Level B2 (approx. band 5.5-6.5) · General Training only Formal phrases can be learned as a set, so many learners find friendly letters harder. A task says write to a friend, and the letter comes out stiff: I am writing to inform you that I shall attend your celebration. Or the opposite happens: the letter is so chatty that it forgets a bullet point. In this episode: • Semi-formal or informal? • Friendly register • Phrasal verbs and everyday words • Mixed tone and bullet coverage • Model • Language bridge • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key points: • Semi-formal is polite and warm; informal is relaxed and personal. • Contractions, a warm opening, and talking directly to the reader. • In informal letters, choose the phrasal verb; in formal letters, choose the single word. • One tone from start to finish, and every bullet answered. IELTS Complete Course: a self-study podcast from A1 to C2 for Academic and General Training. Listen, pause and answer, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair. Independent course, not affiliated with the IELTS test owners.