ESL Speaking: Enquiries About Jobs by Ben and Wadi

Another way of motivating students to participate intrinsically in ESL is by asking them to come out with a dialogue in the target language on controlled topics. Students can choose to memorize the dialogue or just by reading it with the right ESL intonation and pronounciation. Here's an example of a dialogue based on my controlled topic which are related to the course that I taught.

 

Ben: Hello, good morning. This is Celestica (AMS) S.d.n B.h.d?
Ady: Hello, good morning. Yes, this is Celestica (AMS) S.d.n B.h.d. Can I help you sir?
Ben: My name is Marzuki Bin Muhammat, I’m calling about your advertisement in jobstreet.com.
Ady: Owh, which job you want apply?
Ben: Actually, I want ask you about qualification do I need to apply job in your company as a technician?
Ady: In technician post, you must have at least certificate in mechanical engineering.What qualification do you have?
Ben: I have a certificate in Mechanical Petroleum from Kuching polytechnic.Am I qualified for the post?
Ady: Yes, I should think so.
Ben:Do you require candidates without work experience?
Ady: Actually, we accept a fresh graduated also. But,i f you have some experience it’s is an advantage for you.
Ben: Could you please tell me some of the responsibilities of a technician?
Ady: Well, the technician is directly responsible to check any machine if have any problem could happen and you must fix it.
Ben: What are the working hours like?
Ady: You must be able to perform permanent 12 hours day or night shift.
Ben: Oh, I see. May I know how much the salary is?
Ady: Well, the starting pay is RM 1800.00, after three months probation it will be increased to RM 2400.00.
Ben: That sounds reasonable. I’d like to make an interview appointment. May I know if it’s possible for you to arrange that?
Ady: Yes, of course. Can I have your full name and contact number please?
Ben: My full name is Marzuki Bin Muhammat. My cell phone number is 010-8888567.
Ady: Do you think you can come tomorrow at ten in the morning for interview?
Ben: Of course I can.
Ady: Please refer to the address in the advertisement when you want to belong to this company.
Ben: Thank you for you information and help.I’ll be there for the interview tomorrow.
Ady: See you then, bye.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

This is the 7th Edition. However, we will be using the latest edition which is the 8th Edition that has extra 1000 new words and their meanings.

This might be useful http://esl-and-more.blogspot.com/2008/08/using-dictionary.html

UNIT 1: Answer Key.

1.1 LETTER FOR APPLICATION FOR INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.

Activity 1:


(1) Name not needed
37 Lintang Mahsuri , (2) Use capital ‘L’ (3) No comma at the end of the name of the road
14000 Pulau Pinang

24/7/2001 (4) Date – should be at right hand side and written as 24 July 2001

The Training Manager
K-Four Sdn Bhd (5)
13500 Seberang Perai
Pulau Pinang . (6) Full stop not needed

Dear Sir (7)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxx

2.xxxxxxxxxx (8) No numbering


3.xxxxxxxxxx (9) No numbering

Yours sincerely (10)


Activity 2:

A)

1. to apply for a place for industrial training.
2. students applying for industrial training.
3. no, because he has written his name at the bottom of the letter.
4. to convince the company that mohd halim is really interested to be trained in the company.
5. to verify that mohd halim is a student of the polytechnic.

B)

1. enquire- find out
2. send with- enclose
3. thankful- grateful
4. company- firm
5. gain- acquire

C)

I would like to enquire.......

I would be grateful...........

I would appreciate it very much........

D)

1. introduce oneself
2. state purpose of letter
3. state reason(s) for choosingthe respective company
4. mention enclosures
5. close letter politely

Activity 3:

A)

I am a second semester Certificate in Computer Science student of Kota Bahru Polytechnic.
I enclose a recommendation letter from the ehad of Mechanical Department.
I am looking forward to a favourable reply from your company.
I would like to enquire if I could have my industrial training in your company.
I am interested to be trained in your company because I was informed that your company provides excellent training programme.
My Industrial Training Officer has recommended your company for my industrial training.

