DELF B1, how to write an informal letter or an email?

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You are learning French and want to take the DELF B1 exam?
French via skype helps you prepare for the DELF B1, guaranteeing you 100% success.

At the B1 level, students become confident communicators in French, capable of engaging in a wide range of everyday interactions and expressing themselves effectively in both spoken and written forms.

Please note that to immigrate or become citizens in French-speaking countries must demonstrate B1 proficiency as part of their language requirements.

The DELF B1 writing part generally requires candidates to complete a written task of around 180 words in 45 minutes, which generally leaves plenty of time without stress.

In this post we will put the focus on how to prepare for the Informal Letter or the Email, one of the topic of the writing test.

DELF B1, how to write an informal letter or an email?

For the informal letter or email task in the DELF B1 exam, you should aim to write in a friendly and conversational tone, as if you were writing to a friend or acquaintance. Here's a general structure you can follow:

  1. Salutation: Start your letter or email with a casual greeting. For example:
    • "Cher ami" (Dear friend)
    • "Salut [Name]" (Hi [Name])
  2. Introduction: Begin by briefly mentioning the reason for writing. This could be to catch up, make plans, or respond to a previous message. For example:
    • "Ça fait longtemps que nous n'avons pas eu de nouvelles l'un de l'autre, alors j'ai décidé de t'écrire."
    • "Merci beaucoup pour ton dernier message. C'était super d'avoir de tes nouvelles."
  3. Body: In the main part of your letter or email, expand on the reason for writing. Share news, ask questions, or discuss topics of mutual interest. Keep your tone light and conversational. Here are some possible topics:some text
    • Talking about recent events or experiences: "J'ai passé un super week-end à la campagne avec ma famille. On a fait une belle randonnée et on a pique-niqué au bord d'un lac."
    • Making plans: "Ça te dit de venir voir le nouveau film qui vient de sortir au cinéma ce week-end?"
    • Asking for advice or opinions: "J'hésite entre deux options pour mes prochaines vacances. Tu aurais des conseils à me donner?"
  4. Closing: Conclude your letter or email with a friendly farewell. For example:
    • "À bientôt j'espère!"
    • "Gros bisous / Amitiés"
  5. Signature: Sign off with your name or a nickname. For example:
    • "Bises, [Your Name]"
    • "À très vite, [Your Name]"

Remember to keep your writing clear and coherent, and avoid using overly complex language or formal expressions. The goal is to communicate naturally and express yourself comfortably. Practice writing informal letters or emails on various topics to prepare for this task in the DELF B1 exam.

Here is an example of an informal email meeting DELF B1 expectations :

Subject: Nouvelles et projets!

Salut Marie,

Comment vas-tu? Ça fait un moment depuis notre dernière rencontre, et j'ai pensé qu'il était temps de prendre des nouvelles et de faire quelques projets.

D'abord, j'espère que tout va bien de ton côté. De mon côté, j'ai eu une semaine bien chargée avec le travail, mais j'ai trouvé un peu de temps pour me détendre et profiter du beau temps. Tu te rappelles du concert dont on a parlé la dernière fois? Eh bien, j'y suis allé et c'était génial! La musique, l'ambiance, tout était top.

En parlant de musique, j'ai entendu parler d'un festival de musique en plein air le mois prochain. Ça te dirait d'y aller? Ce serait super de passer du temps ensemble et de profiter de la musique live. Tiens-moi au courant si ça t'intéresse!

D'autre part, je suis en train de planifier une petite escapade en montagne pour le week-end prochain. Rien de trop ambitieux, juste une randonnée tranquille et un pique-nique au sommet. Tu serais partante pour te joindre à moi? Ce serait sympa d'avoir de la compagnie.

En attendant de tes nouvelles, je te souhaite une excellente semaine! À bientôt j'espère!

Gros bisous,

Paul

This email maintains an informal tone, addresses the recipient (Marie) in a friendly manner, shares personal news, suggests plans, and closes with a warm farewell. It's important to keep the language simple and clear, and to express thoughts and feelings naturally while including the grammar required at DELF B1 level.

