There's a section of the BCIT textbook I'm using where my students discover rules and criteria for making suitable routine requests. As well as using email, we spend some time discussing the format for a proper business letter. It seems fine to study some things in theory, but I never avoid ways to keep the assignments more practical.This morning my present group brought in newspaper advertisements. They needed pick one in order to request additional information in a letter.
I do have to admit that carrying back the stack of envelopes seemed a little anachronistic. Still, poor Canada Post probably needs all the business I can throw at it nowadays. Who would have ever guessed 25 years ago that the postal system would be facing such persuasive disruption? Isn't England's government talking about privatizing the nearly 500-year-old institution and getting out of the business altogether? My local postie only gets a chance to deliver junk mail to our box nowadays. Still I figured writing on paper might be a useful class exercise. At least my students would get a chance to feel the excitement of having information delivered to their houses in an envelope.
I forgot how expensive it is to mail a stack of letters when I taught this summer. At the time, I ended up with a personal bill for over $14. This time around, I was clever enough to have each student bring in the stamp or sufficient change to buy one. These envelopes are now on their way to locations all over the Lower Mainland.