Summer plans

Writing task: Reply to an email

Reply to Melissa’s email. Write around 150 words. Useful language

Use the Useful language and the notes you made in the Engage task to help you Useful phrases
• Thanks so much for your
prepare.
email.
• I’m happy to hear that...
New mail
• You asked me about my
Hi! plans for the summer.
Thanks so much for your email. I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying your English course. • I’m emailing to tell you
I’m busy with my studies but I’m fine. about my plans for the
summer.
You asked me about my plans for the summer. Well, at the beginning of July I’m taking the
• Well, ...
train from London down to southern Italy with a friend from university. We’re going to
spend a week in the South of France and then a few days in Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, • I’d love to come and
Naples, and finally Catania in Sicily. meet you.
• I’m afraid I can’t come
We’re going to be away for about a month in total. We’ve booked our first train journey and meet you because...
and hotel but after that we’re going to make plans as we travel. I think it’s going to be really • I’m looking forward to
scary but I’m very excited about it. Now I need to save some money so I can pay for it! hearing from you.
What are you doing in the summer? Do you have any interesting plans? I’d love to hear • Write to me soon. /
about them. Write me soon.
I must go now. Write to me soon.
Melissa
P.S. If it’s possible, could you come and meet me for a few days in France or Italy?

Tip  Emails to friends are informal and use informal and friendly language. It can be
similar to spoken English, e.g. Well / Anyway, and many expressions are common, e.g.
Thanks so much for your email. The structure of an email is also important.
Follow this structure:
• Greet Melissa. Start with Hello or Hi Melissa.
• Thank Melissa for her email and say something about her summer activities.
• Answer Melissa’s questions.
• Say goodbye.
• Sign off with your name.
• Add an additional note to the end of the email (P.S.) if you want.
Check it!  Read your email and check it’s organized clearly and makes sense. Then
read it again and check for grammar, vocabulary and spelling errors.

Hello Melissa!
Thank you very much for your email. I am pleased to know that you are enjoying your
vacation.
I'm busy with my studies, but I'm fine.
You asked me about my plans for this summer. Well, at the beginning of January I will
take a bus from Chiclayo to the south of Lima with a friend from the university. I will
spend a week in the south of Lima and then a few days in Arequipa, Cuzco, Puno and
Ancash

We will be absent for approximately one month in total. We have booked our first trip
by bus and hotel, but after that, we will make plans while we travel. I think it's going to
be really
Disastrous, but I'm very happy about it. Now I need to save some money to pay for it!
What are you doing in the summer? Do you have an interesting plan? I would love to
hear Oxford Online
About them. Skills Program
I have to go now. Write me soon.
ROBERT
PS If possible, could you go with us if you like or find us in Lima?