Productive Skill (Writing): Writing Personal Letters/Emails Describing Experiences and Impressions (B1)

This B1 writing skill is a specific application of the broader ability to write connected text (see line 33). It focuses on composing personal correspondence (letters or, more commonly, emails) to friends, family, or acquaintances, detailing events, personal experiences, feelings, and impressions.

Scope and Characteristics:

1. Text Type:

• Personal letters (less common now) or emails.
• Informal to semi-formal register, depending on the relationship with the recipient.

1. Content Focus:

• Describing Experiences: Narrating events that have happened (e.g., a trip, a party, a day at work/school), often using past tenses (Perfect Tense, Simple Past).
• Describing Impressions and Feelings: Communicating personal reactions, thoughts, and emotions related to the experiences described. This requires using appropriate B1 level vocabulary for feelings (see line 20) and opinions (see line 24).
• Sharing news, plans, or asking about the recipient.

1. Language Use:

• Appropriate Tone: Using language suitable for personal communication (greetings, closings).
• Narrative Elements: Using sequential linking words (eerst, dan, daarna, ten slotte) to structure the description of events.
• Descriptive Language: Using adjectives and adverbs to make the descriptions more vivid.
• Expressing Feelings: Employing vocabulary learned for emotions (ik was blij/teleurgesteld/verrast, ik vond het leuk/saai/interessant).
• Connecting Ideas: Using conjunctions (en, maar, want, omdat) to link clauses and create flowing text.
• B1 Grammar: Applying relevant grammar (tenses, word order, etc.) with reasonable accuracy.

1. Structure of a Personal Email/Letter:

• Opening: Appropriate greeting (Hallo [Naam], Beste [Naam], Lieve [Naam]).
• Opening Pleasantries: Asking how the recipient is (Hoe gaat het?), referring to previous contact.
• Main Body: Describing the experiences, impressions, and feelings in logically connected paragraphs.
• Closing: Signaling the end, perhaps mentioning future contact (Ik hoop snel iets van je te horen., Schrijf snel terug.).
• Sign-off: Appropriate closing (Groetjes, Liefs, Met vriendelijke groet - more formal).
• Signature: Your name.

Skills Developed (B1):

• Composing clear and coherent personal emails/letters.
• Narrating past events effectively.
• Expressing personal feelings and reactions in writing.
• Structuring a personal message logically.
• Using appropriate informal/semi-formal language for correspondence.

Learning Focus:

• Practicing writing emails/letters about personal experiences (holidays, weekends, significant events).
• Focusing on using past tenses correctly for narration.
• Incorporating vocabulary for feelings and opinions.
• Learning standard opening and closing formulas for emails/letters.
• Reviewing linking words for narrative structure.