FORMAL EMAIL
1NI
Getting started
Language
How would you start and end an email to: a friend? your teacher? Someone you’ve never met?
Choose from the greetings below.
Check your answers.
Informal email
Which of the following phrases would be appropriate in an informal e-mail?
Decide in pairs. Which can you use to start / end your e-mail?
An email
Can’t wait to hear from you. I’m writing to complain about … Hi! How are you? Write back soon. Thanks for your letter. I look forward to hearing from you.
formal
formal
end
start
end
end
Formal email
Style Work in small groups.
Have you ever done an English course in an English-speaking country? Talk about your experience and ideas. If you haven’t, would you like to? Why / Why not?
Task
Imagine you are going to do a summer course called “English with Sport” in Belfast, in Northern Ireland.
Write about six questions you would like to ask about the course and the school.
How many hours a week will I study? Is the school big or small?
Read Pepa’s email about the course and compare.
Dear Sir or Madam,I would like to do a course in “English with Sport”
this summer. I am interested in visiting Northern
Ireland and your college seems ideal for me. I
have found a lot of information I need from your
website, but I still have some questions. Would
you mind answering them for me?
First of all, if I stayed for four weeks, how many
teachers would I have? Are there any exams at
the end of the course? Could you tell me if I will
get a certificate from the college before I leave?
Concerning the sports, I am especially interested in
horse riding. Can I do this every afternoon and
does the cost include everything? Also, is tennis
available in the evening?As I mentioned, I am keen on coming to Belfast and I
would like to live with a local family. However,
what would happen if I am not happy with the
family? Would I be able to change
accommodation?I hope you can answer my questions.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishesPepa Martinez
Register
Find examples of language that show that this email is polite and/or formal. e.g. concerning the sports.
Dear Sir or Madam,I would like to do a course in “English with Sport” this
summer. I am interested in visiting Northern Ireland and your college seems ideal for me. I have found a lot of information I need from your website, but I still have some questions. Would you mind answering them for me?
First of all, if I stayed for four weeks, how many teachers would I have? Are there any exams at the end of the course? Could you tell me if I will get a certificate from the college before I leave?
Concerning the sports, I am especially interested in horse riding. Can I do this every afternoon and does the cost include everything? Also, is tennis available in the evening?
As I mentioned, I am keen on coming to Belfast and I would like to live with a local family. However, what would happen if I am not happy with the family? Would I be able to change accommodation?
I hope you can answer my questions.I look forward to hearing from you.Best wishesPepa Martinez
Dear Sir or Madam,I would like to do a course in “English with Sport” this summer. I am interested in visiting Northern Ireland and your college
seems ideal for me. I have found a lot of information I need from your website, but I still have some questions. Would you mind answering them for me?
First of all, if I stayed for four weeks, how many teachers would I have? Are there any exams at the end of the course? Could you tell me if I will get a certificate from the college before I leave?
Concerning the sports, I am especially interested in horse riding. Can I do this every afternoon and does the cost include everything? Also, is tennis available in the evening?As I mentioned, I am keen on coming to Belfast and I would like to live with a local family. However, what would happen if I am not happy with the family? Would I be able to change accommodation?
I hope you can answer my questions.I
Best wishesPepa Martinez
look forward to hearing from you.
Format
Formal writing is well organised. What is the main topic of each paragraph.
Dear Sir or Madam,I would like to do a course in “English with Sport” this summer. I am interested in visiting Northern Ireland and your college
seems ideal for me. I have found a lot of information I need from your website, but I still have some questions. Would you mind answering them for me?
First of all, if I stayed for four weeks, how many teachers would I have? Are there any exams at the end of the course? Could you tell me if I will get a certificate from the college before I leave?
Concerning the sports, I am especially interested in horse riding. Can I do this every afternoon and does the cost include everything? Also, is tennis available in the evening?As I mentioned, I am keen on coming to Belfast and I would like to live with a local family. However, what would happen if I am not happy with the family? Would I be able to change accommodation?
I hope you can answer my questions.I look forward to hearing from you.Best wishesPepa Martinez
Dear Sir or Madam,
I would like to do a course in “English with Sport” this summer. I am interested in visiting Northern Ireland and your college seems ideal for me. I have found a lot of information I need from your website, but I still have some questions. Would you mind answering them for me?
First of all, if I stayed for four weeks, how many teachers would I have? Are there any exams at the end of the course? Could you tell me if I will get a certificate from the college before I leave?
Concerning the sports, I am especially interested in horse riding. Can I do this every afternoon and does the cost include everything? Also, is tennis available in the evening?
As I mentioned, I am keen on coming to Belfast and I would like to live with a local family. However, what would happen if I am not happy with the family? Would I be able to change accommodation?
I hope you can answer my questions.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Pepa Martinez
1. opening1. opening
2. reason2. reason
3. academics
3. academics
4. sports4. sports
5. accommodation
5. accommodation
6. closing6. closing
7. name7. name
TASK
Work with a partner. Imagine you want to go to New York to
do an English course. Look at the following advert and write a
formal email to the academy, asking some questions about the course, school, etc.
MANHATTAN LANGUAGE ACADEMY
Learn English in the heart of the Big Apple – the city that never sleeps.
General English classes, all levels, all nationalities.
Small sizes guaranteed.
Amazing modern facilities – all you need to study.
Special afternoon options include:
Business English, film-making, team sports, American musicals.
Full programme of social activities.
Weekend trips available.
Accommodation service available.
MANHATTAN LANGUAGE ACADEMY
Learn English in the heart of the Big Apple – the city that never sleeps.
General English classes, all levels, all nationalities.
Small sizes guaranteed.
Amazing modern facilities – all you need to study.
Special afternoon options include:
Business English, film-making, team sports, American musicals.
Full programme of social activities.
Weekend trips available.
Accommodation service available.