Class Assignment # 3
Reports and Letters of Application
Upstream. Upper Intermediate, SB, pp. 56-60
Date Due: November 27-29, 2006
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posted by eConnections @ 4:59 PM
18 comments
18 Comments:
To: Rob Fulton, Dean
From: Jessica Santon
Subject: Suggestions to prevent cheating among students
Date: 25th November 2006
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to comment on the students’ tendency to copy coursework they have to do themselves and to make recommendations for possible solutions of the problem.
Copycat coursework
Tutors are satisfied with the work of students, but recently there have appeared a problem that many would call “copycat coursework”. There is a tendency to copy essays right from the internet instead if hard creative work and thinking.
Revealed reasons
There are several reasons why students plagiarize. Firstly, poor time management leading to last- minute panic. Secondly, there is external pressure from parents to succeed despite the fact that the work may be beyond the students’ ability. Furthermore many students believe there is no need to learn only to obtain certificate. Finally, students sense apathy on the part of tutors.
What could we do about it?
There are a number of suggestions to prevent plagiarism among students and to true their self esteem. To begin with I would strongly recommend to involve students in creative work combined with a research task such as projects, presentations, debates and round table conversations. It would be a good idea to make students feel tutors are as well involved in the process. That means not only to check and control but provide students with the appropriate information, give a possible solution as a hint, show their concern and let students take the initiative. I believe the way to true self esteem is through real achievement and learning.
Conclusion
To conclude, I am confident that the above recommendations would help to get th e maximum benefit out of education. If these suggestions were carried out, both tutors and students would have less constrained atmosphere to work and to study in.
To: E. O.
From: E. K.
Subject: Warsaw Office Branch Modernization
Date: 14th December 2006
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide the information obtained after the convey conducted in the Warsaw branch of the LKN Co and to make recommendations regarding the issues which currently require modernization and correction.
Staff
As a result of survey hold it was displayed that one of the leading factors resulted in sale slump is the personal factor of the staff. It would be an essentially important measure to appoint additional premiums for extra work or special projects accomplished by personnel. It would stimulate their enthusiasm to perform their duties in a better way and will help managerial stuff to find out the best candidates for promotion.
Technical Equipment
Secondly, it is essentially important to fulfill the modernization of technical equipment especially to replace computers in accounts and sales departments because the existing technical equipment leads to a great number of problems and downtimes in the work of the departments.
Means of Communication and Internet
The third point of my report calls up slightly with its previous part and concerns the necessity of rendering up-to-date means of communication including the change of Internet providers and mobile operators as well as the transition to another system of company paid mobile calls and online conferences usage which will help to grade up external and internal communication and at the same time will perform the opportunity for additional control under expenses on communication services.
Conclusion
To sum up, I assume that in general the work of the branch of LKN Co is wholly satisfactory but could be easily improved by a couple of insignificant technical and managerial changes which in their turn will undoubtedly lead to the intensification of sales and profit level and will allow to avoid unnecessary staff downsizing.
To: Dean
From: Al.Sav.
Subject: Suggested improvements to the Faculty of International Relations
Date: 25th November 2006
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to comment on conditions in the faculty and to make recommedations for possibe improvements.
Faculty Conditions
To begin with, I feel that there are quite a lot of inconveniences in our faculty. Firstly, the classrooms are too small to hold all the students. Secondly, there is no cafeteria. Furtheremore, we have only one xerox machine and there are always huge lines to it. Then, the lifts can not fit all the students and teachers especially in the mornings, and therefore the students are often late fot their classes. And finally, I believe that the tuition fees are to high for such conditions.
Suggested Improvements
There are a number of changes that could be made in order to improve the situation. First of all, I would strongly recommend that the administration of the faculty stop admitting so many students each year. As a result we would have more classroom space. Also, it would be a good idea to install a couple of vending machines on different floors so that the students and teachers coud get a snack and furthermore they wouldn't need to use a lift. To solve the "lift" problem the old lifts can be substituted by high-speed ones. Furthermore, by putting another xerox machine we would satisfy the demand of the students for a fast process of copying. Last, if the tuition fees are reduced it would be fair to the students due to the current conditions.
