A2 Level 2 - Blackboard Learn

A2 Level 2

Applying for a degree!

Start - Up

Welcome! Hi again, guys. It’s very nice to see you again. I’m Tim and today, we are going to learn how to apply for a university degree using polite language in academic contexts.

Start - Up

Are you ready? First, we have to study these topics: • Expressions for enquiring, requesting information, and apologizing • How to express gratitude • What the parts of a formal letter are

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Warm Up

Warm Up

Today is an important day. I am going to start applying to different universities in Bogota for a degree in business management. I have to make some phone calls and write some letters to get more information on my options. First, I’m going to call Santa Fe University. Let´s get started!

Carla: Good morning. Admissions’ office, this is Carla speaking. How can I help you? Tim: Good morning, I would like to request some information about the application process for the Business Management program. I wonder if I need to take an entrance exam. Carla: Certainly. First, you have to make a deposit and fill out an online application format to take the examination. Tim: Could you tell me when do I have to take the examination? Carla: It is on September 29th and it takes 5 hours. Tim: What will I have to do next if I pass the examination? Carla: Well, if you pass, you will have to write a motivation letter saying what your motivations to study this program are. Tim: Thank you for the information. Would you mind telling me about the tuition fees for the Business Management program?

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Warm Up

Carla: I’m afraid I can’t give you an exact amount of money; it depends on your family’s income and other financial issues. Tim: I’m not quite sure I know what you mean. Could you clarify that, please? Carla: Sure. In this university, we usually analyze students’ current financial situation to determine how much money they will have to pay for their semester. Tim: I understand. What about student loans? I couldn’t find enough information on how to get a loan, on the web page. Carla: I’m very sorry for that. At the moment, we are doing some updates on the information for the new academic year. Tim: That’s all right. Could you tell me when I will be able to register in my courses? Carla: After completing all that paperwork, you will be able to register in your courses and lectures. Tim: Would it be possible to have all this information by e-mail? Carla: Of course. Could you please give me your e-mail address? Tim: Yes, it is [email protected] Carla: I’ll send you all this information shortly. Is there anything else I can help you with? Tim: No, I think that’s everything. Thank you for your help. Goodbye. Carla: Goodbye.

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Let’s get inside

Let’s get inside

Hi, apprentices! That conversation I had on the phone was very useful. Now, I think I’m going to send an email to another university I am very interested in to ask for more information. Let’s get inside!

1. First, I need to greet formally the person that is going to read this letter:

Dear sir or madam, 2. Then, I am going to introduce myself and explain the purpose of my letter.

... My name is Tim Robinson and I recently learned of the Business Management program you offer 3. I think I should request specific information about their business management program. Let’s see:

… and I would greatly appreciate if you can provide some information on application requirements, tuition fees, and student loans or funding aids available for students. 4. Now, I need to thank them for reading my message. And finally, I need to write a closing word, and my name:

Thank you very much in advance for your attention. Yours sincerely, Tim Robinson

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Let’s analyze

And… send! I really hope they answer to my letter soon. Wow! That was fast! Let’s read their response letter!: Dear Mr. Robinson, Thank you for your interest in the Central University Business Management program. In response to your letter, our university has the following application requirements: • First, you have to write a short motivation letter about your motivations to study business management, the reason why you chose this university, and your expectations about your future. • Secondly, you will have an interview with the dean of the faculty, Ph.D Theodore Jackson. • Finally, regarding the tuition fee for the program, the cost per semester (Books included) is $3.000.000. To pay for your tuition fee, you can ask for a student loan. We also offer funding aids such as scholarships or subsidies for our best students. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail. Best Regards, Andrea Rodríguez Admissions assistant Sante Fe University

Let’s analyze Let’s analyze important concepts. Applying to universities can be an interesting process. You need to do different things like enquiring, requesting information, apologizing, etc. Likewise ,you will have to use different structures and polite words if you want to go smoothly through your application process! These are the concepts we are going to study.

