For: Independent learners who can explain a situation but need help making a polite, specific request in writing.
Test type: General Training Writing Task 1. Academic Task 1 is a different task; this lesson is not Academic Task 1 practice.
Study time: 35 minutes, plus an optional 20-minute complete writing attempt.
Your learning goals
- Turn three task bullets into a plan that covers every requirement.
- Choose a consistent tone for a letter to someone you do not know personally.
- Write a specific request and review a complete letter of at least 150 words.
What the task requires
General Training Task 1 asks for a letter responding to a situation and three bullet points. Write at least 150 words; allow about 20 minutes. The relationship with the reader helps determine the tone. You do not need postal addresses at the top. See the official General Training Writing format.
Assessment considers task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Use these as review areas: purpose and coverage, organisation, vocabulary and sentence control. See official scoring guidance.
Unlike the discuss-both-views lesson, this activity aims to achieve a practical purpose for a particular reader.
Strategy: purpose, coverage, action
- Identify the reader and your relationship. Here, you are contacting a course coordinator you have not met.
- State the reason for writing immediately.
- Give each bullet enough detail to make it useful. Avoid unrelated background.
- Make your requested action clear and realistic.
- Check that the greeting, wording and ending suit the relationship.
Use direct, polite language: “Could you let me know whether…?” is clearer than “I humbly beg your kind consideration regarding the possibility…”.
Original practice prompt
You have enrolled on an evening course at a local college. Your employer has changed your work schedule, and you can no longer attend the course at its current time.
Write a letter to the course coordinator. In your letter:
- explain which course you joined and why
- describe the change in your circumstances
- ask about an alternative arrangement
Begin your letter: Dear Sir or Madam,
For a complete response, write at least 150 words and allow about 20 minutes. You do not need to write addresses.
Worked example: annotated plan
- Opening purpose: ask to move to a different class. This tells the coordinator what help is needed.
- Bullet 1: Tuesday evening spreadsheet course; want to handle sales reports more confidently. Identify the course and give a reason.
- Bullet 2: new late shift on Tuesdays; cannot arrive before the class finishes. Explain the practical conflict.
- Bullet 3: request Thursday class, or information about the next intake. Give a preferred solution and a fallback.
- Ending: request confirmation and thank the reader. With the supplied greeting, “Yours faithfully” is an appropriate ending.
The plan uses notes; the finished letter must use connected sentences.
Complete model letter
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to ask whether I could move to a different class for the introductory spreadsheet course. I enrolled in the Tuesday evening group last month because I need to prepare sales reports at work and would like to become more confident with formulas.
Unfortunately, my employer has recently changed my working hours. From next week, I will have to remain at the office until eight o’clock every Tuesday. Since the class finishes at half past seven, I will no longer be able to attend. The new schedule is expected to continue for the rest of the term, so missing just one or two sessions would not solve the problem.
Could you tell me whether there is a place available in the Thursday evening group? I would be happy to complete any extra work needed to catch up with that class. If a transfer is not possible, please let me know whether I could move my booking to the next intake instead, and whether there would be an additional fee.
Thank you for your help. I would appreciate confirmation of the available options before my next lesson.
Yours faithfully,
Mira Patel
Why the model works
The first paragraph names the course and explains its purpose. The second makes the conflict clear, rather than simply saying “I am busy”. The third asks for a specific change without assuming that a place exists. The closing gives a useful response timeframe. This is an original teaching model with no assessed band score.
Vocabulary in context
- Enrolled: officially joined a course.
- Transfer: move from one class or booking to another.
- Catch up: complete work missed or already covered by others.
- Intake: a new group of learners starting a course.
Independent practice
You have booked a room at a community centre for a club meeting. More members than expected now want to attend.
Write to the centre manager. Explain the booking and its purpose; describe the change in numbers; ask about a suitable alternative room.
Begin: Dear Sir or Madam,
First, make a three-minute plan covering all three points. Then write the request paragraph. For optional complete practice, start a fresh 20-minute session and write at least 150 words, including planning and checking time.
There is no single correct letter. A useful request might specify the new group size, ask whether a larger room is available at the same time and request information about any price difference. Keep invented practice details consistent.
Common mistakes and corrections
- “I want you change my class.” Write “Could you change my class?” or “Could you tell me whether a transfer is possible?”
- A friendly opening followed by very formal language: choose a tone that fits the reader and maintain it.
- Repeating the problem without asking for action: name the change you would like and ask for the information needed to arrange it.
- Leaving one bullet as a vague sentence: add enough relevant detail for the reader to understand and respond.
Self-review checklist
- I made the purpose clear at the start.
- I covered all three bullets with relevant detail.
- I requested a specific action or information politely.
- My details, dates and circumstances agree throughout.
- My tone and ending suit the reader.
- My complete response has at least 150 words and uses connected prose.
- I checked tense choices, articles and sentence boundaries.
Support and your next step
Review ESS Past Simple Tense to describe a completed booking accurately. Next, write the independent-practice letter in one 20-minute session and revise it with the checklist. Later, choose a letter from the official General Training samples.
Original independent ESS practice. No official affiliation or score guarantee. References and ESS links checked on 30 October 2026.