A letter from Italy (informal letter, ellipsis of words)

Hi,

Writing this in the cafe. We are in Venice, this is the 5th day here. We are in our second week of our two weeks away.

We spent 3 days in Rome, hotel was amazing, safe and clean. We did some shopping and walking, then we went to Venice by train. We did sightseeing and visited some relatives and of course went shopping.

Tomorrow we'll be going to Milan and planning to go sightseeing, shopping and visiting friends. I think we'll be back home on Sat, of course we need a rest after this amazing weekend.

Well, until again Mum.

Love,

Me & my friends

Amani
Intermediate A

A letter from Spain (informal, ellipsis of words)

Barcelona, Spain

Hi,

Writing to you while attending a live music concert in Barcelona. Flew to Madrid in May 1st, then stayed with friends for five days. Had a nice trip by tour buses around Madrid, been also invited for Paella - it was delicious. Had an amazing time with friends. Madrid is a crowded city, a bit hot like Tripoli. Been for a picnic in the forest - had barbecue.

Now watching live open concert, sunset atmosphere is unbelievable. Going to Alps in France tomorrow by train. Can't wait for my first time on ice - skiing and swimming in the lake.

Going back to Spain on the 13th directly by bus, then to Libya on Sunday 14th. 

Will write again. Take care.

Regards,

Omar
Intermediate A

Letter writing practice - Khaled

Call Centre Office

0987654321

Khowra@mail.ly

Al Fatah Street
AboSeth Tripoli
Libyan Company

March 10, 2015

Re: leave request

Dear Mr. Jafaree

I am writing to request a leave from work because I am planning my vacation during this tenure, as I have not used any leaves since July 2014. However, I would like to bring to your attention that vocational leave has been discussed with my reporting manager and I do not have any pending tasks at my end, and during my vacation I will be reachable on my email.

I would like to request 10 days from March 23, 2015 to April 2, 2015.

During this vacation I will be handing over my responsibilities to my colleague Mr. Khaled who will be handling any related tasks in my absence. Furthermore, in case of any unexpected developments or emergencies, I shall be available to contact on phone and through email.

Should you need any further details, please do not hesitate to contact me on my email or phone number.

Thanking you for your consideration and looking forward to a favourable response.

Yours sincerely,
Jafar

Khalid Ali
Intermediate

Letter writing practice - Khawla

Khawla M Khafafa

To: Mr. Jack Wilson

12/3/2015

Taking time off work

Dear Mr. Jack Wilson,

I am writing this letter in order to ask you about giving me permission to take some time off work tomorrow morning.

I am going to visit my doctor tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock to do some checks on my body because I have not felt well recently. I will meet my doctor in his clinic. It is about fifteen kilometres away from work, so it will take me about twenty minutes to get there and the checks will take at least two hours. That's why I am asking you to give me permission for three hours outside work. 

Mrs. Roby will cover all my work and she will send the banking business, also she will answer my phone and check the emails.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

With my regards,
Khawla M. Khafafa

Intermediate

Letter writing practice - Reem

Soug Aljouma

16 Street

Mr. Torban
Libyan Company
R2004@mail.com
Tel: 00175432

Re: a holiday request

Date: 01/03/2015

Dear Mr. Torban,
I would like to get some time off work because in the last few days I read and advert on a website for a course in advanced English in one of the best centres in the city which I think will improve my English. Therefore, I would like to apply for an annual leave to attend this intensive course. The period of this course will be three months and it might extend for another month.

Also, please be informed that I have arranged with my colleague, Radia, to cover for me during the course. She is fully aware fo my work and is quite familiar with the system. 

I am looking forward to your approval of my request. Please feel free to contact me for any further information.

Sincerely yours,
Reem Albakoush

Intermediate

Letter writing practice - Alia

Libyan Company

Abusitta nearby Alfurisia Club

Tripoli, Libya

T: +218(21)1234567

Fax: +218(21)7654321

Date: 8/3/2015

To: Hatem Turban
Email: H.Turban@mail.ly

Re: Leave request letter

Mr. Turban

I am writing to request your approval for leave from 1st of April until 26th April 2015, because I have a health condition that requires an operation. I will need two weeks after surgery for recovery before I am able to return to work.

I will make certain that all my work duties are current before leaving andI will work closely with you and the other members of the department to make sure that all of my responsibilities are taken careof during my absence.

Thank you for your considerationa nd support. I am looking forwad to hearing from you. Please let me know of your decision your earliest so I can make travel arrangements.

Kind regards,
Alia Ajaj

Intermediate

Letter writing practice - Abdurrahman

Address: Arada Street

Phone Number: 3479213

Email Address: Abdozx@mail.com

To: Mr Adernawe
Address: Al-Jomhorya Street
Box Number: 34210

Re: A holiday request
Date: 9/3/2015

Dear Mr. Adernawe,

I am writing this letter to request some time off work.

