subjects.

My hobbies are watching TV, doing art stuff and listening to music. I like listening to Oasis and Avril Lavigne. The reason why I listen to them is because they play the guitar which I hope I will play someday - if my mom gets me one.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? What are your favourite subjects? Who do you live with? Would you like to visit Libya?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Jasmin Ahtash
Pre-intermediate

Dear Yusef,

I am very happy that we're going to be pen friends.

I'll tell you about myself and you can do the same when you write to me.

I live in an area of Tripoli called Jama Al Saga. I live with my parents and my two sisters. They are younger than me and their names are Nessreen and Maram. My father is an engineer, he works in an Electric Company and my mother is a housewife.

I'm a student in high school in the fourth year. I like sorts like Taekwon do. In the morning I go to the club where I can learn the arts of this sport. Sometimes I visit my friends.

I'm looking forward to hearing about you.

Best wishes,

Anas
Pre-intermediate

Dear Enas,

I'm very happy that we're going to be friends. I'll tell you a little about me and I hope you'll write back and tell me something about yourself too.

I live in an area in Tripoli called Ain Zara. It's far away from the centre and there are so many farms in the area.

I live with my paernets and my three younger sisters and one brother. My father is a translator and my mother has a part-time job as a dentist.

I am studying at Takadum School and I have a lot of friends. I like most subjects but not all. I'm playing sport now; volleyball and swimming. I play music.

I miss you very much and I hope to recieve your letter soon.

Best wishes,

Iman Ibrahim
Pre-intermediate

Dear Hedaya,

How are you? I'm glad that I'm writing to you and I hope we can improve our friendship. In this letter I'll tell you a little about myself.

I live in Tripoli with my family. My parents are both doctors and my eldest sister is also a doctor.

I'm a student in the secondary school.

I like listeing to music and doing excercises and going shopping. I'm interested in books and fashion. Now I'm joining English classes.

Please try to write to me as soon as possible.

Lots of love,

Essra ElSarraj
Pre-intermediate

Dear Ali,

I am very happy that we are still friends. I will tell you a little about myself and you can do the same when you write to me.

I still live at the same place in Benashur Street with my parents, two sisters and two brothers. My older brother Azzam has been married for one year.

These days I have lessons in English at Yethreb School. I go there three times a week, I am really interested in it. My teacher is an English woman, she has been living in Libya for 35 years. She helps me and other students to learn English. My friend, you know how important English language is?

I am working as a receptionist at a private clinic. I earn ... from my job. I spend the money that I earn on basic things.

Write to me soon,

Anas Ben Barka
Pre-intermediate

Congratulations to Zahra Abudhir for passing KET (Cambridge Key English Test).
Zahra passed with merit!
Good job Zahra!