COMPLAIN EXAMPLE

The seats were uncomfortable and your staff seemed to haven't any experience in passenger service. Furthermore ,as regards food ,during eight hours I had only some toast to eat.

I demand an immediate refund or I shall be compelled to take legal steps against you.

29^th November

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to draw your attention to my month's stay at your Falcon School of Languages from where I have just returned . I wish to express my dissatisfaction with what the school provided:

As regards learning English ,when I read your advertisement I thought languages laboratories and mixed nationality groups could have give me the chance to improve my English. Instead of these, most of the students were Spanish, classes were overflowing and there were no laboratories.

To make the matter worse, no breakfast was provided. Not only did everybody have to go to the nearest café but it also took about twenty minutes to get there!

Lastly, you advertise a "varied social programme". However, volley-ball was the only game that we played and although there was a lot to visit we went an only two or three trips.

You can imagine how disappointed I am to have wasted my stay in this way. I demand an immediate full refund ,or I shall be forced to take the matter further.

Your faithfully

INFORMAL

Date

Dear Anne,

How are you? I'm fine. Thank you very much for your letter and your photograph. You're always so kind and I'm looking forward to meeting you. I'm going to pick you up at the airport otherwise it would take you a very long time to get to my village!

You asked me what you should bring because you told me that in England it's colder than in Italy, but last winter it snowed here even if only for one day! I think you'll need the same clothes that you usually wear there. You'd better not forget your camera! In Naples there're lots of monuments and landscapes to immortalize! Finally, you shouldn't bring handbags but only a backpack ..it's safer..

Now I'd like to tell you about my life. I'm twenty ,I go to university and I'm studying English and French. In the future I hope to become an interpreter and to travel around the world.

I live in a flat with my mother in Pomigliano, about twenty minutes away from Naples by car. Then I have a lovely cat and it shouldn't be a problem as you said that you love animals. My mother works in an office in Naples, she is an accountant and she goes back home in the evening. You'll surely get on well with her and you'll feel et home!

Well, that's all for now. We'll see each other in three week's time! Please let me know if you have any problems .See you soon.

Date

Dear Pia,

It was great to read all your news. I'm sorry I have written so late but, as you know, I'm working hard and I haven't time to do anything.

I was so pleased to hear about your new job and your mother's recovery ,but I couldn't believe my eyes! You wrote that you have passed your driving test even though you have always been bad at driving.What a bloody miracle!

Thank you for the invitation to come and stay, but actually , I've already made plans for the Summer .I'm going to France because my uncle, who lives there, has invited me to stay on the French Riviera all month so I can't miss this chance!

By the way, Giorgio phoned me. Apparently ,he was terribly sad and I'm not sure I got it right about what happened. I only know they suddenly realised that they didn't get on well anymore. But I suppose there were other problems!

A part from that, I'm fine and my family is too. Even if we won't be together in Summer I hope to see you before you leave.

Anyway I'll have to say goodbye now as my dinner is burning in the oven! Write soon.

Lots of love Ian

COMPLAIN/GIVING INFORMATION

Date

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing in connection with the information about the work camp in Kirby that I read in the article in your newspaper . I wish to correct the information because I worked in this place last Summer.

Concerning the students ,you have written that there are about thirty and mainly French and Swiss. Contrary to this there were fifteen students at the most and from different countries . In spite of this, making friends is very easy because many sports activities are organised and you also have the chance to go for country walks, surrounded by a beautiful landscape.

Furthermore, you were imprecise in giving information not only as far as the job on these international work camps as concerned, but also conditions. Firstly, you do not work all day because you have free afternoons and free weekends too. Then you stay in modern wooden buildings ,you sleep in comfortable rooms where each room has a shower.

For these reasons there is a great atmosphere, so working there is great fun.

Therefore ,I hope you will rewrite the article also to give your apologies to the readers.

GIVING INFORMATION

Date

Dear Sir/Madam

I have just received your letter of congratulations ,I am therefore writing for information about the three week that I have won.

First of all I am interested in finding out if the outward flight is free as well and if someone will pick us up at the airport. Furthermore ,could you please let me know in which hotel we will be staying and its address ?