Conclusion
To sum up, I feel that the above improvements would make things better. If these recommendations were carried out, both teachers and students would have a more comfortable environment for studying and teaching.
To: Manolo Blahnic, Manager
From: Alina Titovitskaya
Subject: Suggestions about increasing profitability of the boutique
Date: 24th November 2006
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to make recommendations regarding with possible measures to be taken on order to provide increasing profitability of “Manolo Blahnic” shoe boutique.
Assortment Of Models
Firstly, one suggestion would be to expand the range of selling shoe models in order to attract new target audience of customers. It would be a good idea to include one more fashionable shoe brand, for example “Pollini, in the assortment of our boutique. Doing this would immediately result in the increase of our sales volume.
Customer Service Policy
Secondly, I feel it would be useful to polish up our strategy of customers servicing, so that we could create an unforgettable sophisticated atmosphere of beauty, style, but comfort around the boutique. The best solution would be to try not just selling a pair of this season stilettos to a featureless customer, but rendering integrated service of shoe-style consulting and choosing the best variant according to customers’ preferences, physical appearance and a feeling of fashion. In this way we could develop “personal approach” service policy and gain our patrons’ confidence.
Discounts Strategy
Finally, we could elaborate an effective discount strategy in order to establish fast connection with the most active and solvent clientele of “Manolo Blahnic” boutique. Doing this would ensure us from marketing failures, as well as from the permanent problem of production distribution. I would strongly suggest putting accumulative discount cards into operation, depending on purchasing volume of each customer, in order either to stimulate purchase requirement or to boost popularity of the boutique.
Conclusion
To sum up, while “Manolo Blahnic” boutique is a successful business enterprise, I feel that implementation of the above suggestions will immediately result in the increase in profit and in the rise of sales volume. Moreover, if such improvements were carried out, the reputation of the boutique would make a qualitative leap in order to correspond with the world shoe fashion standards.
To: Dean
From: Alexander Shevchenko
Subject: Suggested improvements to the Faculty of international relations
Date: 26th November 2006
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to comment on the conditions of studying on the Faculty and to make recommendations for possible improvements.
Faculty conditions
Although the conditions are generally not bad, as a matter of fact there are a number of problems. Firstly, the library does not have enough books to provide all the students with them. Moreover it does not have even necessary journals on the international law. Secondly, the classrooms tend to be very cold, especially in the winter months. Thirdly, the students do not find room in small and not numerous lecture-rooms. Finally, certain officials of the dean’s office used to be impolite to students and in fact they do not manage their job well.
Suggested improvements
There are a number of changes that could be made in order to improve the situation. To begin with, I would strongly suggest investing more money in modern scientific literature. As a result it would help to develop thorough knowledge in various branches of science. Also, special care needs to be taken as far as heating is concerned. Furthermore, I would strongly recommend reducing the admission of school-leavers. In this way, we would avoid the overcrowding that always exists. Last, if the Faculty organized strict control of the work of the dean’s office, it would mean that many problems of disorder would be solved.
Conclusion
To sum up, most of us are not satisfied with the conditions, I feel that the above improvements would make things much better. If these suggestions were carried out, both professors and students would have a more comfortable environment for studying and teaching.
To: Minister of Ecology
From: E.M.
Subject: To protect wild animals
Date: 11-23-2006
The purpose of this report is to find ways how to protect wild animals.
We can’t say that our planet is a safe place for wild animals. Thousands of species have become instinct and many more are now endangered. We need to do something fast before it’s to late for them.
There are a number of changes that could be made in order to improve the situation.
Firstly, measures to be taken to protect our wild life. The destruction of threatened animals’ habitats should be illegal, with long prison sentences for people who break these laws. This would protect animals and environment they live in.
