Exercise: Example of task sheets for apprentices
Transcrição
Exercise: Example of task sheets for apprentices
│ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │ Uwe Grunwald | Valckenburgschule, Ulm, Germany| June 2010 Corresponding subjects Mobile task sheets PT2 Exercise: Example of task sheets for apprentices Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1. Fact sheet: Basic information ............................................................................................................ 2 2. Fact sheet: Important phrases used in an application ...................................................................... 2 3. Fact sheet: How to elaborate a CV ................................................................................................... 5 4. Multiple choice quiz: Letter of application ......................................................................................... 5 5. Fill-in-the-blank exercise: Preparing a job interview ......................................................................... 6 Purpose This paper illustrates the work of one of the project's teachers with his students. This learning unit is composed of several elements from one overarching subject. The learning unit is meant to support students in writing an application for an apprentice placement in a foreign country. This paper aims to inspire VET teachers in creating teaching activities – either within the same subject or related to other professional issues of the students' specific vocational education. Furthermore, the paper offers inspiration to creation of learning tasks solved in unconventional venues. Introduction The exercise contains several elements that are relevant, when students themselves have to search and apply for an apprentice placement in a dual vocational system. It can also be used in learning how to write an ordinary job application. As preparation, the teacher elaborated learning materials for the students and sent these materials by e-mail. This exercise was carried out by German students during the project. The students were asked to find (unconventional) places to work on the material, and in this way, a coffee bar and bus stops became places of study. The smartphones' main functionalities used in this exercise were Quickoffice, Internet and email. The exercise can also be combined with language instruction. PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 1 │ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │ 1. Fact sheet: Basic information How to write a letter of application: The most important elements of an application letter are mentioned here. The student receives general information and instructions to consider before starting. All this should be delivered in readable quality on his/her smartphone. Letter of application - your address (with telephone no., e-mail) - date (December 2, 2008 or 2nd December 2008) - name und address of recipient of the application - title of the person the letter is addressed to (find out his/her name) Mr, Mrs, Miss - subject – bold , RE: („with reference to“) - or only opening paragraph: In reference to our recent telephone conversation, I am sending you my application for the position … - Now your freely written application text follows, pointing out your personal skills - Polite parting: „ Yours sincerely“ + signature and printed name - Enc: „Enclosure“ e.g. CV 2. Arouse interest: You want the company to become interested in you, so make your letter of application something special. Think about ways you can make your application more memorable. Basic Information1 A letter of application is probably the most important business letter you will have to write in your professional career, as the product on offer is YOU. As a consequence, you will try to present yourself as best as possible and convince the company to invite you to a job interview. The first step in marketing yourself is your letter of application. 4. Convince the reader: To make your qualifications and experience more convincing, attach official certificates and testimonials, and refer to your CV/résumé and other documents. 1. Opening: When writing a solicited application you should always refer to the job advertisement and the job you want to apply for, whereas you only have to state the source of information about the company and a short description of the possible job in an unsolicited application. 3. Create desire: Highlight your qualifications, as well as experience and interests that are relevant for the vacancy, and convince your future employer that you are the most suitable person for the job. Be careful not to exaggerate, but do not leave anything out that could prove to be an advantage over your competitors. Moreover, show your motivation and add some ideas of what you want to try to achieve in your new job. 5. Move the reader to action: You should end your letter of application by asking to be considered for the job as well as for an interview. Do not forget to add when an interview would be possible and convenient for you. Apart from these steps you should be careful not to write too much. Thus, you should pay attention to the ABC rule This rule says: Be accurate, brief and clear in your letter. Do not say more than necessary and always bear in mind that your letter should not be longer than 20 lines. 