B)

2. State purpose of letter :
I would like to enquire if I could have my industrial training in your company.


3. State reason(s) for choosing the respective company
i) I am interested to be trained in your company because I was informed that your company
provides excellent training programme.

ii) My Industrial Training Officer has recommended your company for my industrial
training.


4. Mention enclosures
I enclose a recommendation letter from the head of Mechanical Department

5. Close letter politely
I am looking forward to a favourable reply from your company.

1.2 CONFIRMATION BY TELEPHONE FOR INDUSTRIAL TRAINING ATTACHMENT.

Activity 1:

1.Laila Yassin
2. Daniel Chua
3. Inventec Computers
4. 1st July 2002
5. Software Department
6. Mr Pandian

Activity 2:

1. Thank you. I look forward to meeting you on that day.
2. Could you arrange another date for interview ?
3. I’m sorry. I thought it was Hotel Continental
4.I’m not sure about the directions to your company. Could you give me the directions to your
company ?
5.Could you please tell him that Maria Salihan from Dungun Polytechnic called , regarding
industrial training ?
6. I’m sorry I cannot make it on that day. This is because I’ll be taking my final exam at that
time.

Activity 3:

Situation 1 :

Student A – Hello, good morning. I am Tania Darwin from Jitra Polytechnic. I am
calling to enquire about my industrial training at your company.
Student B – Let me check the list of trainees. Umm…we do have your name here.
You’ll be training in the Accounting Department.
Student A – That’s great. May I know the date and the person I have to report to ?
Student B – You have to report on 8th July 2002 and your supervisor is Mr Edward
Maniam.
Student A – Thanks for the information.
Student B – You are welcome. Goodbye.

Situation 2 :

Student A – Hello, good morning. I am Serina Redzuwan from Dungun Polytechnic.
I would like to confirm my Industrial Training.
Student B – Let me check the list of trainees first. Umm…it says that you have to
report on 1st June 2002 and your supervisor is Mr Mohsin.
Student A – Oh dear… there’s a slight problem. I’m afraid I can’t come on 1st June as
I have to attend a medical appointment. What about 2nd June, then ?
Student B – 2nd June…that would be a Tuesday…alright. You can report on 2nd June,
2002 at 8 a.m at our office.
Student A – Thanks for your help. Goodbye.

UNIT 3: Answer Key.

Activity 1: (Note:image not available.Please refer to the position of the answer boxes)

camera unit

camera arm


LCD monitor arm light



stage



Activity 2:

A)
situated: located
turn towards: face
running side by side: parallel
capture: shoot
become visible: appears

B) How to use a video imager.

lift the camera arm and the LCD Monitor to the maximum.

turn the camera to face the stage.

position arm light to afce the stage.

switch on the power switch. the image appears on the LCD monitor.

press the video imager button of the input selector.

set the light selector to turn the light on.

place a piece of white paper on the stage and zoom the camera onto it.

press the white balance button to adjust properly the image.

place the document or object on the stage.

adjust the camera position.

press the zoom button on the camera to adjust size and position of the document.

if necessary, press the focus lock button.

C) Example

First, lift the camera arm and the LCD monitor to its maximum. Then, turn the camera to face the stage. Next, position arm light to face the stage. After that, switch on the power switch. The image appears on the LCD monitor. Following this, press the video image button of the input selector. Then, set the light selector to turn the light on. Subsequently, place a piece of white paper on the stage and zoom the camera onto it. Press the white Balance button next to adjust properly the image. In the following step, place the document or object on the stage and later adjust the camera position. Then, press the zoom button on the camera to adjust size and position of the document. Finally, if necessary, press the focus lock button.

Activity 3:

A)

1. press
2. insert
3. turn
4. draw
5. remove

B)

1. Press the OPERATE switch to switch on the video.
2. Turn the hour/minute adjuster to set the time.
3. Use a blowlamp to heat the bolt.
4. Press the EJECT button to open the tape cover of the cassette player.
5. Use a drill to make holes in the wall.

