Wishes and Messages – English Standard Four

1. Meaning of Wishes and Messages

Wishes are kind words that we say or write to someone to show good feelings on a special occasion or when something happens. Examples include “Happy birthday!”, “Get well soon!”, “Congratulations!” and “Good luck!”

Messages are short pieces of information that we write or send to another person. For example: “Mum, I will come home late today.”

2. Types of Wishes

Wish	When it is used
Happy birthday!	When someone celebrates a birthday
Get well soon!	When someone is sick
Congratulations!	When someone achieves something
Good luck!	Before someone does something important
Happy New Year!	At the beginning of a new year
Merry Christmas!	During Christmas celebrations

3. Common Vocabulary

Word or phrase	Kiswahili meaning
Wish	Takwa/jambo jema unalomt):akia mtu
Message	Ujumbe
Birthday	Siku ya kuzaliwa
Congratulations	Hongera
Health	Afya
Success	Mafanikio
Friend	Rafiki
Teacher	Mwalimu
Receive
Sender	Mtumaji
Receiver	Mpokeaji

4. Examples of Wishes

A Birthday Wish

Happy birthday, Asha!
I wish you a happy and wonderful birthday. May you enjoy your special day.

A Get Well Soon Wish

Dear Juma,
I am sorry you are sick. Get well soon. I hope to see you at school.

A Congratulations Wish

Congratulations, Neema!
Well done for passing your examination. Keep working hard.

5. Examples of Short Messages

Message 1: To a Parent

Dear Mum,
I have gone to school. I will return home at 4:00 p.m.
Your child,
Amina

Message 2: To a Teacher

Dear Teacher,
I was absent yesterday because I was sick.
Your pupil,
Peter

Message 3: To a Friend

Hello John,
Please bring my English book tomorrow. I need it for our lesson.
Your friend,
David

6. Parts of a Written Message

1. Greeting: Words used to begin a message, for example, “Dear Mum”.
2. Body: The main information in the message.
3. Closing: Words used to end the message, for example, “Your friend”.
4. Sender’s name: The name of the person who wrote the message.

7. Understanding Wishes and Messages

Read the message below and answer the questions.

Dear Amina,
Congratulations on your good examination results. You have worked hard. Keep it up!

Your friend,
Neema

1. Who wrote the message?
2. Who received the message?
3. Why did Neema write the message?
4. Which words show that Neema is happy for Amina?
5. What does “Keep it up” mean?

8. Class Activities

Activity A: Match the wishes with their correct occasions.

Wishes	Occasions
1. Happy birthday!	A. When someone is sick
2. Get well soon!	B. When someone celebrates a birthday
3. Congratulations!	C. When someone succeeds
4. Good luck!	D. Before an important event

Activity B: Identify the parts of the message. Read the message and identify the greeting, body, closing and sender.

Dear Teacher,
Thank you for helping me with my English work.

Your pupil,
Rose

9. Assessment Questions

Choose the correct answer.

1. Which wish is used when someone celebrates a birthday?
   A. Get well soon   B. Happy birthday   C. Good luck   D. Goodbye
2. A message is a short piece of ______ sent to another person.
   A. information   B. food   C. clothing   D. furniture
3. The person who writes a message is called the ______.
   A. receiver   B. visitor   C. sender   D. reader
4. Which words can be used to begin a friendly message?
   A. Dear John   B. Good night   C. Thank you   D. Goodbye
5. “Congratulations!” is used when someone ______.
   A. is sick   B. succeeds   C. sleeps   D. goes home

10. Answers

Understanding the message: 1. Neema. 2. Amina. 3. To congratulate Amina on her examination results. 4. “Congratulations” and “You have worked hard.” 5. Continue working hard.

Activity A: 1–B, 2–A, 3–C, 4–D.

Activity B: Greeting: Dear Teacher. Body: Thank you for helping me with my English work. Closing: Your pupil. Sender: Rose.

Assessment: 1–B, 2–A, 3–C, 4–A, 5–B.

11. Support for Slow Learners

• A teacher to show pupils different greeting cards and simple written messages.
• A teacher to read each example aloud and explain unfamiliar words.
• A teacher to guide pupils to identify the sender, receiver and purpose of a message.
• A teacher to give pupils short messages with clear and familiar vocabulary for additional practice.

12. Learning Outcome

A pupil to identify different types of wishes and messages, recognise their purposes and identify the main parts of a simple written message.