Summary
This downloadable lesson plan for English teachers provides class material for a B2 ESL lesson on professional email writing. Students will learn the key components and language needed to craft clear, polite, and effective emails for the workplace.
This practical ESL lesson guides students through the essentials of writing professional emails. Activities include analyzing a poorly written email, a listening gap-fill on core principles, and matching exercises to learn the structure of a formal message. Students practice using polite conditional requests and the Present Perfect tense for updates, culminating in a guided writing task where they compose their own professional email based on a real-world work scenario. It's a comprehensive guide to improving business communication.
Activities
- Students begin by analyzing a poorly written email, identifying its flaws in tone, structure, and clarity. This serves as an engaging introduction to the importance of professionalism in written communication at work.
- A listening gap-fill exercise reinforces the core principles of effective email writing, focusing on key concepts like clarity, conciseness, and proofreading to ensure students understand the fundamentals.
- The lesson breaks down the "anatomy" of a professional email. Students match key parts like the subject line, greeting, body, and sign-off to their correct descriptions, building a solid structural foundation.
- Grammar is taught in context, with exercises on forming polite requests and using the Present Perfect for updates. The lesson concludes with a practical writing task based on common workplace scenarios.
Transcript
Writing effective emails can be challenging, but it's a crucial skill in today's professional world. Always ensure your subject line is clear and concise, giving the recipient a preview of the content. It's also essential to maintain a professional tone, even when you're familiar with the person. Remember to structure your thoughts logically, using paragraphs to separate different ideas. Before sending, proofread carefully for any typos or grammatical errors. A well-crafted e-mail leaves a positive impression and avoids misunderstandings.
Vocabulary focus
This lesson focuses on practical, professional vocabulary and phrases essential for email communication. Students learn a range of formal and semi-formal options for greetings, opening lines, closing phrases, and sign-offs. Key expressions include "I am writing in reference to...", "I look forward to hearing from you," and "Best regards."
Grammar focus
The grammar section targets two key areas for professional communication. First, it teaches students how to form polite and indirect requests using conditional structures like "I would appreciate it if you could..." and "Would it be possible for you to...?". Second, it covers the use of the Present Perfect tense for giving updates and referring to recent actions, such as "I have attached the document."
