Task 1 General: Letter Writing
Master formal, semi-formal, and informal letter writing for IELTS General Training
Who it's for
Written for B1 (intermediate) students who handle everyday English and are ready for longer answers.
IELTS Speaking and Writing preparation, for band 5 and up. More IELTS Test Preparation lesson plans
Skills it practises
- Speaking: discussion questionsevery lesson
- Reading: a text or news storyevery lesson
- Vocabulary: a target word list7 of 8 lessons
- Controlled practice: gap-fills, matching, sorting and more7 of 8 lessons
- Role-play: a dialogue to act out2 of 8 lessons
- An answer framework to structure what they say1 of 8 lessons
Lessons
- Letter Writing BasicsGoal: identify any letter task's type and register in seconds, then plan it with GREET — one paragraph per bullet point.49 minFree
- Informal LettersGoal: write a warm, natural informal letter — friendly openings, casual linking, a proper sign-off — that still develops all three bullet points.57 minOutline
- Semi-Formal LettersGoal: write a polite, natural semi-formal letter to someone you know slightly — the register candidates most often get wrong.57 minOutline
- Formal LettersGoal: write a formal letter to a stranger or a company — complaint, request or enquiry — with total register discipline and one precise, justified request.57 minOutline
- Tone & Register PracticeGoal: switch register on command — the same message written formally, semi-formally and informally, with no slips anywhere.47 minOutline
- Letters of ApologyGoal: write an apology letter in any register — apologise first, explain without excuses, offer a specific fix.1 hr 14 minOutline
- Letters of ApplicationGoal: write a formal application letter that presents your experience with specific evidence — and makes the reader want to say yes.1 hr 14 minOutline
- Practice: Mixed Letter TypesGoal: walk into the exam ready — identify any letter type in seconds, then write a complete Band 7 letter in 20 timed minutes.1 hr 13 minOutline
How to use it in a lesson
- Lessons run 47 to 74 minutes, with a timing on every stage, so you can see before you start what fits your slot.
- Start with "Letter Writing Basics": its whole plan is on this site, stage by stage, with the target vocabulary, free to read and to teach from on any video call.
- For a shorter slot, skip a practice stage or cut the discussion short: the stages are a guide, not a script.
Teach Task 1 General: Letter Writing with your student
Lesson 1 of this course is free. A free account opens it in the interactive player, and the rest of the course is included with Starter. Teaching it live with your student in the Tuton classroom starts with a 7-day free trial.
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