B1 Unit 6: Write Useful Emails

B1 · LEARN THROUGH PRACTICE

Small steps.
Real conversations.

Try a real task. Practice with support. Use what you learn in a new situation.

LE-B1-MAIL-01 · B1 · Reading, listening, writing and spoken interaction · Free

This is an original learning unit using fictional people and data. Work in short sessions; allow roughly 45–75 minutes and adjust your pace. The level is a curriculum design target, not a validated placement result.

Your goal

Make the purpose, requested action, deadline and fallback clear.

Need support? Use A2 support. You can review one skill while continuing here.

1. Pre-check: keep a first attempt

Read the source at the start of Step 2, then try the task below before opening answers, language help or a model. Keep your first response and note the date and help used.

Draft the email before opening the model. Read it as Dana, revise one unclear point and explain the change aloud.

2. Presentation: read and notice

You are organizing a workshop for 16 confirmed participants. Dana holds the final list. You need it by Wednesday at 2 p.m. to make badges for Thursday’s event. If the list cannot be ready, ask Dana when it can be sent. No extra places have been agreed. A useful subject line names the list and timing. A respectful request can be direct without becoming an order or a long apology.

Language in use — open after your first attempt

Put the action near the beginning.
Use by for a deadline and to/because for a purpose.
Ask for an alternative time if needed.

3. Practice: understand the meaning

What action is needed?

Dana should send the final participant list.

Why that deadline?

Badges must be prepared for Thursday.

What must not be promised?

Extra places that have not been agreed.

Listen for meaning

Listen before opening the transcript. For practice, listen once for the main point and again for details. Record replays or slower playback with your result.

Listen in American English

Audio uses an American English voice available on your device. Pause and Stop appear when a session starts.

What is the deadline?
What is not final?

Transcript — open after listening

Please send the presentation titles by Thursday at noon. We need them to print Friday’s program. If that time is difficult, send an update with a workable time. The order of speakers has not been agreed.

Listening answers and reasons

Thursday at noon. The speaker order.

If you read the transcript before answering, record that as supported practice rather than an independent listening check.

4. Production: create your own response

Draft the email before opening the model. Read it as Dana, revise one unclear point and explain the change aloud.

Try before opening the example. If you work alone, speak aloud or record on your device. With a partner, ask one real follow-up question and respond without reading a script.

A compact model — compare meaning, not exact wording

Subject: Final list by Wednesday at 2 p.m. Hi Dana, could you send the list of our 16 confirmed participants by Wednesday at 2 p.m.? I need it to prepare badges for Thursday’s workshop. If it cannot be ready then, please let me know when you can send it. Thank you.

This example shows the main communication moves. Your wording and conclusion may differ when supported by the facts. For a project with several outputs, use it as a starting structure and complete every output requested.

Four-part self-check

Use 0–3 for each area. Not tried yet is separate from 0. Judge this task, not your whole English level. Do not convert these scores into an exam score or certificate.

Task completion

0 — The required communication is not yet achieved.
1 — Some relevant work is done, but key requirements are missing or inaccurate.
2 — The response achieves this goal: Make the purpose, requested action, deadline and fallback clear.
3 — It achieves the goal clearly and handles relevant detail or follow-up without inventing facts.

Clear meaning and organization

0 — The main message cannot yet be understood.
1 — The reader or listener needs substantial help to connect the ideas.
2 — The response is understandable and organized for the task.
3 — Structure and emphasis make the reasoning or action easy to follow.

Fit for the situation and interaction

0 — The response does not address the audience or situation.
1 — Some choices fit, but tone, attribution or response causes confusion.
2 — The response suits the audience and handles the other view or question fairly.
3 — It adapts effectively, clarifies limits and helps communication move forward.

Language range and control

0 — There is not enough relevant language to communicate the meaning.
1 — Limited words or errors obscure important information.
2 — Suitable connected sentences, useful time expressions and requests communicate the main meaning; errors do not usually block it.
3 — Those resources are chosen effectively and controlled well for this task.

5. Post-check: use a fresh situation

Ask Alex for two presentation titles by Thursday at noon to print Friday’s program. Ask for an update if the deadline is difficult. The speaking order is not confirmed.

Use the same amount of help as before. Complete the task before opening the checking guide. Score the new response against the same goal and rubric.

Checking guide — more than one response can work

Include the two titles, deadline and printing purpose. Do not invent a final speaking order.

Review and return

Keep: date, task, help used, listening answers, four rubric judgments, a phrase supporting each judgment, and one next step. A longer response is not automatically a better one. After about a week, try another situation with changed details without copying the model.

Next: Unit 7: Disagree, Clarify and Suggest

Return to B1 home or Check Your Progress. Answers are not submitted or saved by this page. If audio is unavailable, use reading support and leave listening unassessed.

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Guided speaking: answer one question at a time

Answer about the situation or your own response in this unit. Each question stops for your answer. Take as long as you need, then choose Continue. Pause also works while you are thinking; Resume replays that question. This page does not record or upload your voice.

Guided spoken practice