A1 writing activities: first steps in writing English
Writers at this level can write short notes, fill in simple forms and describe a normal day in simple sentences.
Notes & messages
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A Note on the Fridge
Leave a short note for your flatmate: where you are, when you're back and one thing you need them to do.
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A Postcard From Holiday
Write a holiday postcard to a friend: where you are, the weather, the food and what you're doing.
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Join the Sports Club
Fill in a sports club form and write a short message saying which sport you want to try and when you are free.
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A Birthday Party Invitation
Write a short invitation to your birthday party with the day, time, place and what to bring.
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Lost Cat Poster
Make a short "lost cat" poster describing the cat, where you lost it and how to contact you.
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My Weekend Plans
Write a short message to a friend about your plans for the weekend using "I'm going to".
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Where Are You? A Text to a Friend
You are waiting for a friend outside the cinema and the film starts soon. Write a short text message to your friend.
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Join the Library: Fill In the Form
Fill in a library membership form with your personal details and write one sentence about the books you like.
Descriptions
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Hello From Me: A Profile for a Pen-Pal Website
Write a short profile about yourself for an international pen-pal website: your name, age, home, family and what you like.
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My Bedroom: Describe Your Room
Describe your bedroom for a class project called "Where I live": what is in it, where things are and what you do there.
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My Saturday
Write about a normal Saturday from morning to night, using time words and the present simple.
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My Favourite Food
Write about a dish you love for a class recipe wall: what it is, what's in it and when you eat it.
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My Family Photo
Describe a family photo: who the people are, what they look like and one thing they like.
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My School
Describe your school with there is / there are, your favourite subject and your teacher.
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My Morning Routine
Write about what you do every morning, from the moment you wake up to the moment you leave home.
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My Neighbourhood
Describe the street or area where you live: what there is, what you like and what you don't like.
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Describe the Picture: A Day in the Park
Look at the picture of a sunny park and describe what you can see and what the people are doing.
Reading responses
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Read About Ana's Day, Then Write About Yours
Read a short text about a girl's school day in Lisbon, answer four questions, then write about your own day.
About writing at A1
At A1, writing is about short, clear sentences on familiar topics: you, your family, your home, your day. You don't need long texts. A few correct sentences with capital letters and full stops are a real achievement.
Focus at this level: I am / I have got / I like, there is / there are, present simple, capital letters, and and but.
Questions people ask
How much should an A1 learner write?
Usually 25–60 words: a note, a postcard or a short description.
What grammar do A1 writing tasks use?
Mainly the present simple, be and have got, there is/are, can, and simple linking with and and but.
How can I help an A1 student start writing?
Give a model and a frame. Students first copy the structure and change the details, then gradually write more freely.