teaching writing an email

Writing an email : it´s an extremely important skill to teach in the era of technology. Students will need to write emails to their professors, bosses, and coworkers in almost every academic and professional setting.

I start showing my students sample emails. This can be tailored to your class, but for my university students I show them  business email samples, formal email samples, samples from my own professional and academic life, and sample emails from the British Council.

Here is a lesson plan from the British Council , with a engaging activity that involves organizing phrases into categories "formal email" "semi-informal email" and "informal email".

Another career website with lots of email and letter tips.

Important phrases : 

• I hope all is well with you 
• Thank you for your prompt response
• Thank you for assistance with
• I  am pleased to inform you 
• I am writing to give you some details 
• With reference to our phone conversation (this morning= I can confirm)
• In reference to our earlier conversation 
• Due to my request for … I would like to …. 
• I appreciate your assistance
• Would it be possible for you to … ( let me know, assist me, inform me, give me further information) 
• I would appreciate if this could be taken care of promptly. 
• Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing back from you 
• Do no hesitate to contact me for any further (information, questions, assistance, inquiries

Greetings and Salutations are important. Here are the most basic, but click here for 57 ways to sign off on an email.