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Write for a real purpose
Good everyday writing helps another person understand what you need. In this ESOL writing practice, you will write a short message, ask for information in an email and correct six sentences.
Read the task before the model. Try your own answer first, then compare the information and organisation. The examples are original learning activities, not official assessment questions.
Task 1: send a short message
Your classmate wants to meet after the lesson. Write a message saying you cannot meet today, give a reason and suggest another day.
Before writing, note those three points: cannot meet; reason; another day.
Model answer: Hi Leila, I cannot meet after class today because I am collecting my brother from the station. Are you free on Friday afternoon instead? We could meet at the cafe near college. Let me know if that works for you. Thanks, Alex.
Your reason and suggested day can be different. Check that your reader can understand the change and reply to your suggestion.
Task 2: ask for information in an email
You want to join a weekend cooking group. Write an email asking where the group meets, what time it starts and whether you need to bring ingredients.
Use a greeting, state why you are writing, ask your questions and finish politely.
Model answer: Hello, I would like to join your weekend cooking group. Could you tell me where the group meets and what time the session starts? Do I need to bring any ingredients, or are they provided? Thank you for your help. Best wishes, Mariam.
Compare your email with the task. Have you asked all three questions? A longer email is not automatically a clearer email.
Correct the sentences
A: my class starts on monday.
B: I am write to ask about the group.
C: What time the session starts?
D: She don't have the address.
E: Can you send me the detail?
F: I can come on Saturday I cannot come on Sunday.
Write your corrections before reading the answers.
Answers and explanations
A: My class starts on Monday. Begin the sentence and the day of the week with capital letters.
B: I am writing to ask about the group. Use am with the -ing form here.
C: What time does the session start? Use does before the subject and the base form start in this present-simple question.
D: She does not have the address. Use does not, or doesn't, with she.
E: Can you send me the details? Details is the natural plural when asking for the information about something. A detail would mean one particular piece of information.
F: I can come on Saturday, but I cannot come on Sunday. The word but connects the contrasting ideas. You could also write two separate sentences.
Check your own writing
Have you answered every part of the task? Is each sentence complete? Are names, days and I capitalised? Have you checked question marks, full stops and verb forms?
Read the message aloud once. If a sentence is hard to follow, divide it into two shorter sentences. Ask a tutor to check one recurring problem rather than changing everything at once.
Keep learning between classes
ESOL English's reading, videos and quizzes can help you revisit language before using it in your own messages. Download the app using the two buttons above. For writing feedback or an exam, use your teacher and the resources for your course.
Related learning guides
https://nolixia.com/blog/esol-for-beginners-start-with-one-short-lesson
https://nolixia.com/blog/esol-vocabulary-exercises-everyday-places-and-actions
Further writing lessons
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/free-resources/writing/a1
