Connectors

Connectors of addition and connectors of contrast

Choose the correct connector

Tip: Each sentence contains two ideas. Do these ideas contrast? Or do they add information? 

a) Lorena seems to be quite clever. ___, she often gets low marks. 

nevertheless / furthermore

b) The service at this restaurant is excellent. ___, the food is delicious. 
however / in addition

c) I've never been to Argentina, ___ having relatives there. 
as well as / despite

d) Jordi is a careful driver. ___, he's had several accidents. 
moreover / however

e) Laura loves playing basketball, ___ she's not very good at it. 
and / but 

f) Anna is talented at music ___ art. 
as well as / in spite of

Reminder
Connectors of addition: in addition, furthermore, moreover, as well as, also, and
Connectors of contrast: however, nevertheless, on the one hand / on the other hand, in spite of / despite, although /even though, but

More extra practice U6 GAD

This is some voluntary work for students in GAD: 

1. Write questions with the words below. Use the Past Simple to make questions.

a. you / go / to the post office / last week?

 - Did you go to the post office last week?

b. your family / receive / a package / last month?

c. your address / change / last year?

d. you / use / a printer / yesterday afternoon?

e. a friend / call / you / a few minutes ago?

f. your teacher / give / you / homework / yesterday?


2. Complete the sentences with the verbs below. Use the Past Simple.

read - go - wrap - not understand - order - not move - reach- not buy 

a. They ___ into their new offices last week. They are still in Tres Cantos.

b. ___ you ___ the office supplies yesterday? 

c. She ___ to the post office but she ___ any pre-stamped envelopes.

d. ___ you ___ the equipment in bubble wrap?

e. I ___ your email but I ___ all the details. 

f. When ___ the package ___ its destination? 

Useful Vocabulary for Complaint Letters

Greeting receipant	Dear Sir/Dear Madam Dear Mr Last Name Dear Ms Last Name
Explainig reason	I am writing in order to complain about/I am writing to complain about
Introducing the complaint:	Firstly/In the first place First of all My first complaint is The first problem is The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is My first concern is
Introducing further complaints:	Secondly/In the second place Not only ...but also... Moreover In addition to this Supplementary to this (...something...) was also unacceptable
Demanding action:	I propose that you replace the item / I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund** I would be grateful if my money was refunded I would appreciate it if you could give me a full refund I would be thankful if you could give me a full refund
Endings	I look forward to hearing from you / I look forward to receiving a full refund I look forward to receiving a replacement I look forward to receiving your explanation

1. Would you include flattery? Why or why not? If you would do so, where would you include it?

Wrong letter of complaint

Helpful Trading Co

Smalltown

2 March 2014

Dear Sir,

I am really very disappointed by your shop.

I recently bought a sofa and it just was not right. It was terribly made and a complete waste of money. When I went back to complain, a shop assistant was very rude to me and she said she couldn't deal with the complaint there and then. She said I should write to the manager.

I think that I am entitled to my money back, so what I want is a full refund or if you cannot manage that, a credit note for the full ammount. I also want an apology, plus an explanation of why I was treated so badly.

Thank you for your attention. Sorry to bring this matter up.

Yours sincerely,

A Citizen

1. Look at the words in bold. What is wrong with them? Can you spot any other ‘mistakes’ in this complaint letter?

AYF Homework 15 January

Competition in Business

1. Complete sentences 1-7 with endings a-g.

1. We need a fresh marketing strategy if...

2. One way of dealing with a competitor...

3. Our range is looking tired, we need to...

4. According to our ales figures, our rivals...

5. Have you seen their catalogue? They've...

6. Through clever marketing they...

7. They're hoping that the new managing director can...

a. ... turned working clothes into fashion items.

b. ...brought out a vacuum cleaner just like ours!

c. ...are catching us up fast.

d. ...turn the failing company around.

e. ...is to take it over.

f. ...we are going to stay ahead of the competition.

g. ...come up with some new product ideas fast. 

2. Match the phrasal verbs in italics with these definitions.

1. transform - turn into 

2. invent - 

3. keep in front -

4. gain ground / come up from behind - 

5. produce / introduce something new - 

6. rescue / make successful again - 

7. gain control - 

3. Write a short paragraph answering this question: how do you think consumers benefit from competition? 

Basic diagram: ARGUMENTATIONS

This is what we had on the board today. Remember that this is the BASIC structure to use when elaborating an argumentative text.