C)

1. by rotating
2. for setting
3. before editing
4. by spraying
5. after measuring

D)

1. regularly
2. tightly
3. thoroughly
4. horizontally
5. firmly

E) (Note: Accept any relevant answers)

1. road side: do not enter the compound.
2. restaurants: no liquor allowed.
3. near hospitals, schools: do not horn.
4. road: no entry.

Self-assessment 1:

2. Turn the bolt anti-clockwise to tighten it.
3. Turn the knob anti-clockwise to set the temperature high.
4. Push the lever down to raise the load.

5. Place the original copy on the document glass

Self-assessment 2:

1. for working
2. before checking
3. by installing
4. after pressing
5. from rusting

Self-assessment 3:

ACROSS

1. accurately

2. immediately

5. carefully

7. softly

8. quickly

BELOW

3. completely

4. gently

6. roughly

Self-assessment 4:

1. Never lean too close to the machine while working.
2. Don’t smoke in the workshop
3. No playing in the workshop.
4. Don’t leave the machine on when you leave the workshop.
5. Never leave tools lying around.

Introduction and Guide: English For Technical Purposes 5

1. Understanding Job Advertisements

2. Making Enquiries about Jobs

3. Writing a Curriculum Vitae

4. Writing a Covering Letter

5. Preparing for Job Interviews & Filling in Job Application Forms

Introduction:

This module is designed for sixth semester students taking technical courses. The learning materials provided in the module will help you improve your language proficiency to handle communication situations in English.

General Aims:

This module aims to:

1. Equip students with the necessary language skills to seek employment
2. Enhance students general language proficiency


Specific Objectives:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. skim and scan job advertisements in English Language newspapers and extract relevant information for job application
2. write an appropriate curriculum vitae
3. write an appropriate job application covering letter
4. make enquiries about job vacancies
5. fill in a job application form with appropriate information
6. handle a job interview effectively


General Guide:

1. This module consists of 5 units. All the units are compiled in the same booklet.

2. The module code, unit number and page number are located at the top right-hand corner of each page.

3. Each unit contains:

- Learning objectives
- Input – This may be in the form of notes, texts and language exponents etc.
- Activity – This consists of task-based activities which will assist you in achieving the objectives of the unit.
- Self-test – at the end of each unit an assessment will be given to evaluate your understanding of each unit.

4. Once you have successfully completed a unit and are confident with your achievement, you can then proceed to the next unit.

Introduction and Guide: English For Technical English Purposes 3

UNIT 1 Understanding Job Advertisement

UNIT 2 Enquiries about jobs

UNIT 3 Writing Curriculum Vitae

UNIT 4 Writing Cover letters

UNIT 5 Job interviews and application forms

UNIT 6 Understanding Graphs And Charts

UNIT 7 Oral Presentation Of Graphs And Charts

Introduction:

This module is designed for fourth semester students taking technical courses at the polytechnic. The learning materials provided in the module will help you improve your language proficiency to handle communication situations in English.

The module is designed for 28 contact hours. This includes assessments and class activities.

General Aims:

This module aims to:

1. equip students with the necessary language skills to seek
employment .
2. enable students to read and write job application letters and
resume/curriculum vitae.

3. enable students to recognize and understand graphs and charts.
4. enhance students’ general language proficiency .

Specific Objectives:

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

1. skim and scan job advertisements in English Language newspapers and extract relevant information for job application
2. write an appropriate curriculum vitae
3. write an appropriate job application covering letter
4. make enquiries about job vacancies
5. fill in a job application form with appropriate information
6. prepare themselves effectively for a job interview.
7. recognize different types of graphs and charts and understand their functions.
8. understand information conveyed in graphs and charts.
9. make written and oral presentations based on information in graphs and charts.

General Guide:

1. This module consists of 7 units. All the units are compiled in the same booklet.

2. The module code, unit number and page number are located at the top right-hand corner of each page.

3. Each unit contains:

- The objectives.
- Input – This may be in the form of notes, texts and language exponents etc.
- Activity – This consists of task-based activities which will assist you in achieving the objectives of the unit. Your lecturers will facilitate the activities and provide you feedback on your progress.
- Assessment – different forms of assessments will be given to evaluate your understanding of each unit.

