Hello Gabi, Kati, Mario and all English-Team members! The goals of our LCCI EfB prep course are the following:
- preparing for the LCCI EfB, level 1
- preparing for the speaking test, level 1 (Gabi and Katja) and level 2 (Mario)
- increasing our level of self-confidence
- creating our CV’s/professional portfolios
- finding a new job
Now, in order to prepare for the LCCI EfB, level 1 we should focus on the two main task:
- writing memos
- writing business letters
A memo or letter should contain 150 to 200 words and cover one of the following topics:
- retail orders
- customer inquiries
- requests for information
- replies to complaints
- reminders about tasks in hand
- communications between co-workers, etc.
A letter requires the following information:
-
Sender’s address
Complete address. Other details, eg phone numbers, may also be included.
-
Recipient’s name (and position)
The title and name of the person followed by their position (if appropriate).
-
Recipient’s address
The postal address of the intended recipient.
-
Appropriate date
An appropriate date (this will depend on any dates given in the question).
-
Correct salutation
Dear (name) or Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Sirs
-
Correct complimentary close
Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully
-
Sender’s signature
Your name (or a space if your boss has said ‘ready for my signature’).
-
Sender’s name
Your name (or the name of your boss).
-Sender’s position
Your position (or the position of your boss).
A memo should be between 150 and 200 words long and requires the following information:
Who is the memo for?
Who is the memo from?
What is the memo about?
What is the date?
This information should be positioned next to the appropriate headings as in the example below. A job position may be added after the name of the sender (and/or recipient), eg.
To: Ronald McDouglas, Managing Director
From: Jacqueline Roberts, Marketing Manager
The initials of the writer may also be added at the bottom of the memo, eg J.R. Using paragraphs for different points helps to get the message across.
MEMO
To:
From:
Subject:
Date:
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
The language used in memos is shorter and more direct than in a letter. It is important to stay to the point, but be polite. Make sure that the person who receives the memo will be able to understand the message.
Checklist Memos:
- Have you completed the task? (Will the person who receives the memo understand the message?)
- Is the layout correct?
- Are the details correct? (To: From: Date:)
- Does the subject line tell you briefly what the memo is about?
- Have you included all the relevant information?
- Have you ordered the information in the best way?
- Is the language appropriate for a memo?
- Have you checked spelling, grammar and punctuation?
Now, please complete the following tasks:
LCCI EfB level 1, letter 1 (2009)
LCCI EfB, level 1, task 2 (2009)
LCCI EfB, task 2 (canteen memo)
Speaking Prep
To prepare for the speaking test we are going to use the following method:
- You get a speaking assignment and record your response here on the forum.
- A trainer will analyze and assess your recording.
- A trainer will give you online speaking sessions to improve your speaking skills.
TOEIC listening, question-response: Weren’t you at the conference last month?