Further more is to promote education about endangered species. As a result people will be aware of the problem, and then they will buy fewer products made of materials, such as ivory or fur.
I strongly suggest to create national parks, so this would allow animals to live and breed safety in their natural habitats. In this way we could increase their numbers and species would not die out.
In conclusion, there are many ways to make our world a better place for animals. We all need to do whatever we can.
To: Tony Smith
From: M.J.
Subject: Suggested improvements to environment
Date: 10th July 2006
Purpose
The purpose of this report is nature protection. Today, the contradictions between man and nature have acquired a dramatic character. With the development of civilization man’s interference in nature has increased. Every year the world’s industry pollutes the atmosphere with millions of tons of dust and other harmful substances.
Problems to be solved.
Among the most urgent problems are the depletion of ozone layer, acid rains and global warming that lead to unfavourable changes in the world’s climate.
Another serious ecological problem is the disappearance of forests. Some of the die from acid rains, others are cut down.
Suggested Improvements
I believe that, we are obliged to remove factories and plants from cities, use modern technologies, redesign and modify purifying systems for cleaning and trapping harmful substances, protect and increase the greenery and ecological education.
There are the main practical measures, which must be taken in order to improve the ecological situation.
I’m convinced that some progress has been made in this direction. 159 countries-members of the UNO have set up environmental protection agencies. They hold conferences discussing ecological problems and take practical measures to avoid ecological catastrophe. But it is not enough.
Conclusion.
To sum up, we must review our wasteful ways, we must consume less, recycle more, conserve wild life and nature.
To: Mr. Dean
From: Student
Subject: Premises conditions
Date: 26.11.06
Purpose
The purpose of this report is an intention to gain attention of the faculty authorities regarding the aspect of premises conditions and infrastructure within the building of the university as well as to make recommendations upon this issue.
Elevators
Firstly, taking into consideration huge students flows every morning resulting in long queues, one suggestion is to improve elevators system by increasing the quality of lifts and extending working hours of the elevators.
Central heating
Secondly, to express the actuality of the problem it would be useful to mention about low temperatures inside the classrooms. In this connection I suggest to intensify the central heating provision of the building.
Canteen
Thirdly, there are a number of facts that could be mentioned in order to express the problem of dining-room conditions. There is no properly organized canteen inside the building. The existing kiosk offers a lot of junk food which means that students are seriously endangered. I would strongly recommend organizing a fully equipped dining-room with healthy products.
Conclusion
To sum up, while most of us are satisfied with the conditions, I believe that the above improvements would make things even better. If these suggestions were carried out, both teachers and students would have a more comfortable environment for studying and teaching.
Artsiom T
To: J.B., the manager
From: A.Z.
Subject: Suggesstions to raise profitability of the shop
Date: 26th November 2006
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to recommend several possible improvements in the appearance and activity of the shop in order to make it more profitable.
Changing the outward appearance
First of all, I would strongly suggest that the shop's outward appearance be changed so as to look more attractive to customers. By painting the walls in some brighter colour in comparison with our old dark-gray (e.g. light-blue or light-green) and hanging out a large new shop sign preferingly highlighted with lamps, we could bring more people to our shop willing to buy our products.
Changing the working hours
Secondly, I recommend that some alterations need to be made as far as the working hours are concerned. Lowering the opening hour from 11 a.m. to 9 a.m. and raising the closing hour from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. would solve the problem of lack of profit. I feel that more clients will be allowed to make purchases at our shop as a result.
Changing the assortment
Finally, we could make changes in the range of goods in order to attract wider contingent of custmers. E.g., if we invest more in youth magazines, CDs and soft drinks, it would mean that schoolchildren, students or working youth would be able to become our purchasers and this way bring us profit.
Conclusion
To sum up, I am convinced that suggested improvements would help attract new groups of clients. As a result of the carrying out of those changes, both the customers and the staff of our shop would have excelent opportunity to satisfy their requirements and get the maximum benefit.
To: A. J.
From: M. Sh.
Subject: Suggestions to improve energy balance.
