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Subject: English
Semester: 1
Period: 3
Week: 14
School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: English Language
Grade Level: Grade 6
Date: Week 14
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 14, Period 3
Topic: Business Letter Writing
Sub-topic: Formal Letter Structure and Application
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
Define a business letter and explain its purpose
Differentiate between friendly and business letters
Identify the parts of a business letter: sender’s address, date, receiver’s address, salutation, body, closing, signature
Compose a business letter applying for a vacation job
Previous Knowledge
Students already know friendly letter structure and basic writing skills
Instructional Materials
English Language textbook for Grade 6, sample business letters, whiteboard, markers
Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Discuss situations where formal letters are needed (e.g., job applications, requests)
B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)
Time: 25–30 minutes
👩🏾🏫 Teacher Explanation and Demonstration (10 minutes)
📌 What is a Business Letter?
A business letter is a formal written document used for professional or official communication. It is used to:
- Apply for a job
- Make a request
- File a complaint
- Ask for information
- Communicate with an organization, company, or authority
🆚 Business Letter vs Friendly Letter
|
Friendly Letter |
Business Letter |
|
Informal and personal |
Formal and professional |
|
Sent to friends/family |
Sent to institutions, employers, or unknown individuals |
|
Uses casual tone |
Uses polite, respectful, and direct tone |
|
Starts with "Dear John" |
Starts with "Dear Sir/Madam" or recipient’s title |
|
Ends with "Yours sincerely" or "Love" |
Ends with "Yours faithfully" or "Yours sincerely" |
🧱 Parts of a Business Letter
Use a sample business letter on the board or projector, such as “Application for a Vacation Job” to explain structure.
- Sender’s Address (Top left corner)
- Your home address (no name here)
12 Peace Street
New Kru Town, Monrovia
- Date
- Written under the sender’s address
15 October 2025
- Receiver’s Address
- The name, title, and address of the person/organization you are writing to
The Manager
ABC Supermarket
Bushrod Island
Monrovia
- Salutation
- Formal greeting
Dear Sir or Madam,
- Body of the Letter
- First Paragraph: State your purpose
- Second Paragraph: Give details (skills, experience, availability)
- Final Paragraph: Request action (e.g., call, interview) and express thanks
Example:
I am writing to apply for a vacation job at your supermarket. I am a responsible and hardworking student currently attending ABC Junior High School.
I have experience helping at my aunt’s shop, and I am confident in customer service and basic calculations. I am available to work during the school holidays.
Thank you for considering my application. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you.
- Closing
- Use polite and appropriate formal closings
Yours faithfully,
- Signature
- Sign your name and print it beneath
[Signature]
James Doe
🖊️ Formatting Rules to Remember
- Align all parts to the left (block format)
- Leave one line space between sections (e.g., after date, before salutation)
- Keep tone professional, polite, and direct
- Avoid contractions (use “I am” not “I’m”)
👩🏾🎓 Learners' Activities (Expanded – 15 Minutes)
- Group Analysis of Sample Letters (5 minutes)
- Distribute two sample business letters
- In groups, learners identify the parts of the letter and discuss tone and format
- Guide them to answer:
- Who is writing and why?
- Is the tone formal and polite?
- Is the format correct?
- Individual Drafting of Business Letter (7 minutes)
- Learners write a business letter applying for a vacation job
- Encourage:
- Clear purpose in first paragraph
- Specific details in second paragraph
- Polite closing in final paragraph
- Use of correct spelling, punctuation, and paragraph spacing
- Peer Review and Editing (3–5 minutes)
- Learners exchange letters and review each other’s work using a checklist:
- ✅ Correct heading and address
- ✅ Polite and formal tone
- ✅ Clear structure (intro, body, conclusion)
- ✅ Appropriate closing and signature
✅ Optionally, ask learners to read their letters aloud and receive class feedback on tone and content.
✅ Assessment Checks
✔️ Formative Observations
- While circulating, check that learners:
- Use correct letter format
- Follow paragraph structure
- Maintain professional tone and punctuation
✔️ Written Letter Checklist
Teacher or peers use this rubric to evaluate each letter:
|
Criteria |
Yes/No |
|
Sender and receiver addresses included |
✅/❌ |
|
Proper date format |
✅/❌ |
|
Clear purpose in first paragraph |
✅/❌ |
|
Polite and formal tone |
✅/❌ |
|
Proper closing and signature |
✅/❌ |
|
Spelling and grammar accuracy |
✅/❌ |
📝 Notes (Expanded & Detailed)
🔹 Why Teach Business Letter Writing?
- Helps learners communicate formally in real-life situations
- Prepares students for job applications, school requests, and official correspondence
- Builds confidence in using English for professional purposes
🔹 Common Mistakes to Address
- Writing informally (e.g., “Hi, I need a job”)
- Missing sender or receiver’s address
- Incorrect salutations (e.g., “Dear Manager,”)
- Forgetting to sign the letter
- Using slang or contractions (e.g., “gonna,” “can’t”)
🔹 Tips for Learners
- Be clear and to the point
- Always check your grammar and punctuation
- Always start with a polite introduction
- Don’t forget to say thank you at the end
C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary: Learners understand business letter purpose, format, and composition
Evaluation Method (Expanded):
Exit slip/quiz: Draft a short business letter applying for a school-related task
Teacher will collect slips and provide oral feedback
Assignment (Expanded):
Write a business letter requesting permission for a school project
Follow-up Activity:
Peer review and class presentation of drafted letters
Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
Provide templates, model examples, allow collaborative drafting, permit oral presentation
Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
What worked well? ___________________________________________
What needs improvement? ____________________________________
Students’ engagement level: ☑ High ☑ Medium ☑ Low