Jenny Dooley – Virginia Evans

Jenny Dooley – Virginia Evans

 Contents

A Letter For You ..................................................................................................... p. 5

I. Language Passport ................................................................................................ p. 7

II. Language Biography

All About Me! ........................................................................................................... p. 8
How I Learn! ............................................................................................................. p. 9
My World of English! ............................................................................................... p. 10
Now I Can! ................................................................................................................ p. 11
Future Plans! ............................................................................................................. p. 13

III. Dossier
My Best Friends! ...................................................................................................... p. 17
Teenage Life ............................................................................................................. p. 19
Money Problems ....................................................................................................... p. 21
Short Messages ......................................................................................................... p. 23
Our School ................................................................................................................. p. 25
Jobs ............................................................................................................................ p. 27
“Use Less Stuff” ........................................................................................................ p. 29
Endangered Species ................................................................................................. p. 31
A Trip to Remember ................................................................................................ p. 33
Travel Journal ........................................................................................................... p. 35
Glorious Food! .......................................................................................................... p. 37
Healthy Eaters .......................................................................................................... p. 39
Showtime! .................................................................................................................. p. 41
New TV Series .......................................................................................................... p. 43
Top-Three Gadgets .................................................................................................. p. 45
Young Inventors ....................................................................................................... p. 47

IV. Extra Activities ....................................................................................................... p. 49

My Selection! ............................................................................................................ p. 51
Contents ..................................................................................................................... p. 53

4
 A Letter For You

Dear ............................................................., (your name)

This Language Portfolio is your property. It has been designed to help you improve your
language learning. It will accompany you throughout this course and will help you document
your learning both inside and outside the classroom.
The Language Portfolio contains material which you can use and then keep as a record of
your learning. In this portfolio, you can also include any extra material given to you by your
teacher. However, the final decision of what to include in the Language Portfolio is
completely up to you.
In practice, Language Portfolios may include projects or other examples of written work,
computer disks (with work or drawings completed inside or outside the classroom),
CDs/DVDs (with your favorite story or performances of songs, school plays, etc.),
certificates, reports from your teachers, or even a collection of objects or pictures.
Here is a short explanation of each section in your Language Portfolio:
I. Language Passport
This is an up-to-date report of your progress in English language learning. In this section you
will include evidence of your formal qualifications (certificates, diplomas), tests, progress
report cards, self-assessment cards, etc.
II. Language Biography
This is an up-to-date record of your personal language learning history, which will help you
evaluate your learning goals and reflect on your language learning and intercultural
experiences.
III. Dossier
This is a collection of your work which you have chosen in order to illustrate your language
skills, experiences, and achievements in learning the English language. In this section of your
Language Portfolio there is some material you can use. You can also file any work you do,
both inside or outside the classroom, which you would like to keep as evidence of your work
in learning English.

We hope you enjoy these activities.

Jenny Dooley – Virginia Evans

5
How to organize your Language Portfolio

In your Language Portfolio, you can include almost anything you have produced or collected that documents
your progress in learning English. We suggest you keep your work in plastic file folders so that it remains in
good condition.

In practice, your Language Portfolio can be any shape or size according to the material you choose to store.

Your Language Portfolio can include any of the following:

6
 I. Language Passport

Here you can record all your achievements in the English language. You can include certificates,
diplomas, progress report cards, self-assessment forms, tests, etc. In general, you can include
anything that is proof of your competence in English.

Every time you add something, record it in your Language Passport Chart.

MY LANGUAGE PASSPORT CHART

Date Type of Material

...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................
...................................... ..................................................................

7
 II. Language Biography

All About Me!

Name: Date of birth:

Age: Place of birth:

I am in my year of English.

My English teacher’s name:

✓) or an ‘✗
Read and put a check (✓ ✗’.

Some members of my family speak English.

Some members of my family are from an English-speaking country.

I often read English books, magazines, etc.

I often watch English TV programs.

I often listen to English songs.

I have extra English lessons.

There is someone at home who speaks English to me.

I have contact with people from English-speaking countries.