I need this holiday because of my older brother's wedding. Also, it is the first wedding we have in my family and I cannot miss it. 

Moreover, my brother needs me in his wedding to help him in a lot of things. As you know, weddings in Libya was and still form the biggest event in Libyan families.

I think I need about 5 days for the wedding and 2 days to prepare and buy things for the wedding. All my work is on the computer and Internet and I know that it is difficult to leave my work and I know every 15 minutes I have to check the website to protect it from hackers.

I have told my best free 3 friends, who are my colleagues and work in the same room about covering my work when I am on holiday and they said that there would be no problem to do my work when I an on holiday.

Finally, if you need any details you can contact me on my email address at the top of the letter.

Kind regards,
Abdurrahman Ben Moftah

Intermediate

Letter writing practice - Kamal

Kamal Rwemi

Libyan.Co Tripoli, Libya

Phone No: 0921234567

Email: K. rwemi@xyz.ly

Mr. Hatem Turban
Libyan Company
Customer Service Department

2-5-2015
Re: Leave request

Dear Mr. Turban,

I'm writing this letter to request a leave to go away for five days from the 8th of may to visit my cousin in Italy because I am invited to his wedding.

I would like to inform you that during my vacation my colleagues, Emad and Ramzi, will take my place in the office when necessary. If my request is approved, and if there are any questions about the work at present, my supervisor will have all of the information you need. 

For any further details, please do not hesitate to contact me on my email or phone number.

Thank you for your support and I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,
Kamal Rwemi

Intermediate

Solving childhood obesity

Children these days are suffering from obesity. The first cause of obesity is junk food. Mostly children eat burgers, pizzas and noodles. These types of food are easily available to them in school. Children love to buy chips, chocolate and ice cream for lunch. Moreover, parents are working and don't have time to cook at home. Parents often buy dinner for their children instead of cooking food at home. This problem can be solved by teaching children to cook healthy food for themselves and banning junk food from schools.

 

The second cause of obesity is technology. Children spend most of their time watching television or playing video games on computer. This technology makes them lazy. Parents can take their children to parks for playing with friends. Furthermore, schools can add sports in their courses.

 

Finally, the main causes of obesity are unhealthy eating and not enough physical activities.

Hanan Ibrahim Rhoma
Intermediate

 

Language learners

For the vast majority of language learners, myself included, we learn another language so that we can speak it. As I see it, we are not learning it so we can read the newspapers, we are not learning so that we can write letters to people. I'm absolutely convinces that we may do bot of these, and enjoy them as activities; but I've no doubt that they are some of the reasons for our learning. As well as we want to speak; I've always felt that we want to be in conversations in which we both understand and are understood.
 
To me, young children will easily learn a foreign language better compared to adolescents. Furthermore, it could be easy for them to practice and enhance the usage when they become older.

Sondes Sleman Zarra
Intermediate

Do you like to draw?

Paint is a program used to draw, colour, and edit pictures and to open it you will need to click the start menu, click all programs, click accessories, and then click Paint.

When you start paint, you'll see a blank window with a few tools and the following instructions will help you to draw a line, for example:

1. Remember that the toolbox is the box which is on your left. Click the line tool ( \ ).
2. In the colour box, click the colour you want to use.
3. To draw, drag the pointer across the drawing area, only try to avoid clicking on the other tools.
4. Make sure you don't lose your work and to do that, on the file menu, click save. In the save as type select the file format you want. In the file name box type the name and finally, click save.
5. Don't forget to shut down your computer if you complete your work.

Sondes Sleman Zarra
Intermediate

Learning a Language

I'm absolutely convinced that learning a language takes time and dedication.

I have no doubt that there are many good reasons for learning a language, I'm positive that emigration is one of them, like when you move to a different country or region. Learning the local language will help you to communicate and integrate with the local community. 

As I see it, work is the most important reason. If your work involves regular contact with speakers of a foreign language, being able to talk to them in their own language will help you to communicate with them.

Knowledge of foreign languages may also increase your chances of finding a new job, getting a promotion or transfer overseas, or of going on foreign business trips. I have always felt that I need to learn a language to spread our religion and give a good view to other people about it.

I strongly believe that learning any language will improve our minds; I've always felt that multiple language speakers are better at remembering lists or sequences, so hopefully I want to be one of them.

Sana Sleman Zaraa
Intermediate

Moving in

First, I'm sorry for not being there while you are moving in. I hope that you like the place. I have prepared lunch for you, you'll find it in the fridge. If you want to go out today you will need to follow these instructions.

