9C - Homework for November 16

In Munich you will be tourists!  Take your English activity journal with you and write about your experiences.  But do it on a level that shows you are ready for Matura.  Each entry should be well-organized (paragraphs, linking words), thoughtful, well-written (grammar, tenses, vocabulary), with plenty of Matura language (passive verbs, if-sentences, indirect speech, comparisons, gerunds, etc). 

Since this assignment covers two weeks of missed lessons, you should do at least two of the following and write at least 250 words for each (500 word minimum!)  Concentrate on quality, not quantity.  Remember, good writing takes time. 

Here are some ideas to get you started (CHOOSE AT LEAST TWO TO WRITE ABOUT)

Whatever you write, make sure your audience (Dr. JoJo) is fully informed.  Use the guideline Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? And use plenty of details and examples (remember the rule of 3!)

2    1) Write a review of the Hofbräuhaus.  Write about the food and drink, the atmosphere, the friendliness of the waitstaff, the cleanliness of the restrooms, the price, the music, the behavior of the other guests, and anything else you think is important.  Above all, consider whether the experience is “authentic” German culture, or is it “just for the tourists”? 

     2)    Write about an English experience in Munich (you will have the opportunity to meet with people from all over the world – not all of them will be able to speak German).  Go out and MEET SOMEONE!  Write a detailed journal entry about an extended conversation you had with a tourist/exchange student/factory employee. Was it a good experience?  What did you notice about his/her English?  What did you notice about your own English abilities?

4   3)  Suggest a program in Munich for next year’s senior trip.  What should students absolutely see?  What could they easily do without?  What else would you include on the program?  What would you do differently?  What did you find most valuable and why? 

5    4)  Write an article for an international teen magazine about education weeks in Austria.  Consider the following:  Students go on Vienna Week in the second form, Sport Week in the third form, ideally Language Week in the fourth form and Munich Week in the fifth form. Why is it so important for students to participate in these activities during their school years?  What do they learn that they can use in the future?  How do these experiences enrich (bereichern) your life?

6   5) Write a complaint letter about something that didn’t go right on your Munich week (perhaps your accommodations weren’t environmentally friendly!  Or you had bad accommodations, bad food, a bad experience that you can hold someone else accountable for).

LANGUAGE:  Formal English

FORMAT:  Formal letter/formal e-mail (salutation, complimentary close, signature)
INTRODUCTION:  Start by giving the provider a compliment (“you catch more flies with honey”)
BODY 1:  Explain what the problem was in detail
BODY 2:  Explain why this was a problem for you personally
BODY 3:  Suggest ways in which the provider might make amends (most complaints can be resolved by simply bringing it to the attention of the provider.  You shouldn’t call out your lawyer because the milk at breakfast was spoiled, and spoiled milk does not entitle you to a full refund of your stay!

CONCLUSION:  Indicate that you expect a timely follow-up

LINED PAPER, MARGIN FOR CORRECTION – OR TYPED (NO GRAPH PAPER!!)