Let it be (The Beatles)

Idiom of the day (45)

There's always a catch.

No hay miel sin hiel.

A letter to apply for a job

A letter to apply for a job is also known as letters of application or cover letters. You can write to apply for a job or a course.

Introduction

First paragraph = opening remarks

     - Reason for writing

     - The name of the job/course, where and when you saw it advertised

Main body

Second, third and/or four paragraphs = you give details

     - Age, present job and/or studies

     - Qualifications

     - Experience

     - Skills and personal qualities that are suitable for the job/course

Conclusion

Last paragraph = closing remarks

     - When you are available for interview

     - Where and when you can be contracted

     - A remark that you hope that you application will be considered

Example of a letter to apply for a job:

                                                                                         18 Kings Road

                                                                               Birminghan, M24 6HD

                                                                                         June 16, 2003

Mr P Bradley

Trans Europe Tours,

17 Bridge Street,

Cambridge, SW12

Dear Mr. Bradley,

I am writing to apply apply for the position of travel courier, which I saw advertised in the February edition of Sunshine Holidays.

As outlined in my curriculum vitae, which I have enclosed, I have got a degree in Modern Languages from Bristol University. I have been working as a travel courier for the las two years.

I believed that I would be an ideal candidate for the position because I speak French, German and Spanish fluently and I have got a working knowledge of Greek. This makes me capable of dealing with people from different countries. Besides, I am outgoing, talkative and friendly, which are the perfect qualities for a travel courier. Apart from this, my time spent traveling around Europe gives me a valuable knowledge of several countries. Therefore, I would be good at showing people all those places.

I thank you for considering my application and am willing to attend an interview at any time.

Yours sincerely,

J. Henderson

Idiom of the day (44)

The grass is always greener on the other side.

Nadie está contento con lo que tiene.

Vocabulary (11) - Cinema

actor

actress

director

screenplay
script

plot

film (BE)
movie (AE)
cast
lead role
secondary role
main actor
secondary actor
original version
scene
setting
special effects
star
story
subtitles
stuntman/stuntwoman

soundtrack: if you want to know what a soundtrack is, click here (you will find some examples)

genre, types of genres: action film/movie, animation film/movie, cartoon film/movie, comedy, historical drama, horror film/movie, martial arts film/movie, musical, romantic comedy, science fiction film/movie, silent film/movie, thriller, war film/movie, western

Verbs related to the cinema
act
be based on
be dubbed into
direct
film
play the part
record
set
subtitle
test

Interview with George Clooney

A good way to practice the listening skill...

Red red wine (UB40)

Idiom of the day (43)

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Mejor no revolver el asunto.

Weekend camping resets body clock

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38826127

Lucky (Pharrel Williams)

Idiom of the day (42)

The pen is mightier than the sword.

Más puede la pluma que la espada.

Famous words (7)

The public is like a piano. You just have to know what keys to poke.

                                                              Al Capp (US cartoonist)

A formal transactional letter

We usually write a formal transactional letter to respond to written information in the form of advertisements, letters, invitations, notes, etc

Introduction

First paragraph = we write our opening remarks and explain the reason for writing the letter.

Main body

Second and third paragraphs = we ask questions or give the information required. We always ask our questions in a formal indirect way.

Conclusion

Last paragraph = we write our closing remarks.

It is important to include all the facts provided in the rubric and the notes. However, we need to rewrite the information in our own words as much as possible. We do not use abbreviations, contracted types or colloquialisms for this type of transactional letter.

Example: You are an author and you have received the following invitation. Write a letter accepting the invitation and ask for details regarding the location, time and whether you can can bring any guests with you.

     Dear Mrs Stephens,

          We would be delighted if you would accept our invitation to present

     the awards at the Book Society's 5th annual awards dinner.

     Yours sincerely,

     Peter Van De Vere

Dear Mr Van De Vere,

Thank you for your kind invitation. I would be honoured to present the awards at the Book Society's 5th annual awards dinner. Unfortunately, you failed to mention a few important details.

Firstly, I would be grateful if you could let me know the exact date of the event, so that I can rearrange my schedule. I assume that you are holding the event at the Regency Hotel in London, as you did last year. However, I would be grateful if you could let me know if the location has changed. I also need to know what time the event starts.

In addition, I was wondering if it would be possible to bring my daughter as my guest. Finally, I would like to mention that I am a strict vegetarian, therefore I would be grateful if you could let me know whether there will be any vegetarian dishes on the menu.

Thank you again for choosing me to host such a worthwhile event. I am looking forward to it immensely.

Yours sincerely,

Jane Stephens

Catalan trial: Artur Mas independence vote case draws crowds

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38878688

National geographic

Adventure video, pictures, world exploration, educational cable TV programming. Includes show schedule, plus multimedia previews.

Website: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/

Black or white (Michael Jackson)

Idiom of the day (41)

Let bygones be bygones.

Lo pasado, pasado está.

Rolling in the deep (Adele)

Famous words (6)

Sports do not build character. They reveal it.

                                          Heywood Hale Brown (US broadcast juornalist)

A letter to the editor

We usually write a letter to the editor when we want to express our opinion about a topic that is of interest to the general public, to agree or disagree with something that has been reported, or to discuss a problem and suggest solutions. We usually write a letter to the editor in a formal or semi-formal style.

We start our letter with Dear Sir/Madam,

Introduction

First paragraph = we present our reason for writing and our opinion about the topic.

Main body

Second and third paragraphs = we present our arguments/the problems, together with consequences/suggestions/results in separate paragraphs.

Conclusion

Last paragraph = we summarise our opinion or write it again using different words.

We end with Yours faithfully, and our full name.

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

To begin the letter: I am writing to express my support for/(dis)approval of...; I am writing with regard to...; I am writing about...; I have just read...; etc

To state an opinion: In my opinion,...; I (do not) feel/believe/think...; I am (totally) opposed to/in favour of...; I strongly (dis)agree with...; etc

To express the consequences/results: xThis will/would mean...; Then...; Therefore...; As a result,...; Consequently,...; If we/they do/did this,...; Obviously,...; Clearly,...; etc

To list ponts: Firstly,...; First of all,...; Secondly,...; Furthermore,...; What is more,...; FInally,...;

To end the letter: I hope my comments/suggestions/points will be taken into consideration; I hope the government/local council/we will...; I hope something will be done about this urgently; etc

Example: The local council has decided to build a new sports centre in your home town where an old factory used to be. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, expressing your support for the plan.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writign about the recent article in your newspaper regarding the decision to build a new sports centre in our town. In my opinion, this is an excellent idea which will have many advantages for our town.

To start with, the town has very few sports facilities. Many people do not get the chance to play sports when they want. A new sports centre will give more people the opportunity to play sports. It will also give children and teenagers access to better facilities tah they have at school, as well as somewhere to go at weekends. At the moment there is little for them to go.

Furthermore, the new sports centre will be in an excellent location. It is in the centre of town, near the railway station and several major bus routes. Consequently, it will be very easy to get to. What is more, the fact that it will be built on the site of the old factory means that the town's appearance will be improved.

All in all, I must state that I am in total agreement with the council's decision. I hope that the plan is put into effect as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully,

James Marshall