Reading: Skimming (Reading for Gist): A2 Lesson 2: Identifying if a Short Text is a Story, an Invitation, or an Email
CEFR Level: A2 (Elementary)
Target Reading Sub-skill: Skimming (Reading for Gist)
Specific Focus: Identifying if a Short Text is a Story, an Invitation, or an Email
What You Will Learn
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify key features of a simple story.
- Identify key features of a simple invitation.
- Identify key features of a simple email.
- Quickly decide if a short text is a story, an invitation, or an email.
Hello Cambodian Learners!
Different types of writing have different purposes. A story tells us about events, an invitation asks us to come to an event, and an email is a message sent using a computer or phone. Knowing what type of text you are reading helps you understand it better. You might get an email from a friend, an invitation to a party in your neighborhood in Battambang, or read a short story in English!
What Do These Texts Look Like?
Let's look at examples. Click on the text boxes to hear them read.
This is a Short Story:
Once upon a time, there was a small rabbit. The rabbit liked to eat carrots. One day, the rabbit found a big, orange carrot. The rabbit was very happy.
Look for: Characters (rabbit), events (found a carrot), often tells what happened.
This is an Invitation:
You are invited to my birthday party!
- When: Saturday, 2 PM
- Where: My house, Street 1, Battambang
- RSVP: Please tell me if you can come.
Look for: Words like "invited," "party," information about when and where.
This is a Simple Email:
To: Sreyneath
From: Piseth
Subject: Hello!
Hi Sreyneath,
How are you? I am fine. I went to the market today. It was busy!
Talk soon,
Piseth
Look for: "To:", "From:", "Subject:", a greeting (Hi/Hello), and a closing (Talk soon/Bye).
Practice Time!
Activity 1: Story, Invitation, or Email?
Read each short text. Click the button that says what type of text it is.
Quick Quiz!
Great Job!
You are learning to identify different types of short texts! This will help you quickly understand the purpose of what you are reading.
How do you feel about this lesson?
Note for Educators/Platform Development: This lesson introduces identifying simple stories, invitations, and emails. Activities focus on recognizing key features and purpose. Ensure Web Speech API is supported. Use clear, simple examples of each text type. Placeholder content is used; replace with culturally relevant and distinct examples for Cambodian learners.