The letter also mentioned that three meals a day will be served, however could you perhaps tell me if there era set times to eat? Then, I would be grateful if you could engage a guide and clarify what is meant by "spending allowance".

We have chosen new York city and we would prefer to set off in the second week of April . Lastly ,as concerning special arrangement could it be possible for you to book a twin room?

Finally, I would appreciate it if you could send me all this information.

Date

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing on account of your advertisement that I saw in the magazine "Speak Up" and I'd like to receive the information about your school.

As regards me, although I have been studying foreign languages at university for two years, I have never attended an English school before. Fortunately my aunt lives in Eastbourne, therefore, she is going to put me up as long time I wish to stay.

Firstly , I would like to know how many hours courses are per day, the number of students in each class, especially Italians.

Secondly, could you specify when the courses finish and if any start in the second week of July? I would appreciate it if you could let me know the cost and if it includes something else, such as book or excursions.

Finally, I'd like to know whether the school has language laboratories. Moreover ,could you tell me if it is far from the centre or if it is on local bus lines?

I look forward to receiving your reply.

SEMIFORMAL/GIVING INFORMATION

Date

Dear Tom Wilde,

We have just received your letter and we are flattered that you have chosen our university for this interesting experience . I'm a student and the person in charge of giving you the information you need.

First of all, I think it might be a good idea to come here at the beginning of March when the courses restart and it isn't too warm. You could choose from many English literature courses from Monday to Wednesday but if I were you I'd also visit our university because there are many beautiful old buildings, gardens and lovely places.

As far as accommodation is concerned you should stay in youth hotel if you want to save or we could ask students to put you up. Then it's best to bring only jeans, t-shirts and casual shoes so you're comfortable but you ought not to bring valuable goods so you safe while you are walking about! Moreover, you should buy a travel card to get about the city easily.

There are just two other things ,you should specify where you come from and how long you want to stay. That's all for now. We look forward to receiving your reply.

INFORMAL/COMPLAINING/ADVICE/GIVING INFORMATION

Date

Dear Christine,

Many thanks for your letter, I can't believe you has got a boyfriend! I'm very happy for you! You wrote me that you want to go on holiday in Dorset with him. By sheer coincidence , I went there last summer so I'd like to give you some advice that you surely haven't found in the advertisement .

First of all, this cottage is a long way from Dorset and it's best to take a mobile phone or to go by car. Then If I were you I'd take winter clothes because the weather is cold. Moreover, I suppose that two double bedrooms could be very much for you so it might a good idea to find two friend to shave the cost.

Although Dorset is a little village, there are a great number of places to visit and a lot of sports activities to do so take enough money for these. Before I forget..be careful what side of the road you ride on! Lastly, write soon if you decide to go.

That's all for now .Have a good stay and write when you coma back home!

JOB APPLICATION

Date

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing in reply to your advertisement in Speak Up for a helper on one of your American summer camps. I am very interested in the job and I think I have the necessary qualifications; moreover I would be grateful if you could give me some information.

First of all I have already worked as a sports instructor on many summer camps in Italy and in England; therefore I believe that I have the necessary experience and my level of English is good.

Not only can I organize competitive, extreme and individual sports, which I have been doing all my life, but I also always get on with young people because I believe I am a very friendly ,energetic and responsible person.

I'd appreciate it if you could tell me which other activities you are going to organize, the exact place of the camps and if I could have free time; while I don't have any problem with the accommodation because my friend lives there.

I am very keen to do this job and I would be very happy if you could give me this opportunity .I look forward hearing from you.

Date

Dear Mrs Hunter,

With reference to your advertisement in the Surrey Advertiser, I would like to apply for the position of Italian teacher at your Fairfield House Language School in London. I think I have many of the appropriate qualifications for this job.

Fist of all, I would like to know how many hours I should work per day and how much I could earn. Would you also specify when the lesson start and where I could stay?

Secondly, I am 20 years old, I got my school leaving certificate with top marks two years ago and I went to high school specialising in classical studies . In those years I learnt the all Italian Grammar and Literature very well and I have often taught private lessons.

Furthermore, I have a good level of English and French because I have been studying them at university and my father comes from France.

I hope you will take my application into consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely.