Getting to Know You and Writing a Letter
Getting to Know You in Writing
Lesduur is: 50 minOnderdelen in deze les
Getting to Know You in Writing
This lesson combines two connected aims: helping you learn about the students and preparing them for exam-style writing in a personal, low-pressure way.
Today's learning goal
I can write a clear letter to my teacher about myself.
Deze slide heeft geen instructies
Write one word or short phrase about yourself in English: what defines you?
Use this as a warm, low-pressure activation. Invite students to share simple words or short phrases such as hobbies, personality, favourite subjects or goals. This also helps you learn names and interests.
Why write to your teacher?
A letter is a simple way to:
introduce yourself
share useful information
practise real writing
show your own voice in English
Keep the tone welcoming. This opening frames the task as meaningful communication, not only exam practice.
What your teacher can learn
Your letter can help your teacher understand:
your interests
what you enjoy at school
what you find difficult
how you like to learn
what kind of person you are
Emphasise that students choose what they want to share. The aim is appropriate classroom information, not private details.
A letter can be personal and useful
It is more than a list of facts.
A good letter gives information and sounds friendly, polite and honest.
This is a key shift: students are not filling gaps, but writing for a real reader with a real purpose.
Good topics for your letter
You can write about:
your name and background
your hobbies or favourite activities
your favourite subjects
your strengths in English
what you would like help with
your hopes for this school year
If needed, explain vocabulary such as strengths, background and hopes before students write.
What a letter usually includes
Most letters have a clear structure:
a greeting
an introduction
the main message
a short ending
your name
Keep this practical. Students do not need formal theory, just a usable structure they can follow.
What makes a good letter more than a list of facts?
Friendly and polite tone
Lots of long sentences
Only school subjects
Private details only
Checks the idea from slides 2-4 that the letter should be useful, personal and suitable for a real reader.
Complete the advice
A good letter can introduce yourself and share useful information. It should sound friendly, polite and honest. You can write about your hobbies, your favourite subjects and what you need help with.
The blanks echo key phrases from slides 2-6 and focus on purpose, tone and suitable topics.
Greeting and opening
Start in a polite way.
For example, greet your teacher and say why you are writing the letter.
Model options aloud such as 'Dear teacher' or 'Hello Mr/Ms ...'. Adapt formality to your classroom style.
The main part of the letter
In the main part, organise your ideas into clear sentences.
Each short part should add new information about you, your school experience or your goals.
Encourage students to group ideas logically instead of writing one long block. This supports coherence for exam writing.
Ending the letter
Finish politely.
You can thank the teacher for reading and end with your name.
Point out that a strong ending makes the letter feel complete and thoughtful.
Writing in a clear style
A clear letter uses:
short, correct sentences
simple linking words
polite language
details that matter
correct punctuation
Useful linking words at this level include and, but, because, also, so, then and finally.
Useful linking words
Linking words help the letter flow.
Examples:
and for extra information
but for contrast
because for a reason
also for another point
finally for the last idea
Students at A2/B1 often write separate sentences without connection. This slide supports smoother, more connected writing.
Which part of a letter usually comes first?
Your name
The greeting
The ending
The main message
Tests basic letter structure from slides 7-9.
Complete the model letter advice
Start with a polite greeting and say why you are writing. In the main part, give clear information about yourself. Use linking words like and, but and because to connect ideas. Finish with a short ending and your name.
Reinforces structure and linking words from slides 7-11.
Which linking word would you use to give a reason?
Expected elements: students should mention one suitable linking word and show its function, for example and for extra information, but for contrast, because for a reason, also for another point, finally for the last idea.
Writing for the exam
This letter is good practice for the writing exam because you need to:
answer a clear purpose
organise ideas
write complete sentences
choose suitable words
check your work
Make the connection explicit: the task feels personal, but the writing skills transfer directly to exam situations.
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for:
very short answers
missing full stops or capital letters
repeating the same idea
writing without paragraphs or clear order
language that is too informal
If helpful, briefly remind students that texting style is not the same as letter writing in school English.
Before you finish
Read your letter again and check:
Is the message clear?
Did you introduce yourself?
Did you include useful details?
Is the ending polite?
Did you check spelling and punctuation?
This slide acts as a final self-check without turning into a separate activity slide.
Which is the best final check before you finish?
Add more slang
Remove full stops
Check spelling and punctuation
Repeat the same idea
Checks understanding of exam-style proofreading and common mistakes from slides 12-14.
Complete the exam advice
This letter is good practice for the writing exam because you need to organise ideas and write complete sentences. Before you finish, check if your message is clear and if your spelling and punctuation are correct.
Summarises the main transfer to exam writing and the final self-check from slides 12-14.
What is one thing you learned about letter writing today?
This is a reflection prompt with no single correct answer. Encourage students to mention a specific skill, idea or part of letter writing.
What helped you most in this lesson?
This metacognitive prompt helps students identify support that worked for them, such as the structure, topics, linking words or checklist.
What part still feels difficult for you?
This reflection can guide the teacher's next writing support. Students may mention endings, linking words, punctuation, or choosing ideas.
Slide heading
Write a letter to your teacher. Use the handout given by your teacher.
Deze slide heeft geen instructies
Glossary
letter - a written message to another person
greeting - the words at the beginning of a letter
introduction - the opening part where you begin your message
main message - the most important information in the letter
ending - the final part of a letter
linking words - words that connect ideas
punctuation - marks such as full stops and commas
Deze slide heeft geen instructies
