Anna Polianchuk Anna Polianchuk

Copy of Writing a Formal Letter
upper-intermediate level

Description

I expect the students have an idea about the formal and informal language. In this lesson, students will be able to write a formal letter through guided exercises including listening script and a formal letter model. the lesson starts with a warm-up exercise followed by a listening for specific details. This is followed by a formal letter model which students try to analyse its' language. Finally, students will write a letter after a whole class brainstorming.

Materials

Abc Cutting Edge Students book p.46
Abc Cutting Edge Upper Intermediate Teacher's Resource Book Answer key pg.37
Abc Audio script .Cutting Edge Upper Intermediate Teacher's Resource Book pg. 37Audio script
Abc Cutting Edge Upper Intermediate Students Book pg.139

Main Aims

  • Get students to write a formal letter.

Subsidiary Aims

  • Listening for specific datail.

Procedure

Warm-up (4-6 minutes) • To expose the student to the concept of formal and informal language

Hand the students sheets Give them instructions how to fill the chart with the sentences according to the classification of language, whether the sentences are formal or informal. Use ICQ's to clarify any misunderstanding. Give SS 2 minutes to do the exercise in pairs. Monitor and help when necessary Check the answers as a whole class. In 2 minutes SS discuss the next exercise and check whether the sentences are true or false. Check the answers as a whole class.

Listening for specefic details (5-7 minutes) • To let students know the informal language and when/how it is used.

Hand out pg. 46 to the students SS focus on the advertisement in ex1 pg.46 and discuss it as a whole class. Use the white board to set the following questions: -What is the advertisement all about? -What does the course promise to do? -What does the 'special package' and how much does it cost? Students discuss the answers in pairs and then check them as a whole class.

Presentation (8-10 minutes) • To analyse the informal sentences which are used.

In ex.2 pg. 46 ,give students instructions about how to guess the meaning of the sentences . In pairs, do the exercise and check the answers as a whole class. In ex.3a ,Students work in pairs, read the letter and underline the complaining words the writer used. Check the answers as a whole class. Discuss the question in ex. 3b and hand out the answers to check. Do ex.3c in pairs. Monitor and help if/when necessary. Hand out the answers to check.

Vocabulary (5-7 minutes) • Checking students understanding of formal phrases.

In ex. 4 pg. 46, Underline any other phrases they may find useful in a letter of complaint. Elicit some examples and write them on the board. Check that the students understand the phrases.

Controlled Practice (10-15 minutes) • To help students to write their own letter.

Photocopy and hand out p.g139 to the SS. Get them to think of four things that went wrong. Elicit examples and write them on the board. Use the ideas on the board or to get SS write the letter. If time allows , have SS write in class and then exchange letters among SS to see each others letters. If time is short, the letter will be set as HW.

Web site designed by: Nikue