2. Fact sheet: Important phrases used in an application 2 This fact sheet consists of examples of phrases in different parts of an application letter . There is one phrase in English. The translation into the students' native language is added. The student receives advice on opening phrases, phrases for the middle part, and closing phrases. He/she uses this information in solving the quiz task sheet. In spite of the huge amount of information in this fact sheet, experience shows that it is possible to put the information into a readable format for a smartphone. PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 2 │ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │ a) Referring to the source of information In yesterday’s/today’s issue of … (name of paper/magazine) you advertised the position of… In the … issue of … (name of paper/ magazine) you advertised the I was interested to read your advertisement in last week’s edition of the … It is with interest that I read your advertisement in last week’s edition of In der gestrigen Ausgabe von... haben Sie eine Stelle als… ausgeschrieben. In der Ausgabe von... vom… haben Sie eine Stelle als… ausgeschrieben. Mit Interesse las ich Ihre Stellenanzeige in der Ausgabe der… von letzter Woche Mit Interesse las ich Ihre Stellenanzeige in der Ausgabe der… von letzter Woche b) 2. Starting an unsolicited letter of application I am writing to inquire if there is an opening in your company for a ... I understand you are looking for someone with … (a good commercial grounding). I am writing to inquire whether you have a vacancy in your firm Ich möchte mich erkundigen, ob es in Ihrem Unternehmen eine freie Stelle für ..… gibt. Ich habe gehört, dass Sie jemanden mit … (guten kaufmännischen Kenntnissen) Ich schreibe Ihnen, um mich zu erkundigen, ob Sie in Ihrer Firma eine freie Stelle haben. c) 3. Applying for a vacancy I wish to apply for the advertised position. I would like you to consider my application for the advertised position. Following our telephone conversation, I am sending you my personal documentation. As discussed on the phone today, I am sending you my personal documentation. Having completed my training as a/an I am seeking a change because I want to extend my knowledge of marketing. Ich möchte mich um die ausgeschriebene Stelle bewerben Ich möchte mich um die ausgeschriebene Stelle bewerben Wie in unserem heutigen Telefonat verabredet/besprochen, übersende ich Ihnen hiermit meine Bewerbungsunterlagen. Wie in unserem heutigen Telefonat besprochen, übersende ich Ihnen hiermit meine Bewerbungsunterlagen Nach Abschluss meiner Ausbildung als … suche ich eine Anstellung als/in … Ich möchte mich verändern, weil ich meine Marketingkenntnisse erweitern will. d) 4. Giving information As you will see from the enclosed curriculum vitae/résumé … I am currently attending … (school) where I am enrolled in a course in business administration. I am computer literate. I speak fluent English and have a basic knowledge of French After my (vocational) training I worked for a local export firm for four years. PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 3 Wie Sie dem beiliegenden Lebenslauf entnehmen können, … Zurzeit besuche ich … (Schule), wo ich einen Kurs in Betriebswirtschaft absolviere. Ich habe umfassende Computerkenntnisse. Ich spreche fließend Englisch und habe Grundkenntnisse in Französisch. Nach meiner Berufsausbildung war ich vier Jahre bei einer ortsansässigen Exportfirma tätig. │ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │ During my studies, I did two internships abroad. Während des Studiums habe ich zwei Praktika im Ausland absolviert. e) 5. Motivation for the job I hope to be able to use/apply my skills/experience in … in the advertised position I am confident that I will be able to use/apply my skills/experience in … in the advertised position. During my training, I have taken a great interest in working (together) with … I am applying for the position offered because my present job does not offer me any promotion prospects. I am seeking a change, as I think your firm offers me better opportunities. This job would give me the opportunity to extend my knowledge of … /to use my IT skills. I wish to work abroad and make use of my knowledge of languages. I am applying for the position offered because I would like to move on to a job with more responsibility. My personal skills will enable me to work as an effective member of your team. I am prepared to work overtime during the busy times of the year. f) In der ausgeschriebenen Position hoffe ich, meine Kompetenzen/Erfahrungen in … einbringen zu können. In der ausgeschriebenen Position hoffe ich, meine Kompetenzen/Erfahrungen in … einbringen zu können. Die Arbeit mit … hat mich schon während meiner Ausbildung sehr interessiert. Ich bewerbe mich für die ausgeschriebene Stelle, weil mir mein derzeitiger Job keine Aufstiegsmöglichkeiten bietet. Ich suche mich zu verändern, weil ich glaube, dass mir Ihre Firma bessere Möglichkeiten bietet. Diese Stelle würde mir die Möglichkeit bieten, meine Kenntnisse über … auszuweiten/ meine ITFähigkeiten einzusetzen. Ich möchte im Ausland arbeiten und meine Fremdsprachenkenntnisse anwenden. Ich bewerbe mich für die ausgeschriebene Stelle, weil ich gerne einen Job mit mehr Verantwortung hätte. Meine persönlichen Fähigkeiten erlauben es mir, als effizientes Mitglied in Ihrem Team zu arbeiten. Ich bin bereit, in den stressigen Phasen des Jahres Überstunden zu machen. 