Letter 2: My home

 

In the second letter, students will introduce their own immediate surroundings. They will be asked to describe their homes and the area in which they live.

From now on, it is possible to let the students add informal information and/or put in some questions at the end of each letter. They could write about things which have recently happened at school or in their personal environment. In this way an even more personal tie can be established.

Explain to them that they should not ask the same questions which they have answered in the theme because their partners work with the same book. They should also be made aware of the fact that a lot of subjects will be touched on in the coming themes. Try to prevent them from repeating themselves.  

Point out to your students that they must never forget to answer their partner's questions and that they should always try to react to the extra information they may have received in the previous letter.  

In the next themes, lists of questions will be provided to indicate the type of information that should be given. Point out to the students that this is just a basic list. Merely answering the questions will not be enough to write a real letter. They should always add more information.

From now on, the students will also be provided with some specific words and sentences which may be used in their letters and in forthcoming assignments.  

Other ideas

Images photos or scanned drawings could also be exchanged via e-mails with attached documents edited in word processor.

After writing the letters students may create Webpages, one per pupil, where they provide information on the following topics:

• the best place in my home

• the place where I usually study / do my homework 

• the thing/s I like most in my neighbourhood

• the  thing/s I dislike most about my neighbourhood

The information they will make available comprises pictures or drawings (scanned or taken with a digital camera) of the above mentioned items which will be illustrated with captions where they shortly describe the images.

Every time you start with a new theme, it is advisable to go through this list. This will save a lot of questions afterwards.  

When your students receive the letters from their partners, or surf through their published web pages, it may form a picture of the partner's social environment which they did not expect at first. There is always a possibility that there is a big social difference between the two schools. Guide your students' reactions and use them to their benefit.