Practise writing an email in the right register for its purpose. Try each before revealing; the prompts are our own original material.
1Write a short, polite email to a teacher asking to reschedule a meeting you cannot attend.
Show plan, model opening & checklist
Plan: Use a clear subject line and a polite opening; state the problem, propose an alternative, and thank them.
Model opening: Subject: Request to reschedule our Thursday meeting Dear Mr Tan, I am sorry to say I have a clinic appointment on Thursday afternoon and will be unable to attend our meeting.
Checklist:
- Appropriate greeting and register
- Clear purpose and subject line
- Proposes a solution, not just a problem
- Polite closing
2Write a friendly email to a pen-friend describing a festival in your area.
Show plan, model opening & checklist
Plan: Use a warm, informal register; open with a greeting, then share lively detail.
A trial lesson can start from your child's attempt at ESL email practice tasks, with feedback from an experienced teacher.
Model opening: Hi Lena, You would have loved last weekend. Our whole street was strung with lanterns for the Mid-Autumn celebrations, and the smell of grilled corn was everywhere.
Checklist:
- Informal, friendly register
- Suited to a pen-friend
- Lively, specific detail
- Clear opening and flow
3Write an email to a shop's customer service explaining that an item arrived damaged and requesting a replacement.
Show plan, model opening & checklist
Plan: Keep it formal and factual; give the order details, describe the problem, and state what you want.
Model opening: Subject: Damaged item from order 4821 Dear Customer Service Team, I received my order yesterday, but the desk lamp inside was cracked across the base.
Checklist:
- Formal, factual register
- Includes the necessary details
- States the request clearly
- Courteous throughout
See the worked annotated model response for ESL email, or the method in our ESL email skills guide.