CELPIP Writing Task 1: Writing an Email

CELPIP Writing Task 1 Sample Answer: French Class Level Change

This email asks a program coordinator to move you out of a French class that is too easy. What makes it tricky is staying polite about a free class and its teacher while clearly proving your level is higher.

Time

27 minutes

Length

150–200 words

Tone

Formal or semi-formal, depending on the reader

The question

You recently moved to Moncton and signed up for a free evening French class for adults at the community centre. You studied French in high school and can already have simple conversations. After two classes, you feel that the lessons are too easy for you.

Write an email to the program coordinator in about 150-200 words. Your email should do the following things:

Describe the class you are taking now.

Explain why the level is not right for you.

Ask if you can move to a different class.

How to plan your answer

What they want

A polite, formal email to the program coordinator asking to move from your too-easy French class in Moncton.
Cover: your current class, why the level is wrong, and a request to change class.

Plan (27 min)

Greeting: "Dear Program Coordinator," with your name.
Class: the free evening French class for adults at the community centre (give day and level, e.g., Beginner 1, Mondays).
Reason: you studied French in high school and can already have simple conversations; after two classes, the alphabet and greetings are review; you want to improve faster for work and daily life.
Request: move to an intermediate class; offer to take a placement test; ask about schedule.
Closing: thank them for the program, full name and phone.

Useful vocabulary

beginner level, intermediate, placement test, proficiency
conversational French, too basic, transfer, challenge myself

Phrases

I am currently registered in...
Although I enjoy the class, I find that...
Would it be possible to move to...?

Avoid

Criticizing the teacher; the issue is level, not teaching.
Forgetting to ask a clear question.

Excellent answer: around CLB 11–12

Dear Program Coordinator, My name is Ryan Mitchell, and I moved to Moncton from Ontario in August. I'm currently enrolled in the free beginner French class for adults at the community centre, which meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings with Madame Arsenault. After two sessions, I want to say how much I appreciate the program. The instructor is warm and patient, and the group is very welcoming. That said, I've realized the class isn't the right level for me. So far, we've covered greetings, numbers and the days of the week, all of which I learned during four years of high school French. I can already handle simple conversations, such as chatting with a neighbour or ordering at a café, and what I really need now is practice with past tenses and more natural, everyday speaking. I'd also hate to take up a seat that a true beginner could use. Would it be possible to transfer to an intermediate or conversation-focused class? I'd be glad to complete a placement test or a brief interview so you can confirm my level. Thank you for your help. Kind regards, Ryan Mitchell

188 words

Why it scores high

Vocabulary: 'warm and patient', 'That said' and 'conversation-focused class' allow the writer to praise the program and still make a clear request.
Content/Coherence: naming what is actually needed, 'practice with past tenses and more natural, everyday speaking', makes the request specific and convincing.
Task Fulfillment: offering 'a placement test or a brief interview' gives the coordinator an easy way to act, so all three points are fully addressed.

Good answer: around CLB 7–8

Dear Program Coordinator, My name is Grace Thompson, and I recently moved to Moncton from Calgary. I am currently registered in the free beginner French class for adults at the community centre, which meets on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 with Monsieur Cormier. I have attended two classes so far, and I really enjoy the friendly atmosphere. However, I feel that the level is too easy for me. So far, we have mostly practised greetings, numbers and basic vocabulary such as colours and days of the week. I studied French for four years in high school, and I can already have simple conversations about my family, my work and my hobbies. As a result, I am not learning much new material, and I am worried that I am taking a spot from someone who really needs a beginner class. Would it be possible for me to move to an intermediate class? I would be happy to take a placement test or have a short conversation with a teacher to check my level. Thank you for your time. Best regards, Grace Thompson

184 words

What works, and what's missing

Content/Coherence: listing 'greetings, numbers and basic vocabulary such as colours and days of the week' shows exactly why the class is too easy.
Task Fulfillment: worrying about 'taking a spot from someone who really needs a beginner class' adds a considerate reason, and the placement test offer is useful.
Vocabulary: the email is accurate, but phrases like 'I really enjoy the friendly atmosphere' are standard rather than precise or memorable.

Basic answer: around CLB 4–5

Dear Program Coordinator, My name is Carlos Ruiz. I move to Moncton last month and I register for the free French class for adult at the community centre. The class is on Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:30, with teacher Madame Leblanc. I went to two classes already. The teacher is very nice, but the class is too easy for me. We learn the alphabet, numbers and how to say "bonjour" and "my name is". I study French for four years in high school, so I already know this things. I can have simple conversation in French, for example at the store. I want to improve my French because I want to find job in Moncton and many job need bilingual. In this class I don't learn new things. Is it possible to change to a higher level class? I can do a test if you need. Thank you, Carlos Ruiz

153 words

What holds it back

Readability: 'I move to Moncton last month' and 'I register for the free French class' use present forms for past events right from the start.
Vocabulary: 'I already know this things' and 'many job need bilingual' contain agreement and word-form errors that distract the reader.
Content/Coherence: the content is clear, but 'In this class I don't learn new things' adds little after the example of the alphabet and numbers.

These are original CELPass examples written at each level. The CLBs are our estimates, not official CELPIP scores. How we estimate CLB