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.