Instructions for a colleague

Learn how to write instructions for a colleague.

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

Preparation

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Reading text

To:

Tim Young

Date:

22 May

Subject:

Things to do for the team meeting

Tim,

We have a team meeting in Room 310 on Friday 26 November at 11 a.m. We are expecting 25 members of our international team there.

Could you please book the room for us?
Would you please prepare 25 pens and notepads for the meeting?
Also, can you write an email to the team members to tell them the time and place of the meeting?

Thanks very much for your help. If you have any questions about this just let me know – I'll be in the office tomorrow morning.

Best,

Amelia

Amelia Smith
Marketing Department

Tips

1. You can start a note with just the name of the person you are writing to or Hi ... . You don’t need to use Dear … .

2. Make sure dates are very clear. Include the day, date and time.

3. Explain the reason for the instructions.

4. Write clear and polite instructions. Use phrases like Can / Could / Would you please … ?

5. At the end offer the chance to ask questions and check the instructions.

6. Finish the note with Best, or Thanks, and then your name underneath.

Discussion

When you have to give someone instructions, do you prefer to write them a note or speak to them? Why?

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Worksheet93.24 KB

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Language level

A1 - Elementary

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Hi sara We have parents meeting 25 July at 3 p.m in the meeting room in the ground floor.we are expecting 30 parents here. Would you please provide 30 pack of pegs information about early years, safeguarding and introduce new key workers for parents. Would you please design meeting room with some posters? Also we need whiteboard with some pens and paper for recommendation parents ? At the end could you please send invite letters to parents ? Thank you very much for your help. If you have any questions or you have any idea please let me know. I will be in nursery at 9a.m to 6 p.m tomorrow. Thank you Lili

I prefer for imail send instrutions, or speak front if necesary.

I prefer to write instructions for my colleagues because they won't forget it, so I can check thier work accordind to these instructions

In giving instructions to someone I would prefer to write them a note, just for reference purpose.

Yes I would like to speak them First Because We have a clear idea about the Dates , time & Place etc.In note pad We rarely misses the information.so i prefer to speak out to them.

If I am giving instructions to my kids oo yo one of my family members of course I will speak to him but if it is work issue so I prefer to email him for history purposes

When I given instructions I prefer tell and write them, when tell instructions and both ways, I think is more secure and that instructions will be finish properly.... Maybe... :D

Usually i speak to them. Because i'm a bit lazy.

Hi Sia, We must have a meeting with Javad in his office on 21 January at 10 a.am. Could you please call him an organize this meeting. Please send me a message and inform me about his response. Thank you for your help. Best, Shah

It depends. When I give someone istructions I prefer both way. If I have option I try to speak them, next I write a note.

Instructions for a colleague

Preparation

Tips

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Discussion

Language level

Online courses