1. INTRODUCTION
          - Situation, context.
          - Mention your proposals/ideas

2. BODY PARAGRAPHS
          - Develop your ideas
               i. Mark progression (Firstly, In first place, To begin with, Secondly, In second place, etc.)
               ii. Topic sentence. This has to be clear, simple and direct. It lets the reader know what the paragraph is about.
               iii. Develop argument
(We will see iv.counterarguments and v.refutations in the future)

You need as many body paragraphs as ideas you presented in the introduction. 2 ideas = 2 body paragraphs

3. CONCLUSION
          - It is really a brief summary of what has been said. 
          - No new information
          - Use the conclusion to emphasize that your ideas/proposals are the best option. 
          - To sum up, To conclude, In conclusion

Vocabulary

Effective, adequate, useful, practical
To do this...
This idea is bound to make Public Transport better ...(because)...
Proposal, measure, idea, recommendation
Propose an idea/measure
Put forward an idea
The proposed measure

GAD: Finishing today's exercise

Remember to finish what we did today if you didn't finish it earlier. 

The task was to write instructions on how to send an email and print a copy of it - we start with a switched off computer AND printer. 

This is the vocabulary that was written on the board to help you. Look in your books too, you have everything you need!

First...
After...
Then...
After that...
After doing that...
You should...
You must...
You have to...
You need to...
Make sure that...
When...
Send
To press
Select
Finally...

Cover Letter Exercise (25th November)

Write a letter of application in reply to the following job advertisement. 

ADECCO

FINANCIAL PLANNER OPPORTUNITY

An opportunity to get first-hand experience in the field of finance. Adecco has been asked by Burlington Associates to recruit a number of candidates for short-term contracts of up to six months. 

The contract includes a paid one-week intensive training programme. These post will probably suit recent graduates from Finance degrees/programmes who possess energy, enthusiasm, and good communication skills. 

Write to: Ciaran Biggs, ADECCO, 102-106 Brewer Street, London SW1 

Tips to help you: 

- Burlington Associates is among the TOP Financial Advising companies in the UK.

- The job includes: 

• financial research
• explaining to clients the details of financial assistance available
• selling financial products
• in-depth reviews of clients' financial circumstances
• assisting clients to make informed decisions
• completing risk analyses
• etc. 

''A financial planner provides specialist advice to clients on managing their money in the most profitable and secure way. Clients can be commercial enterprises, institutional groups/societies or private individuals.''

Homework AyF 31st October.

Click on the image to make it larger

Politeness is treating people with respect. Respect makes people feel good. People who feel good will do things for you.

It is safe to say that politeness should be present in all of our basic daily interactions, isn't it?  AyF students, you should pay special attention to this skill. Politeness is something that can be trained, practiced and easily put into action. Those of you who will be making business in a not-so-distant future need to learn how to get people to do things for you. 

That's what business is about, isn't it?

Try and solve the following exercise:  In each case you need to ask someone to do something for you. What do you say? The first one has already been done for you. 

Keep in mind that we don't use the same degree of formality with everyone: you won't speak to a friend the same way you would do to your boss. 

1. You have lost your calculator. Ask a colleague to lend you his.

- Could you lend me your calculator, please? I've lost mine. 

2. You want your secretary to type a letter for you. Her name is Morgan. 

3. You want somebody in your department to finish writing a report for you by Friday. 

4. You can't meet John McClane tomorrow because you've suddenly got to go to Paris on business. Ask a colleague to meet John McClane instead. 

5. You want your friend to get you a coffee. His name is Kevin. 

6. You can't attend the meeting tomorrow because you have a doctor's appointment. Ask your boss to postpone the meeting.

Politeness strategies are something to be learnt, do the exercise the best you can and we will go over it and other politeness-related issues on Tuesday.  

Enjoy your weekend!

20 better words to use in your vocabulary

Using the word 'very' can sometimes give the impression of being lazy. 

To avoid this, and also to come across as someone with a wide range of vocabulary, CLICK HERE and zoom the image to see an interesting list. You will be redirected to something like this - but longer: 

If you find this interesting, you can search the web for more examples - there are many lists similar to this one.