Writing Skill Focus: Writing Letters/Emails Highlighting Personal Significance (B2 Level)

At B2 level, you can write personal letters and emails that go beyond simple information exchange. You can describe events, experiences, and feelings in detail, effectively highlighting why these events are personally significant to you.

Key Abilities for B2 Personal Letters/Emails:

1. Detailed Description of Events and Experiences:

• Narrating events clearly, including relevant details about what happened, where, when, and with whom.
• Describing experiences vividly, allowing the reader to understand what it was like.

1. Expressing Feelings and Reactions:

• Clearly conveying your emotions and feelings about the events or experiences described (e.g., happiness, disappointment, excitement, worry, surprise).
• Using appropriate vocabulary to express a range of emotions (e.g., ik was dolblij, ik voelde me teleurgesteld, het was een opluchting, ik maakte me zorgen).

1. Highlighting Personal Significance:

• Explaining why an event or experience was important or meaningful to you.
• Connecting the event to your personal life, values, or future plans.
• Reflecting on the impact the event had on you.
• Example: Instead of just saying "I passed my exam," explaining how much effort you put in, how relieved you felt, and what passing means for your future studies or career.

1. Appropriate Tone and Register:

• Using a tone appropriate for the recipient (e.g., warm and informal for a close friend, slightly more reserved but still personal for an acquaintance or relative).
• Using appropriate informal or semi-formal language, greetings (Hoi, Hallo, Beste [naam],), and closings (Groetjes, Liefs, Met vriendelijke groet).

1. Structure and Cohesion:

• Organizing the letter/email logically (e.g., opening greetings, describing the event/experience, explaining its significance, closing remarks).
• Using linking words to ensure the text flows smoothly.

1. Language Control:

• Using a good range of vocabulary and grammar to express yourself clearly.
• Maintaining reasonable grammatical accuracy, spelling, and punctuation suitable for personal correspondence.

Examples of B2 Personal Letter/Email Tasks:

• Writing to a friend about a recent trip or holiday, explaining what made it special.
• Writing to family describing a significant life event (e.g., moving house, starting a new job, getting engaged) and your feelings about it.
• Writing an email thanking someone for something and explaining why their help/gift was important to you.
• Writing to describe a challenge you overcame and what you learned from it.

Importance for B2:

• Essential for maintaining personal relationships through written communication.
• Allows for deeper and more meaningful interaction beyond simple updates.
• Develops skills in expressing personal feelings and reflections in Dutch.

Learning Strategy:

• Practice Writing: Regularly write emails or messages to friends or language partners describing recent experiences and your feelings about them.
• Read Personal Blogs/Letters (if available): See how native speakers write about personal experiences.
• Focus on Emotion Vocabulary: Learn words and phrases to describe different feelings.
• Think About 'Why': When describing an event, consciously think about why it mattered to you and how to express that.
• Use Storytelling Techniques: Make your descriptions engaging by including sensory details and personal reactions.
• Review Conventions: Ensure you use appropriate greetings, closings, and general structure for personal letters/emails in Dutch.