Date: November 27, 2006.
Purpose
The purpose of the report is to provide analysis of current situation in power industry possible short-term tools and long-term strategy of improvement of the energy balance.
Current situation analysis.
Analyzing current situation, it is necessary to notice the following to natural, economic and political reasons that influence the energy balance.
Short term reasons.
A) 2007/208 is a possible term for Russian federation to join the world trade organization – any extra-economic reduced price will be banned under the terms and conditions of the organization notwithstanding it concerns internal or external trade.
B) The primary energy consumers in the republic are industrial enterprises. The coefficient of energy losses is the best in the Commonwealth of independent states – 0.46, but it is still incomparable with corresponding coefficient in the EU countries with the same climate, t. ex. 0.36 - in Estonia, 0.23 - in Denmark 0.13 - in Island.
Long term reasons.
A) 97% of energy production and consuming of the republic drops on irrenewable energy sources, employment of which is gasering pace. Depending on the level of technology development the resources limit will be passed between 2036 or 2066 year and a sharp lack of fuel will be an unsolvable global trouble. Step by step moving nearer to the resources “judgment day” oil and natural gas price will be increasing irrecoverably.
B) Gas and oil mains are primarily concentrated in politically vulnerably areas: Middle East, Russian federation and Latin America. Middle East is traditionally influenced with radical Islamic movements either Shia or Suni, this heredity is going to be aggravated with proliferation of nuclear weapon (attaining nuclear weapon by Iran can arise a dangerous controversy Iran vs. Israel) and utter chaos in Iraq that undermines stability at the region. These circumstances cause venturalisation of the asserts involved in the mining and transportation – heighten of risks means heighten of price. Current situation in Russian federation and Latin America is characterized with coercive monopolization and nationalization of energy resources supply that involves additional extra-economic price augmentation.
C) EU “green book” strategy is targeted at diversification of energy resources consume first and foremost by replacement of irrenewable energy sources by renewing ones especially it regards to non-transporting or short link transporting local energy production devices that can in long term perspective decrease demand on external long-link transportation resources and make it more costly for other consumers.
Conclusion.
Short term strategy can be grounded on the lessen of industrial energy losses by adoption of energy saving strategy, restructurization of state enterprises in order to replace huge industrial bays by more compact and flexible, provide a special tax regime to encourage supply of innovation in energy distribution t. ex. “dot-heating” and “heating reverse”.
Long term strategy should be targeted at decreasing the proportion of irrenewable resources in total energy consume, especially with regard to natural gas. It can be two main approaches – a new nuclear power station in Chernobyl zone to supply nuclear energy to the whole country or many local energy bays to supply the neighborhood with ecologically clean energy produced from relative materials specified for this particular territory.
I do highly recommend the second approach.
To: Ministry of Education
From: Vitaliy Kulkov
Subject: Suggested ways of improving the attendance of classes by students
Date: 26th November 2006
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to suggest a new way of stimulation of students for hard and productive
work during classes
Existing situation
There is a tendency in a whole student community not to attend classes and not to prepare for them. So this inflicts the general state of illiteracy among the greatest majority of students. They
a strongly persuaded that it will be possible to prepare for exams in 2-3 days and not bother themselves with working during the academic year. But the results are not often those as were supposed.
Suggestions
So I would like to allocate some solutions of this problem. From my point of view there are two main opposite ways of doing that: the learning process must be put under bigger control from the administration of universities (like money penalties for missing classes without valid reasons etc).
THe second solution is to make classes easier and more interesting for students (to provide actual information permanently during classes, giving more practice etc.). So it is on your own to choose one and put into practice.
Conclusion
To conclude, I feel that the above suggestions would improve the working process in class. Carrying out in a such way will make students well-prepared for exams.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to ask you whether you are still hiring as I saw the advertising in Portland Press a week ago. I would like to get a job offer from your restaurant and I would be grateful if you consider my application.
