But even when you are learning French, it is still hard to get started on your letter/email because you want to make a good first impression and you want your new pen pal to be interested in writing back to you in the French language. You should know that everybody has trouble getting started when writing a letter or email.
If you are writing in French to someone who is close to your age, they will probably be interested in some of the same things that you are. Try to think about what you would want to know about your French language pen pal.
If you ask your French
language pen pal some questions in your letter, it will be easier for them
to get started when they write back to you.
Here are some ideas
to get you started writing in French:
§ Let your pen pal
know who you are and why you are writing to them. Tell them your first name or and your
nickname if you have one and that you are learning French.
§ Explain where you
found their name and email or street address, so they understand that you are
serious about finding a pen pal.
§ Next, tell them
your age, and if you are a boy or girl and what country you live in.
§ Write a little information
about your neighborhood – for instance do you live in a busy city or in the
country or somewhere in between.
§ Talk a little bit
about your family – do you have brothers and sisters? – list their names and
how old they are.
§ Share with them any hobbies you have or
talk about what you like to do in your spare time – maybe you enjoy video games
or reading. Give your French language
pen pal some details, like what are your favorite games or books.
§ Ask them if they have a pet – if you have
a pet, tell them about it.
§ If there is a sport that you like you can
talk a little about that and ask them if they play sports.
§ Things in your everyday life will be
interesting to your pen pal. You can
talk about your favorite color, your favorite music or what you like best or
least at school.
§ Trips or vacations are another topic you
can add to your writing in French.
Have you been on a trip or do you plan to go on vacation?
To
end your letter it is best to use something friendly in French language
of course, but not too friendly – remember you are just getting to know each
other. Something like “your new friend”
or “Cheers” is better than “Love”.
MOST
IMPORTANT especially if you are emailing is to keep safety in mind. Likely your parents and teachers have talked about
safety online. It is a good idea to let
your parents know that you are writing in French to a new pen pal and
let them look over your letter.
