5 draft: Application letter.

Dear Sir,
I am writing in response to your notice in the May 6 El Mercurio. I would like to be considered for the position of English teacher in your public school. I have just finished my degree in literature and I hope you find that my studies in English at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso along with my pre-service experience as English teacher, my knowledge in Portuguese and Frances, and my informatics knowledge, would qualify me for the position.

I am a professional English teacher. I graduated from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso one year ago. During my studies, I took part in a number of classes with children of all ages, and different social classes, which aimed to help, most of them, poor children in the suburbs of Valparaíso. At College, I was involved in many schools research in which two I did my best and also defined my vocation. The first one was in my first year as student in Alianza Francesa School. This observation class was full of joy, teamwork, which I’m very good at, and challenges that I overcame with no problems. My second research was in a public school in my last year. This totally marked my way of being an English teacher, and that is why I think I might be useful for this position. I met children with so many problems; rare illnesses, domestic violence, famine, and so on. I’m very good at sympathize with other children’s problems and also I consider myself a goal-driven person, where, I think, this position has many goals so it has extra incentive to work hard. Also, being outgoing and tolerant  have helped me to deal with adversities. I believe that my strong educational experience will make me a very competitive candidate for this position. Also I can contribute with my leadership skills and my ability to work under pressure.

Although, I’ve worked every summer since I was 18, my most recent position, as substitute teacher, which has been the most rewarding. I was in a highly regarded school in Santiago, where many of my partners were anxious to get the job. I was chosen among 20 others teachers, and it was just for a substitution. They said that they were pleased with my interview, my curriculum and my knowledge in other languages. During the month, I was able to look after three classes; guide the students, create activities, review tests and motivate students when they were tired. And working with other teachers, even though I was a substitute, it was great and I felt very comfortable. Apart from that, I provided exceptional contributions to the school and at the end of my substitution I was congratulated by the principal head.

More information about my education and experience is included on the enclose résumé, but I would be grateful and I will definitely appreciate the opportunity to meet with you at your convenience to discuss my application. You can leave me a message any time (77665174) or valentina.alvarez21@gmail.com. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,
Valentina Álvarez.

Third draft: Written test

             The performance-enhancing drug is to do with gene-doping. Gene-doping is an outgrowth of gene therapy. But, instead of injecting DNA to a person’s body for a damage or missing gene, gene-doping involves injecting DNA for the purpose of enhancing the athlete’s performance. These whole processes become athletes with more power and they feel more confident with the work that they are doing. In order to all this, society should accept and promote that athletes take drugs in order to complete in high-level competitions such as the Olympics.

            Gene-doping has a lot of advantages, but also, there is a huge number of people that disagree with this performance-enhancing drugs. For example, all the staff related to the Olympics game, which few years ago agreed that this drug is dangerous and it has serious complications in the athlete’s body. There are many cases of people that now are in poor health because of this. And also there is a minority, people that have vast experience in terms of athletes that are totally against this performance because they think that it’s not natural and safe, and because it doesn’t represent what the athlete is.

            However, scientists have said that these drugs build up the strength of the athletes, with a lot of exercise and a good diet. In the last Olympics game, many athletes won because of these drugs, and they yet haven’t had side effects. A lot of them grew up doing this, but others have even gave up doing it. Those who carry on using these drugs feel really happy and proud, although they mention that taking part of is more important than winning.

            All things considered, it will be fair enough that the society accepts and promotes this performance-enhancing. It’s their choice and their body. The Olympics staff should get down to drugs because it’s a very controversial topic, and rethink about drugs. In my opinion it’s the best invention, but only for athletes of high-level competitions. Let’s face it, we are in a different era and we all should be open minded. 

Fourth draft: Formal letter

                                                                              2385 Avenue Salvador Allende

                                                                                                                         Santiago, Chile

                                                                                                                          April 22, 2013

Dear Sir,

            I’m writing to ask for more information about the “African safari” holiday that was advertised in Moneda’s subway. I’m a university as well as my boyfriend, and we are very interested in this trip so we would like more details about it.