I am a twenty-year-old student from Belarus and I am taking part in the International Students Exchange Program “Work and Travel”. When I leave the university I will be an international lawyer, so I am going to deal with international relations. The improvement of my English will really help me in my future career that is why I am looking for some public job, where I will be able to communicate with different people and meet new cultures. As you see the position of manager in your restaurant is a perfect opportunity for me to gain some experience.
What is more I have work experience in this field. Last summer I was working at the Restaurant in NY (Manhattan 54, “The Boss”) as a waitress. Later I was promoted and became a manager. The reason for leaving was that I visited the country only for summer.
As far as my personality is concerned I would describe myself as hardworking and industrious person. I am sociable and I usually take part in team-spirit building. Although I am able to work alone and to make decisions quickly.
If you are willing to take an interview, I am available at any time. My resume is already on your website. Thank you for considering my applications. I am looking forward to receiving your answer.
Yours faithfully
Volha Rukhlevich
To: Jack Daniels
From: Joe White
Subject: Suggested improvements to save animals in the wild nature
Date: 25th November 2006
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to make recommendations on saving animals in the wild nature
Description of the problem
Nowadays the great number of animals suffer from air pollution and ecological disasters.
Every year, thousands of dogs and cats are killed on the road by tracks. Millions of fur-bearing animals including foxes, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, nutria, beavers, muskrats, otters, and others are killed each year on fur farms by electrocution and in the wild by hunting. Rare species of mammals are used to be entertained in zoo where it is very difficult for them to survive.
Measures to be done
As for me, I would strongly recommend to stop medical experimentations on animals. Everyone should also realize that it is terrible to make clothing of animal fur because it seems to me the death can`t be «elegant». Furthermore, using animals for entertainments and keeping them at the zoo should be also stopped. And finally, I personally recommend everyone to practice vegetarianism.
Conclusion
We all are responsible for saving future for our children. Everyone should finally realize that
we are guests on this planet. The only one way to «live» is to «save».
To: Mr. Rosinski
From: P.S.
Subject: Yearbook
Date: 26.11.2006
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the implementation of the Yearbook Project and propose suggests for the next year.
This year a yearbook writing project was launched in our school. The ultimate idea was to gather the materials related to school studies and activities and put them together at the end of the year in a book. This was the first time that something like this was arranged in our school and therefore the project demanded a lot of creative thinking and research on how it is done in the countries where yearbooks are a traditional thing.
The idea became a reality due to the efforts and determination of an initiative group of high school students who worked under the supervision of their language teacher. They decided on the contents of the book and its design, wrote articles, interviewed teachers, students and staff members, took pictures and carried out a good PR campaign of the yearbook.
When the project was written the main criteria for determining its successfulness were set. One of them was the number of issues ordered. By the end of the third quarter 500 were ordered and pre-paid. Some other schools in the city became also interested in learning from our Yearbook Project experience, all of the volunteers except for those who have graduated this year expressed their desire to work next year and we have received many thank you letters from students’ parents.
At the last evaluation meeting of the project team the decision was made that the project should not stop next year. Therefore, here are some suggestions on how to improve the quality of the yearbook and the efficiency of volunteer work. First of all we need to involve more students in yearbook writing so that there are enough people to cover all sides of school life, e.g. school sports, holidays and events, personalities, etc. We also should work out a way to better motivate volunteers and show them our appreciation for devoting their time and effort, for example, we could count participation in the Yearbook Project as half of their literature class credit and award them with diplomas at the school assembly. Another suggestion is to allocate more money for the project next year and include a purchase of a new digital camera into the expenses.
To conclude my report I would like to repeat that the Yearbook Project that was approved for implementation in 2004 was successfully carried out during the 2005-2006 academic year and we believe that making a yearbook could become a good tradition in our school.
Best regards,
P.S.,
Yearbook Project coordinator
To: “Maxim” restaurants’ administration
Att.: Charles Glouton, chief executive
From: Julia Rodina
Subject: Suggested improvements to restaurant
Date:25th November 2006
The purpose of this report is to comment on conditions in the restaurant and to suggest several improvements to it.
