An email from a friend

Read an email from a friend you haven't heard from for a long time to practise and improve your reading skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation

Reading text

Hi!

I've been meaning to write for ages and finally today I'm actually doing something about it. Not that I'm trying to make excuses for myself, it's been really hard to sit down and write, as I've been moving around so much. Since we last saw each other I've unpacked my bags in four different cities. This job has turned out to be more of a whirlwind than I expected, but it's all good!

I went from London to Prague to set up a new regional office there. You know I'd always wanted to go, but maybe I was imagining Prague in spring when I used to talk about that. Winter was really hard, with minus 15 degrees in the mornings and dark really early in the evening. But at least it was blue skies and white snow and not days on end of grey skies and rain, like at home. It's tough being away from home over Christmas, though, and Skype on Christmas Day wasn't really the same as being with everyone.

From there I was on another three-month mission to oversee the set-up of the office in New York. Loved, loved, loved New York! It's like being in one big TV show, as everywhere looks just a little bit familiar. I did every tourist thing you can think of when I wasn't working, and must have spent most of my salary on eating out. It was really hard to leave for the next job, especially as I kind of met someone (!) More about Michael later ...

So then I was posted to LA, which felt like a whole other country compared with the East Coast. I could definitely get used to that kind of outdoor, beach lifestyle, but I didn't spend as much time getting to know California as I could have because I was flying back to see Michael every other weekend. He came to see me when he could, but his job means he's often working at weekends, so he couldn't make the flight very often. Those three months flew by and then I was off again, to Frankfurt, which is where I am now. And … so is Michael! He got a month off work and we're trying to work out how we can be in the same place at the same time for a while. We figure the first step in that direction is getting married, which is also why I wanted to write – I can't get married without my oldest friend there! The wedding's going to be at home in London in September and I hope you can come!

Anyway, tell me all your news and I promise not to leave it so long this time!

Lots of love,

Kath

Task 1

Matching_MjMyMTk=.xml

Task 2

MultipleChoice_MjMyMjA=.xml

Discussion

What form of communication would you use to tell old friends important news?

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Language level

B2 Upper intermediate

Topics

family and friends

travel and transport

What form of communication would you use to tell old friends important news?

I tend to gravitate towards Messenger because in my country, everyone tend to use this app to maintain communication and connections with others. I rarely have importants news to tell my old friends but I sometimes ask them what's going on, how have you been etc. I am about to graduate from university so I think I would inform them about this event via Messenger, this is a good way to do so.

What form of communication would you use to tell old friends important news? To tell old friends important news, it is good to email because you the mail is an evidence of the communication. However, almost all my old friends prefer WhatsApp, so I must respect their choice to have a chance to get my message read. A harm of this mean is that changing the location may result in the loss of messages.

What form of communication would you use to tell old friends important news?

I would use an email telling them what it is happening over my life for a long time ago. I was also thinking in use Instagram social media, if we have already had contact, I would set up a brief message and attached relevant emojis to catch the attentation of my old friends.

Actually, I am using social media, especially Facebook, to inform my old friends regarding any essential situation in my life. I remember when I posted about my bachelor graduation and wedding ceremony, and in recent years I also posted about obtaining my master’s degree. So I am keeping them updated about my travel destinations and anything important to me.

I have gained a lot of knowledge through this site, and working with it is really easy. It has helped me a lot.

I use to keep in touch with my friend by using social media such as Whatsap or just by making a phone call. however; it has been hard sine I moved to Canada. Sending emails wasn't a commmon practice back home, but i'm trying to make it a habit.

I often use the internet such as video call and WhatsApp.

I would use text messages or voice notes on whatsapp to tell my old friends important news. Text messages are suitable if there's nothing much to say. Voice notes otherwise are adapted for long content. In the case my friends are able to discuss immediately, a whatsapp phone call is the best option.

In Vietnam, I normally keep in touch with my friends by Facebook, Instagram, or Zalo, and when having important news or calling old friends, I will call directly by Messenger because it is convenient.

To tell a friend really important news such as the coming of a baby, a big change in life or a marriage, I would make a video call. To me it is important to see the facial expressions and reactions. My second choice for important news would be a telephone call, then a WhatsApp voice message. If any of these possibilities of communication are available, I would send a written message by WhatsApp and lastly by email or letter. However, I find much more meaninfull to receive a written message to express appreciation or other kind of feelings.