4. Once you have successfully completed a unit and are confident with your achievement, you can then proceed to the next unit.

Introduction and Guide: English For Technical Purposes 3

INTRODUCTION

This module is designed for the third semester students taking technical courses at the polytechnic. The learning materials provided in the module will help you improve your language proficiency to handle communication situations in English.

The module is designed for 24 contact hours. This includes assessments and class activities.

GENERAL AIMS

This module aims to :
equip students with the necessary language skills to perform effectively at the workplace.
help students acquire a command of the English language at a pragmatic level , thus focusing on comprehension and communication skills.


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

At the end of the module, you should be able to :

- read and understand the contents of memos.
- identify the audience and the purpose of the memo.
- identify the main points in a memo.
- understand the concise and brief language used in memos.
- write memos for different purposes such as relay messages, to give instructions, to give brief explanation or to brief summary.
- use appropriate format in memo writing
- plan, organize and write messages coherently, clearly and with brevity
- express ideas in clear and grammatically correct English, with correct punctuations and correct spelling.
- participate in an appropriate manner and at appropriate times to convey various information and to ask questions
- generally understand the roles of various persons in the meeting such as Chairperson, and secretary of the meeting
- understand the general proceedings of meetings from the Chairperson’s address, passing of the minutes to the adjournment
- understand the format and content of minutes
- take down short notes during a meeting
- describe clearly and accurately how a particular object/product is used/works
- read and understand instructions on maintenance (care) of a product.
- describe how a product is maintained or cared for.
- describe shapes, sizes, weight, volume/capacity, measurement, colour, appearance, etc of objects
- describe components/parts and their function

GENERAL GUIDE

- This module consists of 6 main units. All the units are compiled in the same booklet.
- This module code and unit number is located at the left hand-side and the page number is located at the top right hand corner of each page.

- Each unit contains:

- The objectives

- Input- this may be in form of notes, texts and language exponents etc.

- Activity- consists of task-based activities which will assist you in achieving the objectives.

- Assessment

- Once you have successfully completed a unit and are confident with your achievement, you can then proceed to the next unit.

Introduction and Guide: English For Technical Purposes 2

UNIT 1 : APPLICATION FOR INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT

1.1 Letter of Application for Attachment for Industrial Training
1.2 Confirmation by Telephone for Industrial Attachment
1.3 Thank You Letters

UNIT 2 : PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES

UNIT 3 : INSTRUCTIONS

UNIT 4 : DESCRIPTION OF OBJECT

Introduction

This module is designed for second semester students taking technical courses at the polytechnic. The learning materials provided in the module will help you improve your language proficiency to handle communication situations as well in English.

The module is designed for 30 contact hours. This includes assessments and class activities.


General Aims:

This module aims to:

i. equip students with the necessary language skills to communicate in their workplace

ii. enhance students general language proficiency.


Specific Objectives:

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

i. write letters of application for industrial attachment

ii. use appropriate telephone skills

iii. write thank you letters

iv. read and understand processes and procedure

v. make oral presentation based on processes and procedure.

vi. describe processes and procedure.

vii. give and respond to verbal and written instructions

viii. describe the physical dimensions of objects/products

ix. describe the component parts/contents of objects/products



General Guide

1. This module consists of 4 units. All the units are compiled in the same booklet.

2. The module code and unit number are located at the top left-hand corner of each page.

3. Each unit contains:

# Learning objectives.
# Input – This may be in the form of reports, texts and language exponents etc.
# Activity – This consists of task-based activities which will assist you in achieving the objectives of the unit. Your lecturers will facilitate the activities and provide you feedback on your progress.
# Assessment – different forms of assessments will be given to evaluate your understanding of each unit.

4. Once you have successfully completed a unit and are confident with your achievement, you can then proceed to the next unit.


Learning And Teaching Approach

Teaching and learning strategies are varied (to enhance interest and motivation), with emphasis on task-based, participative learning. Students should be actively engaged in activities such as role-play and simulated workplace situations to enhance learning. Learning should be the focus of every lesson rather than teaching.