Prepare for the DELF B1 exam with our DELF tutor

At French via Skype, our French tutor is a native French with international experience with more than 15 years’s teaching French in Europe and has had the opportunity to accompany many students (adult and children) in order to best support them in their learning of French.
Certified in FLE (French as a Foreign Language), our French tutor has great expertise in the different levels of French required and will be able to guide you throughout your learning of the language so that your level meets the specific expectations of the DELF B1 exam knowing exactly what the difficulties may be for candidates preparing for exams of this type.

DELF B1 courses with French via Skype, how does it work?

French via Skype offers you a full range of individual online DELF courses, materials and assessments to help you better understand the French language, prepare for all parts of the exam and in particular the DELF B1 writing test and pass the exam.

Our online DELF B1 courses are accessible to people who already have an A2 level. If you do not have an A2 level, we can help you reach the minimum level required to start preparing for the exam.

Our online DELF B1 courses are delivered via Skype, Zoom or Teams or on the platform of your choice covering all aspects of the French language in order to best support you in your objectives.

Our DELF tuition is personalized, tailored to your specific needs and pace allowing you to achieve your goals more effectively than in a group or classroom setting.

  • We will design a personalized study plan for you, based on your specific needs and your language level.
  • We offer an effective preparation with tailored learning materials (full range of DELF B1 ressources and assessments).
  • Our French lessons target key areas such as listening, reading, writing and speaking and meticulously work on each grammar point such as French connectors or the subjunctive to ensure that each area meets the requirements required for the DELF B1 exams.
  • For homework, we will assign you work to practice grammar, develop your vocabulary and prepare written and oral comprehension, written and oral production tasks. The homework will then be prepared and reviewed.
  • We offer you great planning flexibility. Our French tutor is available all year, during the holidays and after work hours.

Our online DELF B1 courses are ideal for practicing the standard exam tests and receiving personalized feedback in order to pass the exam successfully!

At French via Skype, we are happy to support French students taking the DELF B1 exam to guarantee their success.

Some testimonials from students who have prepared the DELF B1 exam with us are below.

“Laure was a great support during my preparation for DELF B1, thanks to her courses, I was able to pass with flying colors with a score of 92%!
We worked on each part of the exam, and she made me review all the vocabulary for each of the themes and she was able to make me assimilate the required grammar in a methodical way, this helped me a lot because I had quite a bit of gaps in my writing.
Not only was I able to pass my DELF exam but I also gained confidence with my speaking which helped a great deal in my day to day life. I highly recommend Laure's classes to anyone who wants to take the DELF! Thank you Laure!

Suzanna Langle, Researcher
(DELF B1) Brussels

“ I undertook 11 months of lessons to prepare the DELF B1 with Laure and was amazed by how much my French improved over this time. I had not studied French since high school, and prior to these lessons, could not have imagined being able to hold a conversation in French. Laure’s interactive and engaging lessons quickly became a highlight of my week. Laure emphasises practicing speaking the language - all our lessons were conducted completely in French and even during casual conversation, she encouraged discussion of sociopolitical issues. She has a lot of experience in preparing students for the DELF exams and her expertise in this area shone through during lessons as she guided us through the syllabus in a relatively short period of time. I highly recommend Laure for anyone considering learning French - she’s an extremely effective teacher and she gave me the confidence to continue developing my skills in the language.”

Dr Dana Lee
(DELF B1) Melbourne

" I’m studying with Laure for about one year now and I’m very satisfied with her very targeted and well-organised French lessons. If you like to invest your limited time well and aiming for a fast improvement of your French level Laure is the right teacher for you. The lessons are intense and you better be well prepared and do your homework as Laure is a very strict teacher ;). First I found it very challenging to work so hard on my pronunciation but I realized quickly that this is key to a higher level of French. Also I was very happy about the amount of time one talks in her lessons as I know from my own German teaching experience that this is crucial for an improvement of the communications skills. Together with Laure I prepared for the DELF B1 and thanks to her I passed it with incredible 91%. I could highly recommend her as French teacher. “

Erika Mantrino, German teacher
(DELF B1) Lausanne

‍At French via Skype, we specialize in preparing for the DELF B1 exam, you can certify your French language level with all the required French knowledge and with complete confidence.

If you would like to discuss your needs with us, we will be pleased to develop a teaching plan for you.

If you are interested in our online DELF B1 preparation courses, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if you would like to sign up for lessons.

À bientôt !