MELICA PART 2: Model Essays for Lower Intermediate Candidates SPM 1119/2 (Writing) - Question 2
How can ESL teachers motivate lower intermediate learners to write? How can we try to convince them that they can actually write Part 2 essay even with their limited vocabulary? How can teachers prove to the weak ESL writers that they just need to present simple and basic ideas in their essays? Well, hopefully, the answers to all the three questions can be found in this MELICA Part 2. This second part offers lower intermediate candidates three model essays which I believe they could understand if not all, most of the words used.
No doubt, there are still some “difficult” words in the questions like health, house chores, advantages and disadvantages. To me, even though they are weak learners, they must still be exposed to B1 vocabulary which will appear in Part 3 of SPM 1119/2. Anyway, the topics chosen for Part 2 question are in line with the themes for CEFR English.
Exposing weak writers of English to sample or model essays can be ONE of the ways of improving their writing skills in SPM 1119/2. MELICA Part 2 presents a number of activities which teachers can carry out with their weak writers. The following are some suggested activities which teachers can adopt and adapt to suit their realities; needs, context, learning and teaching styles, availability of time and pupils’ readiness.
i) Examine the three introductory paragraphs. Highlight to the candidates three different techniques of writing their introduction; giving personal views (Model Essay 1), questioning (Model Essay 2) and repetition (Model Essay 3). Give them one question and let them try to write an introduction by applying one of the techniques.
ii) The model essay is given to the candidates. They are required to focus on how ideas are developed, in particular, the very simple yet relevant details. Some of the examples are underlined below:
Taken from Model Essay 1:
In my opinion, I must practise a healthy lifestyle because I do not want to be sick. I do not want to see a doctor. I do not want to take medicine. Moreover, when I am healthy, I can enjoy life. I can travel. I can go to Japan and Korea.
Taken from Model Essay 2:
Sweeping, cooking and cleaning toilets are some common house chores. Sometimes, I clean my bedroom. My bedroom is always dirty. My mother is angry to see my dirty room. I hate to clean my bedroom.
However, I like cooking. I like to cook fried rice and it is delicious. My mother loves it. In addition, my sister loves it too. Besides, I can also cook chicken curry. My father says my chicken curry is the best. My mother is not happy.
Taken from Model Essay 3:
What are the advantages of online learning? Firstly, we do not have to wear school uniform. We can wear what we want. I love to wear my shorts and t-shirt. Teachers cannot see what I wear. Next, I think I can relax more when I learn from home. I can stay in my air-conditioned room. I can switch off my camera and sleep.
Some people do not like online learning. Firstly, they cannot meet their friends. I miss my girlfriend, Lina. I always eat with her during recess. Moreover, sometimes, students do not understand when teachers teach online.
iii) underline linking words, connectors or cohesive devices. They are also encouraged to suggest other additional connectors or cohesive devices in the model essay.
iv) The candidates transfer the main idea and details or elaborations from the essay to a suitable mind-map. This activity can allow them to see how each main idea is developed.
v) In pairs, the candidates can examine the ideas in the model essay. They discuss and suggest other possible ideas and details that can be included to fulfil each task.
Notes:
1. MELICA stands for Model Essays for Lower Intermediate Candidates of SPM 1119/2.
2. Other model essays for lower intermediate candidates will be shared in this blog from time to time in future. Do subscribe this blog so that you won’t miss any of the latest sharing of materials.
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 125-150 words in an appropriate style.
Question 2
Your class has been discussing on ways to promote good health. Your teacher asked you to write an essay on your opinion about promoting healthy lifestyle.
In your essay, you should write about:
* activities to promote a healthy lifestyle
* one activity that family members can do together to stay healthy
* why is it important to practise a healthy lifestyle
Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Model Essay 1:
I want to be healthy. My family members want to have good health. All my friends also want to be healthy.
There are many activities to promote a healthy lifestyle. First, we can play football. I love football. We can also play badminton. We can play badminton with our friends. It is easy to play badminton. Some people love to swim because swimming is good for their heart.
Jogging is a good activity for family members to do together. Parents and their children can jog together. They can be healthy. They can jog at a park or mini-stadium. They can jog in the morning. Family members can jog for one hour. It is good for them.
In my opinion, I must practise a healthy lifestyle because I do not want to be sick. I do not want to see a doctor. I do not want to take medicine. Moreover, when I am healthy, I can enjoy life. I can travel. I can go to Japan and Korea.
In conclusion, we must be healthy. We must exercise. There are many ways to exercise. We do what we like. [186 words]
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 125-150 words in an appropriate style.
Question 2
Your class has been discussing on house chores. Your teacher asked you to write an essay on your opinion about the importance of doing house chores.
In your essay, you should write about:
* common house chores
* a house chore that you like doing
* why is it important to help each other to do house chores
Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Model Essay 2:
Do you like to do house chores? When do you do house chores? Who help you to do house chores?
Sweeping, cooking and cleaning toilets are some common house chores. Sometimes, I clean my bedroom. My bedroom is always dirty. My mother is angry to see my dirty room. I hate to clean my bedroom.
However, I like cooking. I like to cook fried rice and it is delicious. My mother loves it. In addition, my sister loves it too. Besides, I can also cook chicken curry. My father says my chicken curry is the best. My mother is not happy.
We must help our family members to do house chores because we will be happy. I am happy when my brother helps me to cook. My mother is happy when my sister helps her to mop the floor. Furthermore, when we help each other, our relationship gets better. I love my family members and they love me too.
In conclusion, when we do house chores, we learn to be responsible. Let us do house chores together! [177 words]
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 125-150 words in an appropriate style.
Question 2
Your class has been discussing on online learning. Your teacher asked you to write an essay on your opinion about learning from home.
In your essay, you should write about:
* advantages of online learning
* disadvantages of online learning
* how to make online learning better
Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Model Essay 3:
Online, online, online. Some people say online learning is good but some people say it is not good.
What are the advantages of online learning? Firstly, we do not have to wear school uniform. We can wear what we want. I love to wear my shorts and t-shirt. Teachers cannot see what I wear. Next, I think I can relax more when I learn from home. I can stay in my air-conditioned room. Sometimes, I switch off my camera and sleep.
Some people do not like online learning. Firstly, they cannot meet their friends. I miss my girlfriend, Lina. I always eat with her during recess. Moreover, sometimes, students do not understand when teachers teach online.
In my opinion, online learning must have some online games. Teenagers love to play games. Teachers can play games, maybe for five minutes. Besides, students should have more breaks. Online classes are too long. Students feel tired.
To conclude, online classes are good but teachers and students have to do their best. [168 words]