I have visited/lived in the following English-speaking countries:

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

8
 II. Language Biography

How I Learn!
Think about the easiest ways for you to learn something new. Read the sentences below, and put a
check next to the answers that best describe the way you learn. You can choose more than one answer.
1 I understand words/sentences better if I ...
A listen to them on cassette/CD.
B listen to my teacher saying them.
C see them written down.
D see, listen, and do something with them.
E other
2 I learn words/phrases better if I ...
A listen to them on cassette/CD.
B listen to my classmates saying them.
C read them.
D write them down.
E repeat them.
F act them out, sing them, etc.
G come across them on a video/DVD, etc.
H other
3 I can express myself best if I ...
A already know all the words I need to use.
B know some of the words I need to use.
C use pantomime, objects, and pictures to help me.
D already have some life experience in the subject.
E other
4 I learn best if I work ...
A on my own. B in pairs. C in groups/teams. D other
5 I am more eager to learn if ...
A I know why I’m doing an activity.
B I know an activity will help me.
C I am rewarded.
D an activity will help me find out more about the things I like.
E other
6 I understand grammar rules better if ...
A they are explained to me in my native language.
B I compare them with the grammar rules of my native language.
C I explore a text and come up with the grammar rules myself.
D other
9
 II. Language Biography

My World of English!
Make notes about the following.

The stories I know in English

.............................................................. ............................................................

.............................................................. ............................................................

.............................................................. ............................................................

The songs I can sing in English

.............................................................. ............................................................

.............................................................. ............................................................

.............................................................. ............................................................

The videos/DVDs I’ve watched in English

.............................................................. ............................................................

.............................................................. ............................................................

.............................................................. ............................................................

10
 II. Language Biography

Now I Can!
Here is what you should be able to do in English after this course. Every now and then, for instance once a
month, you will need to check your progress in the English language. For this reason, you should use a
pencil so that you can change and/or add things as you go along. You can use the following code:

Very Well: ✓✓✓ OK: ✓✓ Not Very Well: ✓

Listening

I can ...
ñ understand people talking about things I know. .......................
ñ understand people giving factual information. .......................
ñ understand everyday conversations. .......................
ñ understand programs on TV and the radio. .......................
ñ understand movies. .......................
ñ guess the meaning of unknown words. .......................
ñ understand other people when they speak clearly. .......................
ñ understand short lectures and talks. .......................

Reading
I can ...
ñ understand texts on subjects I am interested in. .......................
ñ understand personal letters and short messages. .......................
ñ understand ads, articles, newsletters, etc. .......................
ñ understand descriptions of events. .......................
ñ understand argumentative texts and assessment reports that are written clearly. .......................
ñ understand newspaper articles about topics I am familiar with. .......................
ñ find and understand general information in everyday material. .......................

Speaking
11
 II. Language Biography

Speaking

I can ...
ñ describe things to people. .......................
ñ give instructions. .......................
ñ give directions. .......................
ñ give advice to people. .......................
ñ give news. .......................
ñ express my thoughts on abstract cultural topics (movies, books, music)/social issues. .......................
ñ describe personal experiences. .......................
ñ describe feelings. .......................
ñ talk about my dreams, hopes, wishes, and ambitions. .......................

Writing
I can ...
ñ write a short narrative. .......................
ñ describe the plot of a book or a movie. .......................
ñ describe my thoughts on cultural topics, such as movies and music. .......................
ñ write personal letters expressing feelings, giving news, making complaints, and giving advice. ......................
ñ take messages describing inquiries and problems. .......................
ñ write a for-and-against essay. .......................
ñ write short communicative messages. .......................
ñ write an opinion essay. .......................

12
 II. Language Biography

Future Plans!
What would you like to do in the future to improve your English? How can you learn more about other
people and other countries? Choose and write. You can also use your own ideas.

I WOULD LIKE TO ...

ñ read English stories, magazines, etc. ñ write to people from other countries.
ñ watch English movies, programs, etc. ñ visit other countries.
ñ listen to English songs. ñ find information about other countries and
ñ talk to native English speakers. cultures.
ñ use the Internet and visit English web sites.

13
 III. Dossier

In your Language Portfolio, you can include anything you would like to keep and present as evidence of
your progress in the English language. Here are some activities you can do that can be included in your
Language Portfolio, if you wish. Every time you do one of these activities, check (✓) the corresponding box.

It can be done at
Page Title of the activity the end of
Module ...

17 My Best Friends! 1
19 Teenage Life 1
21 Money Problems 2
23 Short Messages 2
25 Our School 3
27 Jobs 3
29 “Use Less Stuff” 4
31 Endangered Species 4
33 A Trip to Remember 5
35 Travel Journal 5
37 Glorious Food! 6
39 Healthy Eaters 6
41 Showtime! 7
43 New TV Series 7
45 Top-Three Gadgets 8
47 Young Inventors 8

14
 Glue a photo
of yourself
here

Name: .......................................................
School: .......................................................
Class: .......................................................
 My Best Friends!