            Firstly, I would like to know about the sort of conditions that you have for the holiday. Could you tell me how much is it and if it includes the flight and the hotel/cabin or just the flight? Also I was wondering if there is any extra. Would it be possible if you could tell me if there’s any weight limit because I have problems in choosing the most suitable clothes. About the hotel/cabin in which we are going to stay, I would like to know if meals are included in the prices, and what kind of food it is, because I’m allergic to spicy food so it would be great if you could let the chef know about that, if possible.

            Secondly, I would be grateful if you could tell me what kind of accommodation is available. I would like you to reserve me a place, provided that the safety of the trip can be guaranteed. I would prefer not to share a room with anybody else, unless is there any other single room for us.

            Thirdly, I was very lucky to know Africa when I was 5 years old because my family and I helped a little boy called Abdou who was in poor health, it is hard for me to remember if my parents injected me some sort of medication for going there unfortunately, I don’t have any communication with them, so I wonder whether you could possibly give me details about the diseases and health risks in the Amazon area, and also about accident insurance and how safe it is.

            Finally, would it be possible to give me some information about the equipment that is provided? Do you think I could bring my computer? I’m a very hardworking student so I’m always studying.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

A. R. VALENTINA

Second draft: Description of an event.

It all started when I was in Brazil four years ago. My mom and I decided to go to “Santos”, a beach near to Sao Paulo, where my uncle has a flat very close to the beach. My uncle told me that it was an incredible beach, so I was very excited and fascinated.

                It turned out to be a nightmare. The day that we arrived to Santos, I ran to the beach for sunbath, like always I didn’t use sunscreen because according to me and my stupid theory that I consider myself brunette, I’ve always thought that  sun never burns in a heavy way on me. So there I was, very relaxed, until I fell asleep. After two hours, I woke up and I realized that it was time for lunch, so I went to the flat, where my mother was cooking. At the moment that I entered to the kitchen my mom was in shock; “Valen, you’re insolated!” she yell.

                That night, was the worst ever. I cried like a baby, I couldn’t sleep at all, my skin hurt so bad that my mom didn’t know what to do. After that night, my mother ran to the drugstore and she bought me “Caladril”, a cream that is use for burns and itching. In the end, the few next days were also a nightmare. I couldn’t take long showers, despite it was hot. I had to spend all my holidays with a towel over my chest, and not to mention that wearing clothes was hell.

                All in all, since then I’ve been in love of “Caladril”, and I learned that every time that I go to the beach I must use sunscreen. I think that without my mother’s help, I wouldn’t be able to survive to that awful summer.

Valentina Álvarez.
Hi, here's the link of my informative speech about "Technology in the future".


http://my.brainshark.com/Technology-in-the-future-689626727

First draft: ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Sciences and humanities: both important.

            Sciences and humanities are both ancient and great traditions. Both are vital and necessary elements of a balanced education. That much should be a statement of the obvious. It is only when we focus on their different strengths that we enter into an interesting and different discussion. Some people, over time, have been saying that sciences and math are more difficult than humanities-based courses; therefore people should focus on becoming scientists, preferably, doctors.

            This is not true. There is not a winner in this contest between humanities and sciences. The two areas are very different, but it’s possible to have one without the other.

            Every English student can say this with experience; in every first student years, they had to do a lot of research on internet and books, because English is all about vocabulary, words, sentences, reading, etc. So, without the knowledge on how to do a power point presentation or a brainshark video, our studies on English wouldn’t be complete. With all the advances in technology, we must have a basic knowledge.

            At the end, as time passes by, we are all going to increase our abilities on sciences, as also in humanities. As future teachers, we will have to be able to make good presentations, schedules, and all that has to do with teach to students. All in all, it’s impossible to have sciences without humanities. For me, nowadays, are both important, obviously I know and use more humanities than sciences, and without sciences I wouldn’t be a complete and an advanced student.