A REPORT is task 2 of the written STANAG 6001 LEVEL 2 EXAM.

The candidates are to write 150 – 200 words using the guidelines given in the task instruction.

The topics refer to professional issues.

The candidates are expected to write full but simple paragraphs that are grammatically correct, logical and coherent.

The report should contain both simple and complex sentences.

The language of a report should be formal.

Here is a typical report topic from the model exam published on the website of the Polish MoD’s Central Examinations Board for Foreign Languages (www.wsnjo.wp.mil.pl):

TOPIC

Write a report to your CO. Write between 150-200 words.

You have just completed a language course. Describe the course and give your opinion about it. Include the following:

• date and length of the course

• classes (size/quality)

• number of hours per week

• accommodation

• facilities on site

USEFUL TIPS

1. SUBJECT: start your report with a simple, 1-2 word formulation of the report subject

2. Divide your report into paragraphs, depending on the instruction. You may need to group a few points from the instruction into one paragraph, e.g accommodation and facilities (heading: ACCOMMODATION) or date, length and number of hours (TIMING).

3. Start every paragraph with a heading summarising the whole paragraph.

4. The headings should be short, 1-2 word phrases.

5. Paragraphs shouldn’t be shorter than 3 – 4 sentences.

6. Every paragraph should start with a topic sentence, which describes the topic of the whole paragraph.

7. Your report should consist of an INTRODUCTION, BODY PARAGRAPHS (2-3) and a  CONCLUSION.

8. You shouldn’t copy the language of the instruction in your paragraphs. Paraphrase.

9. Use formal language: passive voice, modal verbs, linking words, complex sentences (relative clauses: which, who). Avoid expressing personal opinions unless specifically asked to do it in the instruction.

10. Use varied vocabulary, avoid common adjectives, such as good, bad, repetition in general as well as the repeated use of simple conjunctions, such as and.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

INTRODUCTION

The purpose/aim/intention of this report is to present/evaluate/outline/present/discuss…

As requested, this is a report concerning the subject of …

CONCLUSION

To conclude/To summarise, …

On the basis of the above, it can be concluded that …

RECOMENDADTION

It seems advisable to…

LINKING WORDS

Listing points

To begin with, …

Secondly, …

Also, / …also…

Finally, …

Adding points

Moreover, …

Also, …

What is more, …

Additionally, …

Giving examples

For example, …

For instance, …

…such as…

Contrast

However, …

Although…, …

On the other hand, …

Reason

Therefore,…

For this reason,…

…due to…

Result

Consequently,…

As a result,…

In consequence,…

Summary

To conclude,…

To summarise,…

All in all,…

Referece

As far as … is concerned, …

With reference/regard to…

…concerning/regarding…

Sources:

Polish MoD’s Central Examinations Board for Foreign Languages (www.wsnjo.wp.mil.pl)

Sylwia Filipczuk, Pisanie raportów. Ćwiczenia leksykalno-gramatyczne, WSOSP, Dęblin (2012)

SAMPLE REPORT

SUBJECT: LANGUAGE COURSE EVALUATION

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this report is to describe and assess the language course which I participated in last month. The following details should help to decide if it is worth sending more soldiers there.

TIMING

To begin with, the time arrangements regarding the course were well designed. Namely, the course was organised by the Language Centre in Warsaw and took 5 months, from 1st September to 21st January. Additionally, the course was very intensive as there were 5 hours of instruction every day from Monady to Friday. Consequently, the duration and intensity of the course enabled fast progress.

CLASSES

The classes were also well-organised. The number of participants was 12 and so the teachers could focus on every student individually. Moreover, the instructors who conducted the lessons were professionally trained and always well-prepared. As a result, the small size classes and high quality of teaching contributed to students’ high motivation.

ACCOMMODATION 

As far as lodging is concerned, there is still place for improvement. The students were quartered in double rooms without a bathroom, which was not very comfortable. However, there was a swimming pool and a gym at the course participants’ disposal every evening, which improved the overall impression of the venue.

CONCLUSION

To summarise, although my overall evaluation of the language course is positive, I would recommend improving the accommodation options. In consequence, students would have better learning conditions after classes. Therefore, all in all, it is advisable to send more soldiers to participate in this training.

 

NOTES

GRAMMAR USED

PASSIVE VOICE

• The time arrangements regarding the course were well designed.

• The course was organised by …

• The classes were also well-organised.

• The instructors were professionally trained.

• The students were quartered in …

MODAL VERBS

• The following details should help to decide …

• … teachers could focus on every student individually.

• In consequence, students would have better learning conditions after classes.

RELATIVE CLAUSES

• The students were quartered in double rooms without a bathroom, which was not very comfortable.

• However, there was a swimming pool and a gym at the course participants’ disposal every evening, which improved the overall impression of the venue.

• The instructors who conducted the classes were professionally trained.

COMPLEX SENTENCES

• Although the overall evaluation of the language course is positive, I would recommend improving the accommodation options.

VOCABULARY USED

CLASSES – lessons, training, instruction, teaching

DATE AND LENGTH – timing, time arrangements, duration

ACCOMMODATION – lodging, double rooms, quarters (to quarter)

TEACHERS – instructors

ADVANCED LANGUAGE: improvement, to contribute, venue, arrangements, at sb’s disposal, improve

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