Set the stage by discussing a hypothetical scenario where a language course did not meet someone's expectations. This discussion should introduce the topic and create the context for writing a formal letter of complaint. Scenario: Imagine yourself stepping off the plane and walking into a bustling city abroad. You're filled with excitement, hope, and a dash of nervousness. The local signs and the sound of a language unknown to you further heightens your curiosity. You've decided to take a language course in this foreign land in an effort to dive deeper into the culture and meet locals. However, after a few weeks of attending the course, things aren't quite as you expected. The teaching methods are old-fashioned, there aren't enough learning materials, the classes are too large, and the teacher seems uninterested. The excitement you initially had is gradually fading away. So, you've decided to express your concerns and dissatisfaction through a formal letter of complaint to the course administrators. This is not just to vent your frustration but also in the hope that your feedback might instigate some necessary changes in the system. 1. How would you approach this? 2. What tone would you use in your letter? 3. What should be included in such a letter? These are all important questions to think about. Today, we are going to learn and practice how to write a formal letter of complaint effectively.

Show students your sample letter and guide them through an analysis of its structure and language use: Let's delve into a sample letter of complaint I've prepared. Sample Letter Subject: Feedback on the Language Course Dear Course Director, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the Spanish language course I am currently attending, which started on June 1st. I enrolled in the course with high expectations and a keen interest to learn Spanish. However, my experience has been far from satisfactory. The first concern is the teaching methods, which are quite outdated. We rely heavily on rote memorization, which is not an effective way to learn a new language. In contrast, a more interactive and immersive method would be far more beneficial and engaging. Secondly, the class sizes are too large. As a result, the teacher can't give individual attention to each student, and it's difficult for us to get any significant practice in speaking. Lastly, the course materials provided are limited and insufficient. Additional resources such as multimedia content and language learning apps could greatly enhance our learning experience. One potential remedy for the technological issues could be to switch to a more reliable platform for the online lessons or perhaps provide an option for offline downloads of the lessons. I am bringing this to your attention with the hope that improvements will be made. I believe that these changes would greatly enhance the course for everyone involved. Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns. I am looking forward to your response. Yours sincerely, Juan Pablo a) Discuss the style and structure of the letter, asking students to identify key sections like the greeting, problem explanation, proposed solutions, and closing. The style of this letter is formal and professional. Let's identify the sections: 1. Introduction: This is where we state the purpose of the letter. In this case, it's to express dissatisfaction with the language course. 2. Body: This part is subdivided into multiple paragraphs, each discussing a different concern. It's always a good practice to have one main point per paragraph. 3. Conclusion: This section restates the purpose of the letter and expresses hope for a positive outcome. b) Highlight language that is useful in writing formal letters of complaint, such as polite phrases, clear and formal expressions, and terms for expressing dissatisfaction and suggesting solutions. Notice the polite and formal language used in this letter. Here are some examples: 1. Formal Salutation: • "Dear Course Director," • "To Whom It May Concern," 2. Polite Expressions: • "I am writing to express..." • "I am bringing this to your attention..." • "Thank you for taking the time to consider..." • "I would greatly appreciate if you could..." • "I kindly request your attention to..." 3. Clear Statements of Problems: • "The first concern is..." • "Secondly,...", • "Lastly,..." 4. Suggestions for Solutions: • "I would propose that..." • "One potential remedy could be..." • "It may be beneficial if..." 5. Respectful Closing: • "Yours sincerely," • "Yours respectfully," • "Kind regards," Now that we've identified the style, structure, and useful language in this sample letter, we're going to practice writing our own. Remember to keep these elements in mind as you write.

3. Writing Exercise (15 minutes): Students now write their own letters of complaint based on the discussed scenario, using the structure and language from the sample letter. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 1. Use formal language: Keep the tone of your letter formal and respectful. Avoid using slang or overly emotional language. 2. Be clear and concise: Make sure your points are clear and to the point. Don't ramble or include unnecessary details. 3. Describe the issue accurately: Provide details about what exactly is not meeting your expectations. This includes the aspects of the course that have disappointed you and why. 4. Offer solutions: Rather than just complaining, suggest how the problem could be fixed. This demonstrates that you are constructive and solutions-oriented. 5. Close politely: Finish your letter by expressing hope for change and thanking the reader for their time. Take 15 minutes to write your letter. If you need any help or want to discuss anything, don't hesitate to ask. Your time starts now.

Divide students into groups of three for peer review. Each student shares their letter with their group, who provide feedback on both content and language use. I will divide you into groups of three. In your groups, I'd like you to screenshare your letters in the breakout rooms. Read each other's letters and provide feedback. Remember to comment on both the content of the letter and the language accuracy. Keep the following points in mind when giving feedback: 1. Content: Is the problem clearly stated? Are the reasons for dissatisfaction adequately explained? Are the suggested improvements practical and well-considered? 2. Language: Is the tone of the letter respectful and formal? Are the sentences well-structured and error-free? Is the language used appropriate for a formal letter of complaint? 3. Structure: Does the letter follow the correct structure of a complaint letter? Are there clear introductions, explanations of issues, suggestions for improvement, and closing remarks?

Conduct open class feedback, inviting a student to share their letter with the class. Using a checklist, you provide feedback on the various elements of the letter, followed by a delayed error correction to address and correct common errors made during the writing exercise. Throughout the lesson, maintain a supportive and constructive atmosphere where students are encouraged to learn from their mistakes and continuously improve their skills. Once we've selected a letter to discuss, we'll go over it together. Here's a checklist that we'll use to evaluate the letter: 1. Greeting and Closing: Does the letter start and end appropriately for a formal letter? 2. Clear Statement of Purpose: Is the reason for writing the letter clear from the beginning? 3. Details and Examples: Are the issues presented in detail, giving specific examples? 4. Solution or Request: Does the writer suggest ways to resolve the issue or ask for specific action? 5. Polite and Respectful Tone: Is the letter respectful even while stating complaints? 6. Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation: Is the letter free of errors? Is the language used appropriate and formal? After our group feedback session, I'll provide Delayed Error Correction (DEC) feedback. During this time, I'll point out any common or significant errors I noticed in your letters without identifying whose letter it was from. We will then correct these errors together, learning from our mistakes.