1. The Yummy Yummy case. An effective teaching script
Gert Rijlaarsdam & Martine Braaksma
Graduate School of Teaching and Learning, University of Amsterdam
BACKGROUND
Points of departure:
1. Learning content: Focus on Effective Communication:
1.1. What makes this text communicative effective;
1.2 What could you do to enhance effectiveness?
2. Teaching approach: Inquiry
Complete communicative and learning situation
TEACHING SCRIPT
Lesson 1 Providing writing task; writing in computer room. Result: 20 texts
Amsterdam,
Dear co-workers of Yummy Yummy Candy Bar,
I write this letter because I would like to receive the free movie tickets. However, there is a small problem. I only have eight saving points, I will explain to you why I couldn’t get ten saving points. On the special offer wrappers that I ate, it was written that this offer ends on April, 15th Thus, this week I went to the supermarket to buy two more candy bars for the special offer, and guess what? They are sold out!! Then, I went to all other supermarkets in my neighborhood to check whether they would have those candy bars, also sold out! I was quite angry because the special offer will end April 15th! I hope, you will understand this and still send me those free movie tickets. You see, I love Yummy Yummy candy bars very much and that’s why I ate them extra much last week!! I really hope you understand it’s not my fault that I have eight saving points instead of ten.
Best greetings,
Simone de Vries
Polderland 90
1112 RP Diemen
Lesson 2. Splitting group A
Lesson 3. Presenting Research poster
Group A1
Group A2
Role: Readers
“Yummy Yummy board”
Task: Select two letters that get the bonus
Role: Researchers
Task: Collect data: which criteria/ arguments play a role in the board decision?
Produces discussion:
Observes discussion:
Lesson 3: Presenting winning letters
Student: The letter has a good length [19]. This is reasonable [20].
Student: Yes, yes.
Student: And the letter isn’t so…
Student: And?
Student: Overdone [21].
[Students leaf through letters]
Student: C4. A real letter of a child, one can simply see that a child has written it [22].
Student: He has written ‘Albert Heijen’ [23].
Student: That doesn’t matter.
Student: And these ones…
Student: These ones really want it very much [24].
Student: Yes.
Lesson 4: Rewriting letters
Dear co-workers of Yummy Yummy Can Bar, 7 April 2003
I have always eaten your bars and when there was this offer, I took part immediately, but then I got this problem. When I took part in your offer in which you could receive two movie tickets for those ten points, I have got eight points from your bars. But those two other points I could not find. I have searched everywhere in almost all supermarkets like Albert Heijn and Aldi. I even asked my friends whether I could get two wrappers in exchange for some money, but even that did not succeed.
Because I still did not find those two points, I have just bought two bars. Could you please be so kind to give me still those two movie tickets? I would feel rather bad when you with you big company won’t give me it, while I did a lot of effort, but I could understand it a little bit because so many people do want those ten points. I have sent you those eight points with those two bars and also a 39 cents stamp for the mailing costs. I hope you give me those two movie tickets. thank you very much that you spent your time in reading my letters. Thanks in advance.
Filmon Ghebremichael
Schagerlaan HN
Amsterdam
Version 2
Dear people of Yummy Yummy Can Bar, April 2003
I have a big problem with those bars. I took part in your offer in which you could receive 2 movie tickets for those ten points. I have got 8 points from your bars. But those two other points I could not find. I have searched everywhere in almost all supermarkets like Albert Heijn and Aldi.
Because I still did not find those 2 points, I have just bought 2 bars. Could you please be so kind to give me still those 2 movie tickets? I would feel rather bad when you with you big company won’t give me it, while I did a lot of effort. I have sent you those 8 points with those 2 bars and also a 39 cents stamp for the mailing costs. I hope you give me those 2 movie tickets. By the way, I am a good customer. I thank you very much that you spent your time in reading my letters. Thanks in advance from Filmon Ghebremichael.
Version 1
RESULT