Practical recommendations for writing an english letter in secondary school

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WRITING AN ENGLISH LETTER IN SECONDARY SCHOOL

Чернышева Людмила Анатольевна

КГУ «Школа-гимназия №20 имени Титова»

ludmila_chernysheva@mail.ru

Аннотация

Статья содержит рекомендации для учителей английского языка средней школы по обучению учащихся распознаванию типов английского письма, а также использованию знания отличительных особенностей формального и неформального стилей для составления писем на английском языке. 

Course Programs of English language for secondary schools require learners to be able to write formal and informal letters. Most Student’s Books give the examples or models of written letters but they do not give explanations to students how to write a letter themselves. There are some recommendations how to teach learners to write an English letter.

There are a lot of kinds of letters:

1. Formal letter

2. Informal letter

3. Letter of invitation

4. Letter of acceptance and refusal

5. Letter of thanks

6. Letter of apology

7. Congratulatory letter

All of these letters have much in common. They usually have the same structure and use the same set of expressions. A learner who is going to write a letter as a required task should understand a few ground rules and know the main information about the styles.

FORMAL VS INFORMAL LETTER

Letter writing in English can be formal or informal, depending on the rubric, the purpose of the letter and the target reader. While formal letters are used in official or business communications, informal letters are used when writing to anyone in a non-professional context. A formal letter is a letter written in formal language with a specific structure and layout. Formal letters also referred to as business letters, are generally used to communicate with people you do not have personal relationship with.

Structure of the letter – A formal letter follows a strict format while an informal letter does not follow a strict format.

Language – A formal letter is written in formal, professional language while an informal letter is written in informal language; slang and colloquial terms can be used depending on the familiarity between the sender and recipient.

Formality level – In a formal letter, we always use titles and surname of the recipient. But, in an informal letter, we always use the first name of the recipient as we are familiar with the recipient.

Address – Formal letters have two addresses. The sender’s address and the recipient’s address. Informal letters require only the writer’s address

Heading/Title – Formal letters usually have heading. Informal letters don’t require heading.

Why we write formal letters:

We write formal letters for different reasons. Some reasons for formal letters are:

• To find out information

• To make a complaint

• To give information

• To make a request

• To send an apology

• To apply for a job

An informal letter, unlike a former, is a type of letter you would write to your friends, relatives, and sometimes, acquaintances. In a broad sense, informal letters can be used when writing to anyone in a non-professional context. The main characteristics of the informal style are:

- Short forms (I’m, you’re, it’s)

- Colloquial vocabulary and some idiomatic expressions (it’s fun, you’d better, get in touch)

- Use of the active, rather that the passive voice (‘Jenny will arrange a party' instead of: ‘The party will be arranged by Jenny')

That’s why it is important firstly to think about who you’re writing to and why you’re writing so that you use the correct style of formal or informal.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE LETTER

The ordinary letter formal or informal has 5 parts:

1. Greeting/Salutation

2. Introduction/Beginning

3. Main part/Body of the letter

4. Conclusion/Ending

5. Signature/Sign off

All styles of letters should include the following:

An appropriate greeting (Dear Tim, Hello Jane, Hi Bill), followed by an introduction with your opening remarks (How are you? Thanks for your last letter) and your reason for writing (giving information, making suggestions).

A main body which contains the information requested by the rubric and organized into 2-3 paragraphs. Here you put all the information you want your reader to know.

A conclusion where you can summarize the main points and include your closing remarks (Write back soon), followed by an appropriate ending (Cheers, Love, Yours sincerely).

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR WRITING

Here is an example of an informal letter:

Dear Mary,

Thanks for your letter. It was so nice to hear from you again.

Unfortunately, I have been preparing for my finals and I couldn’t write back earlier. I am happy to know that you are fine, and so am I.

In your letter you asked me about diets. To tell you the truth I have never been on a diet because I think diets are bad for my health. But I always try not to eat too many sweets and not to eat late in the evening.

I believe you must go on a diet if the doctor advises you to do it.

However, I do morning exercises every day and I play sport. It helps me to be fit. So if I were you, I’d continue going to the gym.

Well, I have to go now.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Lots of love,

Sheila.

Following is a short example of a formal letter.

Dear Sir or Madam

I am writing in response to your advertisement. I would like to apply for the post of part time secretary.

I believe this position would be an ideal way of gaining more experience of secretarial work. I have strong communication skills and I am very interested in working while I am finishing the degree of administration. I also enjoy working in a team.

Please, find attached my resume which provides more details of my qualifications and work experience. Please, do not hesitate to contact me if you require more information.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Pepita

As the example of the task, before writing a letter, you could print these both letters and ask your students to recognize the parts or put the parts of the letter in order.

Переходим к следующему заданию. Сейчас вы на некоторое время превратитесь в учителей английского языка. Вам нужно будет проверить диктант и найти и исправить ошибки.

Deer Jane!

Thank you four your letter. I am so glad what you wrote to I! Everyone is phine with me. I am prepare for entrance examz to the university. I would love to invite you to came and watch me next weak. Please let me know if this is convenient four you. I hope to sea you soon.

Your Jack.

Ключ:

Dear Jane!

Thank you for your letter. I am so glad that you wrote to me! Everything is fine with me. I am preparing for entrance exams to the university. I would like to invite you to come and see me next week. Please let me know if this is convenient for you. I hope to see you soon.

Your Jack.

Литература

1. В.В. Сафонова «Письмо на английском языке» Пособие для учащихся к учебнику английского языка для X-XI классов школ с углубленным изучением английского языка. - М.: Просвещение, 1995. – 96 с.

2. Latham-Koenig, Oxenden, “English File” third edition, Intermediate, Student’s Book, Oxford, 2014