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Let’s analyze

Structures to express politeness When you ask for information, you need to remember to be polite to the person that is helping you. In this section, I am going to give you some examples of polite ways to enquire, make requests, apologize and express gratitude.

Enquiring and requesting! - There are some expressions for making polite enquiries. For example, you can use modal verbs such as “would”, “would like” or “could” to make enquires and requests more gently.

• Tell me where the Dean´s office is. (Impolite) • Could you tell me where the Dean´s office is? (Polite) • I want some information about your courses. (Impolite) • I would like some information about your courses. (Polite)

- You can also use the following expressions to enquire or request in a formal way.

• Would it be possible to...? Would it be possible to have all this information by e-mail? • I wonder if...? I wonder if I need to take an entrance exam. • Would you mind...? Would you mind giving me your e-mail address?

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Let’s analyze • Do you think you could…? Do you think you could send me the information by e-mail?

Asking for clarification! - Sometimes we need to ask someone for some clarification. Check the following expressions we could use in these cases:

• Could you say that again, please? • Could you repeat, please? • Could you clarify that, please?

Apologyzing and expressing gratitude! - Sometimes you will need to apologize for something in a very respectful way. Let’s have a look at the following expressions we can use to apologize.

• I’m sorry to trouble you but I can’t find any information on the webpage. • I’m very sorry for the inconvenience. • I’m afraid that at the moment we are doing some updates to the webpage.

- And don’t forget that we always need to thank the person who helped us. Check this:

• Thank you very much for your help. • I appreciate all your help. • Thank you so much for helping me.

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Let’s talk

Let’s talk

Intonation: Direct vs indirect questions In this section, we are going to learn how to intonate direct and indirect questions. Do you know the difference between direct and indirect questions?

Direct questions Direct questions are the “normal” questions that we can ask to friends, family and people we know well. • Where’s the bathroom? • What time is it?

Indirect questions Indirect questions are more formal and polite. We use them when talking to a person we don’t know very well, or in professional situations. • Could you tell me where the bathroom is? • Could you tell me what time it is?

- Here are some phrases you can use to start an indirect question • Could you tell me how long the exam lasts? • I was wondering if I need to take an exam. • I would like to know how much the semester costs. • Would it be possible for you to send me the information today?

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Let’s talk

- Did you notice that the intonation of indirect questions is different? Look at these examples:

• Could you tell me where Santa Fe University is?

• Would it be possible for you to send me the information today?

Questions starting with “Could you”, “would you” or “Would it be possible” take a question mark at the end. However they are considered indirect questions. That is why they have a rising intonation at the end

• I was wondering if I need to take an exam.

• I would like to know how much the semester cost.

Expressions such as “I was wondering” and “I would like to know” don’t take a question mark at the end. That is why they gave a falling intonation at the end.

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References and Credits

References 1. Expresso English (s.f.). Direct and Indirect Questions in English. Retrieved on September 18th 2013, from http://www.espressoenglish.net/direct-andindirect-questions-in-english/ 2. LITTLEJOHN, A. (2005). Company to Company (4th Ed.). Unit 1: Making Enquiries. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved on September 17th 2013, from http://www.cambridge.org/servlet/file/store6/item2401683/version1/ item_9780521609753_excerpt.pdf 3. MURPHY, R. (2004). English Grammar in Use (3rd Ed.). Cambridge University Press. UK: Cambridge 4. UNC College of arts and sciences (2006). Module of Pronunciation II. Unit 12: Intonation in Indirect Questions. Retrieved on September 18 2013, from http://es.slideshare.net/yusuf_k/module-of-pronunciation-2

Credits Pedagogical Direction Paul Cifuentes Carlos Javier Amaya

Direction of Art César Páez

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Credits

ICT Leadership Yeison Ospina

Quality management Ingrid Flórez

Script Composition Rosa Isabel González Moreno

Content Support Georgette Christopher

Multimedia Development Daniela vives Designer Wilmer Molina Designer Edwin Hurtado Programming engineer

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