★ Learn American English Easy

Short Messages: Texts and Quick Notes

A1 · Writing Lab · about 15 minutes

Learn→See an Example→Analyze→Practice→Write→Check→Improve→Rewrite
🎯 Objective. Write short, friendly messages — to say thank you, ask a question, change a plan, or tell someone you are late.

1 · Learn

Text messages are short, but they still follow rules: say hello, give your news or question, and finish politely. One or two sentences is enough — but write real words, not letter puzzles. “See you at 5” is clear; “c u @ 5” looks careless outside close friends.

Always say who you are in a first message to a new person: “Hi, this is Emma from English class.” The reader may not have your number saved.

2 · See an Example

Three Messages That Work

Hi Anna, this is Lily. Thank you for the notes from class. See you tomorrow!

Hi Tom. I am sorry, but I am late. The bus is slow today. I arrive at 6:30.

Hello Mr. Parker. This is Jack from the morning class. I have a question about the homework. Thank you!

3 · Analyze the Example

Useful Vocabulary

late — after the planned time

I am late for class.

arrive — to get to a place

The train arrives at 9.

question — something you ask

I have a question about the test.

tomorrow — the day after today

See you tomorrow!

sorry — the word you use when you apologize

I am sorry, but I am busy.

Useful Expressions

Common Mistakes

✗ Hi. I late today.

✓ Hi. I am late today.

“Late” is an adjective — it needs “am/is/are”: I am late.

✗ Tank you for the book.

✓ Thank you for the book.

Spell the phrase in full: “Thank you”, never “Tank you”.

✗ See you tomorrow at.

✓ See you tomorrow.

Do not end a sentence with a hanging “at” — give the time or cut the word.

4 · Guided Practice

  1. Write a message: you thank your friend Sara for a photo. Start with your name.

    See a model answer

    Hi Sara, this is Emma. Thank you for the photo!

  2. Fix the message: “hi mr. lee i a question have”

    See a model answer

    Hi Mr. Lee. I have a question.

  3. Write one sentence to tell your teacher you are late, with a time.

    See a model answer

    Example: I am sorry, I am late. I arrive at 9:15.

5 · Write — Your Task

✍️ Write two short messages: (1) thank a classmate for help with homework; (2) tell a friend you are late and give your arrival time.

Goal: 2 messages, 1–3 sentences each · Length: 25–45 words total

  • Introduce yourself in message 1 if it is a first message.
  • One idea per message.
  • Write words in full — no “u” or “c u” in practice writing.
✍️ Writing Studio0 words
Sentences: 0Tap an expression to insert it:
Hi, this is …Thank you for …I am sorry, but …See you at …I have a question about …

6 · Check — Self-Check

Work through your checklist honestly, then run the Self-Check. It counts words and sentences and spots mechanical points — it does not grade your English. You are the editor.

Read a model answer for the task

Hi Michael, this is David from English class. Thank you for your help with the homework. The sentences are clear now!

Hi Emma. I am sorry, but I am late. The traffic is bad. I arrive at 7:15.

7 · Improve & Rewrite

Weak version — rewrite it in your notebook first, then compare:

hi. thx for notes. i late, bus problem. c u 6

See an improved version

Hi, this is Tom. Thank you for the notes. I am late — the bus has a problem. See you at 6.

Quick Quiz

Keep going

📘 Grammar deep-dive: The Verb BE: am / is / are🌱 Vocabulary Builder: the A1 Time Basics set

← Previous lesson · A1 — all lessons · Next: Your First Email: Greeting, Message, Closing →

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