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Your pen pal from New York has written to you, asking about your best friends. Write
him/her a letter (100-120 words) describing:

ñ their physical appearance

ñ the kind of clothes they like wearing
ñ their character/personality
ñ why you like them

Dear ..........................,

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
Love,

......................................

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

17
 Teenage Life

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ You have just set up your own website. One of the pages is about teen life in the place where
you live. Stick or draw a picture and write about it. Include:

ñ places teenagers go ñ fun things they do ñ what they enjoy doing the most

[Link]

Let me tell you a few things about

teen life in ...................!

...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................

✓ Read your article to the class. Record yourself.

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

19
 Money Problems

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ You are a columnist for a teen magazine and you write the advice column. Read Linda’s problem and
write a response (80-100 words).

Dear Problemsolvers,
My parents give me $15 a week allowance, but I seem to spend it all in a couple of
days! I simply can’t save up! I am rather sociable and I go out a lot, but I wouldn’t
say that I’m careless with money. The money just isn’t enough! I tried talking to
my parents about it, but they refuse to increase my allowance. What can I do?
Please give me some advice.
Linda

Dear Linda,
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
Yours truly,
Problemsolvers

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

21
 Short Messages

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ This evening you are going to write some e-mails to your friends. Write quick e-mails (20-40
words) for the following:
ñ to remind somebody of an appointment ñ to thank somebody for a present
ñ to accept an invitation ñ to apologize for forgetting somebody’s birthday

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

23
 Our School

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Your class is conducting a survey in order to evaluate your school. Interview a classmate and
complete the evaluation form below.

School Evaluation Form

Name: ......................... Age: ............. Sex: Male Female
Rating (please circle one): Please add any comments,
(1) Excellent (2) Average (3) Poor suggestions, or remarks here:
Building/Location
..............................................
1. School location: (1) (2) (3)
..............................................
2. Building size: (1) (2) (3)
..............................................
3. Building condition: (1) (2) (3)
..............................................
4. Cleanliness: (1) (2) (3)
..............................................
Classrooms ..............................................
5. Classroom number: (1) (2) (3) ..............................................
6. Classroom size: (1) (2) (3) ..............................................
7. Classroom condition: (1) (2) (3) ..............................................
Teachers/Lessons/Facilities ..............................................
8. Teaching quality: (1) (2) (3) ..............................................
9. Variety of subjects: (1) (2) (3) ..............................................
10. Facilities & equipment ..............................................
(libraries, labs, sports ..............................................
equipment etc.): (1) (2) (3) ..............................................
..............................................
Cafeteria Food
..............................................
11. Food quality: (1) (2) (3)
..............................................
12. Food prices: (1) (2) (3)
..............................................

ñ Report your findings to the class. Record your presentation.

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

25
 Jobs

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Think about a job you would like to do and about a job you wouldn’t like to do. Write about
them for your school magazine, providing detailed information about:

ñ the qualifications needed for each job ñ the main responsibilities of each job
ñ the work hours ñ the salary offered for each job
ñ why you would/wouldn’t like to do that particular job

I would like to be ............................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................

I wouldn’t like to be .......................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................

(..................................)
your name, age

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

27
 “Use Less Stuff”

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Your school is organizing a “Use Less Stuff” Day and you have been asked to make a poster
to advertise the activities that will take place on that day. Include all the important events
and make the poster as interesting as possible. Include the following information:

ñ what the activities are ñ time/place of the activities

ñ Use the poster to present the activities to the class. Record your presentation.

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

29
 Endangered Species

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Choose an animal that is in danger of extinction and write an article about it for your school
magazine. Mention:

ñ where it lives/what its natural habitat is like ñ why it is in danger of becoming extinct
ñ what its physical characteristics are ñ what can be done to save it
ñ what it eats ñ how many of them are left in the wild

Stick or draw a picture to decorate your text.

One of the animal species that is in danger of extinction

nowadays is the ........................................................ . It lives

..................................................................................................

..................................................................................................

..................................................................................................

..................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

ñ Present the animal to the class. Record your presentation.

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

31
 A Trip to Remember

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Write a short story for a writing competition held by your local newspaper about a trip you
went on that was scary, dangerous, or disastrous. Include the time, place, who you went with,
and describe the events in order (120-150 words).

