Ideas for writing a letter in English to a family member or friend
Writing a letter is a very nice way to communicate, practise English and express emotions. Writing postcards or letters is a habit that is gradually disappearing due to the ease and immediacy of technology, but it is still a lovely way to stay in touch with loved ones or with new friends that may have been made during a course abroad.
To make it easy and motivating, here is a clear structure and several content ideas.
The tone of the letter will always depend on who you are writing to, as the style can be more formal or more informal.
Basic structure of a letter
Greeting
* Dear Martin / Theresa,
* Dear Mr. Perkins,
* Hi Samantha,
* Dear Mr. And Mrs. Bradley
Opening sentence
This part of the letter is the introduction, so we recommend something kind and easy to write:
* How are you? I hope you are doing well.
* I’m writing to tell you about my week.
* I miss you and wanted to say hello!
Body
Taking time to write by hand allows you to express feelings with greater care and closeness, strengthening bonds with friends and family. In addition, a letter or postcard becomes a tangible keepsake, capable of preserving emotions, moments and words that can be reread over time. In a letter or postcard, the most interesting part is the main content, where you can explain whatever you like. We recommend a series of topics you could use:
* My favourite day this week
* Explain what you did, who was with you, what you learned and how you felt.
* Something new I have discovered, it can be an English word, a food, a game, a place or a feeling.
* Things I want to show you when I see you again
* A list of curiosities, experiences or photos you plan to share when you return.
* A little diary (describe one day as if it were a short chronicle. After lunch… / In the afternoon…)
We also give you some English sentence ideas to inspire you to share whatever you want with your family and friends:
* This week we had a great activity…
* I made new friends from…
* I learned new words in English like…
* We visited… and it was amazing.
* I wanted to tell you about something funny that happened…
Closing
A simple and affectionate goodbye, for example:
* See you soon,
* Lots of love,
* Take care,
* Hugs,
And finally, your signature:
* Your friend,
* Love,
And your name.
From an educational point of view, writing plays a fundamental role in the development of key skills. Writing regularly improves written expression, expands vocabulary and encourages creativity and critical thinking. When writing letters or postcards, especially at an early age, students work on language structure, spelling and the ability to organise ideas in a clear and coherent way.
Likewise, writing conveys important values such as patience, effort and respect for others. Learning to express feelings and opinions in writing helps develop empathy and assertive communication, which are essential pillars in personal and social education. For all these reasons, encouraging the writing of letters and postcards not only strengthens personal relationships, but also contributes positively to the overall development of children and adults.