6. Closing sentences I enclose my CV/résumé with this letter. Should you require further information about my qualifications I would be pleased to quote references. The names of two referees are given below. I can give you the following names as references. My present employer, …, is informed of my application and would be willing to act as a referee. For information about my command of English I would refer you to Mag. …(Name). I am available for an interview at any time. PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 4 Ich füge meinen Lebenslauf diesem Schreiben bei. Sollten Sie weitere Informationen über meine Qualifikationen benötigen, bin ich gern bereit, Referenzen anzugeben. Beiliegend finden Sie die Namen von zwei Referenzen. Als Empfehlung kann ich Ihnen die folgenden Namen geben. Mein derzeitiger Arbeitgeber, … (Name), weiß von meiner Bewerbung und wäre bereit, als Auskunftgeber zu fungieren. Für Auskünfte über meine Kenntnisse der englischen Sprache möchte ich Sie an Mag. … (Name) verweisen. Für ein Vorstellungsgespräch stehe ich jederzeit │ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │ I am available for an interview at your convenience and can be contacted at my home telephone number. I am available for an interview whenever it suits you. I would be delighted to be invited to an interview. I look forward to hearing from you. zur Verfügung. Ich stehe Ihnen jederzeit für ein Vorstellungsgespräch zur Verfügung und bin unter meiner privaten Telefonnummer erreichbar. Ich stehe Ihnen jederzeit für ein Vorstellungsgespräch zur Verfügung. Über eine Einladung zu einem persönlichen Gespräch würde ich mich sehr freuen. Ich freue mich darauf, bald von Ihnen zu hören. 3. Fact sheet: How to elaborate a CV The student receives a list of the most important elements of a CV in a readable quality on his smartphone. Curriculum Vitae (CV) Structure: Selection must be relevant for the position you apply for 1. personal details 2. job objective/career objective/job target 3. work experience / employment history 4. achievements or accomplishments 5. education and qualifications 6. additional skills 7. hobbies/interests 8. references 4. Multiple choice quiz: Application letter For solving this quiz exercise, the student must have read the advice on opening phrases, phrases in the middle part of the application and closing phrases in the fact sheet. "You want to apply for a summer job as a volleyball trainer. Choose the right expression for the following passages in the text of the application letter." 1. Referring to the source of information a. I am available for an interview whenever it suits you. b. During my training, I have taken a great interest in working (together) with … c. I am writing to inquire whether you have a vacancy in your firm. d. I speak fluent English and have a basic knowledge of French. e. I was interested to read your advertisement on your website (Right answer: e) 2. Giving information a. I understand you are looking for someone with … (good physical fitness) b. I wish to apply for the advertised position c. As you will see from the enclosed curriculum vitae/résumé … PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 5 │ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │ d. In addition to my (vocational) training, I work for a sports club as a youth coach. e. I am available for an interview at any time. (Right answer: c, d) 3. Motivation for the job a. For information about my command of English, I would refer you to…(Name). b. This job would give me the opportunity to extend my knowledge of … /to use my skills c. In the … issue of … (name of paper/magazine), you advertised the position of… d. I am writing to inquire if there is an opening in your company for a ... e. I am confident that I will be able to use my skills/experience in … in the advertised position (Right answer: b, e) 4. Closing sentences a. I would be delighted to be invited to an interview. b. I am currently attending … (school) where I am enrolled in a course in business administration. c. I am writing to inquire whether you have a vacancy in your firm. d. I look forward to hearing from you. e. Should you require further information about my qualifications, I would be pleased to quote references. (Right answer: a, d, e) 5. Fill-in-the-blank exercise: Preparing a job interview Three PowerPoint slides are finished by the student with the smartphone’s Quickoffice: 1 2 Jobpilot, Karriere-Guide Clarke, David. Focus On Modern Business Communication. Berlin/Linz: Cornelsen Verlag und Veritas Verlag, 2006. 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