1.  First, don't forget to take your money with you, and make sure you bring your keys with you and you close the door. 
2. To get tot he nearest bus station, go straight down this street, turn left at the traffic light. When you get to the restaurant turn right. The bus station is on your left.
3. Whatever yo do try to come home early.
4. remember that the bread is not enough for tomorrow.

Have a nice time!

Sana Sleman Zaraa
Intermediate

Health Problems

Bad health services are the most obvious problem in Libya. The Libyan people have complained for ages from bad health services at the level of hospitals, polyclinics and even private clinics. These places are suffering from reduced perfect health care that patients need, in addition to absences of health monitoring systems.

Although we have a lot of professional doctors, many of them have gone outside for learning. However, a few of them have returned back and they haven't found the personal, government or even financial support which makes them prefer to stay abroad. Patients can't find what they need because there are deficits in medicine, investigations, equipment, nursing and even emotional support. All of that encourages most Libyan patients to go abroad for all kinds of medical care. 

We have a lot of options that allow health services to improve the level that satisfies Libyan patients:

Firstly, the government or especially the Ministry of Public Health should make serious decisions to change hospitals and polyclinics' managers and employees, because I think that is the biggest problem of bad health services in Libya. Additionally,  managers should take intensive courses on how to organize and rebuild the people's confidence about the public health services. Also, arrangements with external perfect health companies that will help in the organization of health services. Furthermore, the law should take place in our hospitals to punish everyone who consciously allows him to play with patients souls.

Finally, Libyan people should cooperate with each other, and we hope to find a listening ear for that.

Ezdehar Hussien Elmhabbes

Intermediate

Things you need to know

Hi Susi,

I am on holiday and I want to give you some instructions that you will need to know.

• First, take the room's key from the reception.

• Then open the windows and allow the air to get inside.

• Next, close the windows and switch on the right button of the air conditioner. Whatever you do, don't press the left button because it's connected to the generator.

• If you want to eat, there is food in the refrigerator. You will need to heat it in the microwave beside the cooker. Don't forget to switch off the microwave after you finish.

• Try to avoid using the sink in the corner because it's out of order.

• Remember that the rubbish is collected early in the mornings. You will need to put the bin outside at night.

• Finally, make sure you lock the doors and windows before you go to sleep, and don't forget to switch off the gas bottle and remove the plugs from the electricity.

See you soon. Call me if there are any problems.

Ezdehar Hussien
Intermediate

Thoughts

I followed the program Thoughts on TV last month and I liked the episode about car parking. I live in Tripoli, and as it's the capital of Libya, there aren't many parking areas for parking cars.

Moreover, I work at Tripoli Medical Centre and sometimes I can't find a place to park my car even though there are special areas for employees.  In addition, sometimes you have to wait for hours because someone puts his car in front of your car or even worse you have to park your car on the pavement in case there is no parking space.

The Libyan Ministry of Transport must take the necessary steps to provide convenient and fast public transportation and underground parking lots. This will probably take some time, but it will definitely solve the problem. 

By taking these steps the use of cars would be reduced, crowding at parking areas would be avoided and all people will reach their places on time and be more comfortable.

Mona Hafid Ahmed
Intermediate

I forgot to tell you something!

Hi Jamila,

Here are some instructions I forgot to tell you about:

• First of all, before you go to bed, make sure you close all the doors and windows.

• Next, whatever you do, don't open the main door after 8pm unless you know who is coming. Be sure to use the door's lens, it's safer.

• You will need to boil the cow's milk in the fridge before you drink it.

• Finally, remember that the plants on the balcony need irrigation from time to time.

.... Call me if there are any problems.

Khawla Al-Zahra
Intermediate

Giving instructions

Downloading Skype

• On the internet, enter www.skype.com in the address line to open the homepage of the Skype website.
• Click the download button on the Skype homepage to open the download page.
• After you click to download the program you may be asked to open the program.
• Skype will then begin to download to your computer.
• Don't open or run  the program during the download process.
• If the download doesn't start automatically you will be able to start it manually by clicking on start download again.

Hanan Ibrahim Rhoma
Intermediate

Dear Fadila

Dear Fadila,

I am sorry if you are coming while I am on holiday. Here are some instructions. Try to use them until I come.

• First, you will need to park your car in the building's garage No. 3.
• Remember that my washing machine is under repair, so you had better take your clothes to the laundry.
• Don't forget to put the rubbish bin in the kitchen's balcony, then you have to move it outside every weekend where it's collected.
• Whatever you do, don't forget to close the windows when you leave, and make sure to control your noise, especially at night.
• Finally, keep your room's key well, because it's the only copy I have.

Mona Hafid Ahmed
Intermediate