..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

33
 Travel Journal

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ You are a traveler visiting new and exciting places. Write in your travel journal describing
three days of your trip, and stick or draw pictures of the different places you visited.
Mention:
ñ the places you visited ñ how you went there ñ what the weather was like
ñ where you stayed ñ what you saw ñ who you met ñ what you did

............................................................................................................. (date/place)

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................. (date/place)

....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. (date/place)

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

35
 Glorious Food!

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Choose the food or drink you like best (e.g., milk, chocolate, etc.) and write an article about
it for your school newspaper (100-120 words). Stick or draw a picture. Mention:

ñ what kind of food/drink it is (e.g. fruit, dairy product, etc.) ñ its nutritional value
ñ how it can be used in cooking ñ how often it should be consumed ñ why you like it

........................................

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

ñ Present the food or drink of your choice to the class. Record your presentation.

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

37
 Healthy Eaters

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Your school is conducting a survey on teenagers’ eating habits. Interview a classmate and
complete the form below:

Healthy Eating Questionnaire

Name: ........................................ Age: ..............

1. Do you have a big breakfast? Yes No Sometimes

2. Do you eat quickly? Yes No Sometimes

3. Do you skip meals? Yes No Sometimes

4. Do you eat big meals? Yes No Sometimes

5. Do you drink plenty of water? Yes No Sometimes

6. Do you have snacks between meals? Yes No Sometimes

7. Do you take vitamin supplements? Yes No Sometimes

8. Do you drink sodas? Yes No Sometimes

9. Do you eat lots of fruit? Yes No Sometimes

10. Do you eat many vegetables? Yes No Sometimes

11. Do you eat a lot of salty foods? Yes No Sometimes

12. Do you have salad with your food? Yes No Sometimes

ñ Report your findings to the class. Record your presentation.

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

39
 Showtime!

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ Your school is organizing a theater festival. Decide on the theatrical play your class will put
on and make a flyer to advertise it. Include:

ñ the title of the play ñ the date and time of the performance
ñ who the actors and actresses will be ñ a short description of the play

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

41
 New TV Series

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ You are a scriptwriter and have an idea for a new TV series. Decide on the title, characters,
and setting and then write the summary of the first two episodes to present it to a major TV
channel.

Title: ................................................................................................................................................

Characters: ......................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................

Setting: ............................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................

EPISODE 1:
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................

EPISODE 2:
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

43
 Top-Three Gadgets

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ You are a journalist for an online hi-tech magazine and you have been asked to choose and
write about the top-three gadgets of the month. Stick or draw pictures and write about:

ñ what they are used for ñ how they work ñ how much they cost ñ why you recommend them

[Link]

.............................................................
.............................................................
.............................................................
.............................................................
.............................................................
............................................................. .............................................................
.............................................................
............................................................. .............................................................
............................................................. .............................................................
............................................................. .............................................................
............................................................. .............................................................
............................................................. .............................................................
............................................................. .............................................................

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

45
 Young Inventors

Name: ........................... Date: ........................... Class: ...........................

✓ You are taking part in a Young Inventors’ Competition with a new invention of yours. Fill
in the competition entry form and draw a picture of your invention.

Young Inventors’ Competition Entry Form

Name: ......................................................................
Age: ..........................................................................
Occupation: .............................................................
Tel: ...........................................................................
Address: ...................................................................

Name of Invention: .............................................

What does it do?

............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................

What is it made of?

............................................................................
............................................................................

What does it run on?

Electricity Batteries Solar power
Wind power Water power Other

Who is it for?
............................................................
............................................................

How would you rate this activity? Check (✓).

Excellent Good Fair Poor

47
 IV. Extra Activities

In this section, you can include anything you do inside and outside the classroom that demonstrates your
English language work. You can also write some comments (e.g., why you liked the activity, if you found it
difficult/easy, etc.) on the activity pages. It will be useful if you write the date you did the activity.
Remember, the choice of activities is yours. Every time you add something new, record it in the table on
the next page.

49
 My Selection!
Family Tree!

Type of Individual With corrections

Date Content Group Work
Material Work (from the teacher)

yes yes yes

no no no

yes yes yes

no no no

yes yes yes

no no no

yes yes yes

no no no

yes yes yes

no no no

51
 Contents
Family Tree!

✓ You can use this page to write the titles of the activities you choose to file in
your Language Portfolio.

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................................

53
Published by Express Publishing

Liberty House, New Greenham Park, Newbury,

Berkshire RG19 6HW
Tel: (0044) 1635 817 363
Fax: (0044) 1635 817 463
e-mail: inquiries@[Link]
[Link]

© Jenny Dooley — Virginia Evans, 2007

Illustrations: © Express Publishing, 2007

Published in 2007

Made in EU

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the publishers.

This book is not meant to be changed in any way.

55