Writing an introductory email
Intermediate level
Materials
Main Aims
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To provide process writing practice of an email in the context of introducing yourself
Subsidiary Aims
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To provide gist reading practice using a text of an email in the context of introducing yourself
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To provide fluency speaking practice in a discussion in the context of peer feedback
Procedure (40-50 minutes)
Present slide 1 of presentation Show students the questions and give example personal answers 3 minute discussion in pairs in breakout rooms Comment on some answers you heard and provide short feedback
Present slide 2 of presentation Allow 1 minute for students to read the sample email of introduction Show arrows and give instructions: "With your partner, choose the correct words to label the components of an email" - send the list of words from slide 3 through zoom chat - 2-3 minutes in the same pairs in breakout rooms. ICQ - do the first label with them to illustrate task. Present the answers and ask students to compare their answers. Allow time for questions.
Highlight the 4 Target Language items in the sample email - explain that these are too informal for an email of introduction. Present slide 5 of presentation. Meaning - Guided Discovery - "Match the phrases to their formal equivalent" ICQ - "Ali, what do you have to do?" - same pairs in breakout rooms - 2 minutes Show answer key. Ask prepared CCQs for meaning: “Where would I write Regards in the email?” “Where would I write Dear in the email?” ”Which word would I use to make make an opposite point?” “Which phrase talks about the future?” Present Slide 6 of presentation CCQs for form: “Which words are normally followed by a comma?” “Which words do we normally use to start a sentence?” “What type of word always comes after “I’m looking forward to”?” ”Which words are normally part of a sentence and which words are normally used on their own?” Illustrate form with examples of TL Change highlighted informal phrases in the sample email to the corrected formal phrases illustrated here.
Parallel Writing: Present Slide 7 of presentation Show examples of how I described/introduced myself. "You have 3 minutes to make some notes/write some ideas on how you will describe/introduce yourself." - ICQ: "Do you write sentences or notes/words?" Free Writing: Allocate one slide of "google slides presentation" to each student, send the link to students via Zoom chat box - "you have 15 minutes to write your email of introduction" Make comments and corrections on students work as they go along. Collect TL samples for DE feedback section.
In Zoom chat send students link to "peer assessment checklist" Tell students to check their partners email using the checklist and give each other feedback. ICQ - "Are you checking your email or your partners?" 3-5 minutes in breakout rooms in pairs. Present slide 8 of presentation Show examples of correct/incorrect TL/general language examples that were common across the class and elicit corrections. Do not use individuals as examples.