1. FCE and CAE letter-writing: some useful phrases for Paper 2, Question 1

Here are some useful phrases for making references to the source letter:

1. Regarding/Concerning….

First Paragraph: Purpose and Topic

In the first paragraph make sure that you mention the topic of the letter and your purpose in writing:

I am writing to ask for more information about the English conversation classes you are currently offering at Green Hill Institute.

Having read your advertisement about improving English conversation skills, I would like to request more information about the classes you offer.

I am interested in improving my English conversation skills. I would appreciate it if you could answer a few questions regarding your intensive course.

Useful Phrases and Tips for the Writing papers at FCE and CAE level

1. Useful Phrases for Letter Writing2. Useful Phrases for Requesting 3. Tips on Writing Proposals

Regarding the small group classes, could you please clarify how many students you normally have in one class? Concerning accommodation, I would prefer to stay with a family.

Also try:When it comes to accommodation, I would prefer to stay with a family. On the question of accommodation, staying with a family suits me best.On the subject of accommodation, could you confirm that students stay with families while they are studying with you?As for as accommodation goes, is it possible to stay one week with a family and one week in a guest house?As for accommodation with families, can you reassure me that your families are all checked before you offer them students?

* Note the commas used after these preliminary phrases. *

2. You mention….

You mention that there are ‘social and cultural activities included’. Could you give me more information about these activities?You claim in your advertisement to offer ‘intensive’ courses. What exactly do you mean by this, and how can you guarantee progress?

Also try:When you say that you have ‘intensive courses’, what exactly do you mean? How many hours per day does the £150 include? Your advertisement states that accommodation is with a family or in a guest house. Is there a difference in price between these two options?

3. In response to…

In response to your question about a good gym in the area, I can suggest two good ones within easy walking distance.

Also try:Turning to your question about gyms, may I suggest that you shop around before choosing one?Taking up your question about good local gyms, I can recommend two good ones. In answer to your question about gyms, I can recommend two good ones nearby.

(formal) With reference to your question about local gyms, I advise you to contact our recreation officer who will gladly help you further.(formal) Further to your enquiry about local gyms, I suggest that you contact the local authority who publish a list of gyms in the city.

4. Could you...?

Could you please give me more information about the social and cultural activities which are included in the price? I love watching films and would welcome the opportunity to take part in a film evening with a discussion. Do you organize such events?

Also try:Could/Would you kindly give me more information about the price of an intensive course?

5. I am…Can/Could you?

I am not clear about the number of hours in the intensive course. Can you give me more details?I am happy to stay with a family, but it will depend on the price. Could you possibly tell me how much one week’s accommodation with a family will cost?

Rob OliverOctober 2008

2.FCE/CAE Letter Writing: Useful phrases for requesting information

Good verbs to use: Could you tell me…..? Could you send me…..? Could you inform me (of)…. Could you clarify for me….. Could you let me know…..?

Could you give me more information (about)…..? Could you advise me…..? Could you suggest (to me)…..? Could you explain (to me)……? Could you recommend me….? Would you be able to advise/recommend/suggest…..?

Do not use: ‘Could you suggest me..? or ‘Could you explain me…?’ Do not use: ‘Could you please write me….?’

Use adverbs to vary the tone: Could you possibly tell me more about the proposed intensive course? Could you kindly give me more information about the course? Could you give me more details about course dates as soon as

possible? Could you send me a brochure by return as I need to book an English

language course urgently?

To.../So that/To ensure that…. To allow me to make/To help me make a better decision, could you

clarify the difference in price between family and guest house accommodation?

So that/To ensure that I choose the right course for my son/daughter, could you give me details of the intensive course together with an example of a typical lesson at your school?

Appreciate, Grateful and Welcome: I would appreciate it if you could explain the difference between an

intensive and a normal English class. (note: this is not a question!) I would appreciate more information about the extra-curricular

activities you offer. I would be grateful if you could give me more detail about the content

and timing of your intensive course. I would welcome a clearer explanation of what is involved in the

intensive course.

Do not use: ‘I would appreciate to know…’.

If (second conditional): If I knew more about the intensive course, I would be in a position to

make a more informed decision about your school.If (first conditional):

If you give more information about the accommodation costs, I will be able to decide if I can afford your courses.

As/Since/Seeing as:

As/Since/Seeing as I am living on a tight budget, I need to know how much accommodation will cost. Could you please give me more information about your prices?

Please: Could you please explain what an ‘intensive course’ is? Please send me more details about your intensive courses and any

special deals you have regarding accommodation. Would you please send me a brochure?

I would…./I am writing to… I would like to request a brochure and any details of special offers for the summer period. I would be interested to know more about your intensive course. I would like to improve my English and I am writing to request more

information about your conversation classes as advertised recently in ‘The English Student’ magazine.

3.Tips on Writing Proposals

At CAE level and sometimes at FCE, you are asked to write a proposal with recommendations.

In order to structure your writing using the words available (maximum 220 at CAE), try planning your proposal in sections.

Here are two possible outlines for proposals:

1. Introduction 50 wordsState the topic and purpose of the proposal and mention why there is a need for change.

2. The Problem 70 words

Explain the current or past situation, giving details of problem areas which need to be addressed.

3. The Solution 100 words Give your recommendations, responding to the problems and providing reasons.

Or

1. IntroductionAs above. 50 words

2. First Recommendation with reasons 50 words

3. Second Recommendation with reasons 50 words

4. Third Recommendation with reasons 50 words

5. Conclusion 20 words

You can use sub-headings for your proposal and, if it helps, bullet points.

Make sure in the introduction that you use the keywords from the question.

Make sure that you use the data given in the question prompt in your proposal. Combine similar items together. Avoid using brackets or sub-clauses which give too much additional information.

Proposal: example (from a CAE question)

Introduction

Following last year’s information day on careers and education, the college is planning to hold a similar event in 2009 and is looking for ways to improve the organisation.

Review of 2008

Although some aspects of last year’s information day were well received, such as the lecture given by the local businessman Mr Gates, the day was

not successful for most students. For some it was even considered a ‘waste of time’.

The main criticism was that the event was too long, with a lot of leaflets and long presentations. Moreover, there was too much emphasis on theory and not enough on practice. The feedback also suggests that too much attention was given to jobs and not enough to university courses.

Recommendations

The day should be made more interactive, useful and above all interesting for students.

The format of the day should be changed to create regular breaks when students can meet presenters and ask questions. Parallel workshops rather than single sessions would create more choice for students. To help those seeking university courses, representatives from universities could set up an education ‘fair’ and even hold some simulated classes or discussion groups.

To make the day as practical as possible, more talks by local business people and more workshops on interview techniques should be included.

216 words

Rob Oliver, updated October 2008