Although everything in your restaurant is generally good, there are one or two things that could be done better.
To begin with, I’d like to mention the wardrobe. There is no cloakroom attendant and all the clothes are left for the faith of the public. That is not really attractive. Then the number of servants in the restaurants is critically inadequate, according to the area of the restaurant. Finally, the sofas by the tables are really uncomfortable, though they are very soft and rolling.
There are number of changes that could be made in order to make the dinner in your restaurant the most unforgettable event. Firstly, I would recommend to engage the cloakroom attendant, that will clear the fear of being cleaned out. Secondly, you definitely have to increase the number of service stuff, because the clients waiting long to have their order accepted. That is the thing to work on. Last, but very important thing. To my opinion, sofas must be changed to chairs or at least to harder sofas, because ladies suffer discomfort while getting up from the sofas as they are too soft and do not leave the possibility do it in elegant way.
I am sure that all suggestions stated above would make your restaurant even better. If you follow the proposals your clients will be more delighted with the visit to your restaurant.
To: Dean of the Faculty of International Relations
From: Stanishevskaya Anna
Subject: the hall of the faculty building
Date: 25.11.2006
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to make some suggestions about the use of the main hall of the faculty.
Cloak- room
Firstly, one suggestion would be to employ one more cloak-room attendant. So the students won’t face the problems of the queues. Secondly, to my mind it is necessary to make it possible to store in the cloak-room such personal things as umbrellas and hats.
Timetable:
The suggestion is to make it more available. It is not really convenient when the students crowd in the small area.
Dining-hall:
Finally, the suggestion would be to organize one at last so that the students could have a dinner in the building of the faculty.
Conclusion:
To sum up, I believe that you will take my suggestions into consideration in order to make our faculty more convenient to study in.
To: Minister for Foreign Affairs
From: I. F.
Subject: Proposed measures to combat child trafficking
Date: 25th November 2006
The purpose of this report is to propose a plan for preventing trafficking in human beings, especially children.
It’s a fact that trafficking in human beings is one of the most widespread human rights problem. To my mind there has been important progress in the global fight to end child trafficking. But the is much more to be done. Firstly, the government should make some efforts to eliminate the most usual reasons for this phenomenon such as poverty, inequality, humanitarian disasters and armed conflicts.
Moreover, the process of the identification of victims should be properly regulated. Medical and legal assistance should be granted to the victims. Another important point is bringing traffickers to justice. For these ends countries should enact comprehensive legislation and implement multilateral agreements. Finally, you should pay much attention to the dissemination of information and awareness-raising among children.
To sum up, the governments can make lasting differences in the lives of children caught in the nightmare of trafficking throughout the world. Trafficked children are physically and sexually exploited and abused trafficking abrogates a child’s right to healthy childhood and a productive, rewarding, dignified life. Our children deserve our best efforts.
To: Dean
From: S.M.
Subject: Suggested improvements to the Faculty of International Relations
Date: 12th December 2006
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to comment on the conditions of the faculty and to make recommedations for possibe improvements.
Faculty Conditions
I think that there are quite a lot of inconveniences in our faculty. Firstly, the classrooms are too small to hold all the students. Secondly, we have only one xerox machine and there are always huge lines to it. Finally, the lifts can not fit all the students and teachers especially in the mornings, and therefore the students are often late fot their classes.
Suggested Improvements
To begin with, we can use the stairs to study. In this way we will get 13 additional classrooms. Students can sit and write on the steps, so we don’t need new tables. Then I suggest to solve the problem of “Xerox lines” by rising the prices. Let it be 1000 rubles per copy and you won’t see any lines. Finally, I suggest to close the lifts at all. In this case, the students of the Faculty of International Relations will show great results during physical training classes.
Conclusion
To sum up, I feel that the above improvements would make things better. If these suggestions were carried out, both teachers and students would have a more comfortable environment for studying and teaching.
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