## Step 2 - Reading

Pen pals
Do you know what a pen pal is? Do you have one or have you ever had one?
Despite the ease of digital communications, many people find there's no replacing the personal touch that comes with a handwritten letter.
Read about Emma. She has pen pals and tells about her experience.

- Read the text.
- Do the assignment.

Two pals are better than one Most people would be content with having one pen pal - but not Emma. She's got two friends that she loves writing to. In her report she tells us why it's pair-fect! "I have two pen pals. One is called Alana. Alana was my friend until she moved away. The other is Ophelie, the pen pal that my school gave me. She lives in France. I usually write letters to Alana as she doesn't live as far away. But most of the time I e-mail Ophelie, as it takes so long if I don't! I write to my pen pals about once a month. Learning I really look forward to getting letters or e-mails from my pen pals because I learn a lot about France or what my friends enjoy doing. I learn about their lives and it gives me something to look forward to. Having two pen pals also really improves my writing skills. I write about hobbies, family, school and what I've been doing over the last few weeks. Visits I think one of the best parts of having pen pals is when they come over to stay. I have never had a visit from Ophelie, but I am really looking forward to her visit with her school in June. The worst thing about having pen pals is the wait for a reply, and when letters get stuck in the post! My auntie is 40 and she still writes to her French pen pal that she got at school. Juggling I never get bored with my pen pals. It's not hard juggling two because they rarely write at the same time and I enjoy writing. I would strongly recommend getting a pen pal to those who don't have one. I've got two!" Emma, 9, Dumfries and Galloway Bron: CBBC Newsround