Writing A1/A2 (GC)

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 2

Letter writing

Today´s programme

Writing tips

Lay-out + example sentences

Short quizz

Write a formal e-mail

Learning objectives

You can write a formal e-mail in English

You know what to do and what not to do when writing a formal e-mail in English

Writing A1/A2

- Remember to ALWAYS capitalize your 'I'!!
- Names of geographical locations, people, days, months, seasons, all start with a capital letter. 
- Sentences end with a full stop.
- 'And' combines sentences, but doesn't start them.
- Words that start with a o I u e have 'an' as an article; an apple.

An e-mail

-To: “Naar” – fill in the e-mailadress of the person you´re writing to

-CC: “Carbon Copy” – fill in the e-mailadresses to send people a copy of your mail 

– BCC: “Blind Carbon Copy” – these e-mailadresses receive a copy of your mail, but others can´t see it

– Subject: “Onderwerp”

Formal writing - aanhef

When writing an informal letter, you can use ´hi´ or ´hello´, this is NOT done when writing a formal letter.  Instead, you write;

Dear

Mr, Mrs, Miss, Sir/Madam … 

Surname (if this is given)

Meneer-> Mr                                                                            Mevrouw ->Ms (neutral)                                                     

Introduction

Some example sentences on how to start a formal letter;

Thank you for your email of [date]

I apologize for not getting in contact with you before now 

Your name was given to me by...

I am writing with regard to...

Further to our telephone conversation...

Thank you for your email of [date] Bedankt voor uw mail van [datum]

I apologize for not getting in contact with you before now Het spijt mij dat ik niet eerder contact heb opgenomen.

Your name was given to me by … Ik heb uw naam ontvangen van …

Further to your last email … In navolging van uw laatste mail …

In reply to your email Als antwoord op uw mail

Further to our telephone conversation … In navolging van ons telefoongesprek …

I refer to our recent telephone conversation about … Ik verwijs naar ons recent telefoongesprek over…

I am writing in connection Ik schrijf u naar aanleiding van

I am writing with regard to Ik schrijf u met betrekking tot

The message

Some example sentences to write down the message;

I hope this answers your questions

Thank you for your kind invitation

Could you give me more information about...

As requested I'm sending you the file as an attachment

I’m writing to let you know that...

I wonder if you could... Ik vraag mij af of jij kan

I hope this answers your questions.... Ik hoop dat dit uw vragen beantwoord.

I’d like to confirm... Ik kan bevestigen dat

Thank you for your kind invitation... Bedankt voor uw uitnodiging.

If you wish I would be happy to… Indien gewenst zou ik met veel plezier…

Could you give me more information about Kan u mij meer informatie bezorgen over

I’m interested in Ik ben geïnteresseerd in

I’m writing to let you know that Ik schrijf u om te laten weten dat

We are able to confirm that We kunnen u bevestigen dat

I am delighted to tell you that Ik ben blij u te melden dat

I would like to know whether Ik zou graag weten of

I would like to invite you to Ik zou u graag willen uitnodigen voor

Thank you for your invitation Bedankt voor uw uitnodiging

Please find attached In bijlage vindt u

As requested I'm sending you the file as an attachment Zoals gevraagd stuur ik u het bestand in bijlage.

I will contact you again shortly Ik laat u zo snel mogelijk iets weten

Thank you in advance for your help in this matter Ik dank u alvast voor uw help in dit dossier.

Closing a formal letter

Some example sentences to end a formal letter;

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions

I'm looking forward to hearing from you

I´m looking forward to meeting you

Do not hesitate to contact us again if your require any further information Twijfel niet om ons te contacten indien u verdere informatie wenst.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
U mag mij contacteren in geval van verdure vragen.

I’m looking forward to- Ik kijk uit naar

I'm looking forward to hear from you- Ik kijk er naar uit van u te horen.

I’m looking forward to meet you Ik kijk er naar uit u te ontmoeten.

Formal letter signing

Yours sincerely/ yours faithfully -hoogachtend

Kind regards -met vriendelijke groeten

How to start a formal letter in English when you don´t know the surname of the person you´re writing to?

How can you recognise if it is a formal/ informal e-mail?

End a sentence with a comma

Do

Don´t

Start a sentence by using ´and´

Do

Don´t

Start the name of a month with a capital letter

Do

Don´t

Yours sincerely/ Yours faithfully

1. formal
2. informal

hoogachtend

Write a good opening sentence (after aanhef)

write a good closing sentence (before end salutation)

Writing: up to you!

You are going to write in English

I will hand out the assignment and some paper

You have 15 minutes to do so

Good luck!!

Evaluation

What did you think of this lesson? 

Any feedback (tips/tops)?

Does anyone want to share their e-mail/ assignment?