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If you are from the group of those shy students who have no idea how to approach any tutor, this article is for you. Browse through the working tips and get to know how to email a teacher about an assignment, curriculum, or any other subject.
Consider this piece a comprehensive yet brief and concise guide on student-teacher email communication. Consequently, from the sections below you’ll get to know it all. You’ll start and end your letters properly whatever the reason to reach out may be!
Be Clear With the Email Subject
Our first tip should actually go without saying. In the world of booming email marketing, the subject of the message is one of the defining features. If you really want your email not to get lost in the spam folder, always care to indicate a specific and clear subject.
Consider it as a title. Accordingly, the more specific you are with it, the higher your chances of getting a reply (fast) will be. Browse an approximate list of subjects that many students use in their communication with teachers:
- Asking for an extension for some assignments.
- Getting clarifications about grades, curriculum, particular rubric.
- Clearing things out about some too complicated writing task.
- Trying to get an appointment for a live meeting.
- Indicating all types of leaves (for health, family, travel reasons)
If you have ever found yourself facing the need to write an email to a teacher, have you hesitated? And, more importantly, have you done it the right way? Conversely, take a look at the examples of good and bad subject lines on the same matter.
| YES | NO |
| Extension Request for a History Assignment (Surname) | I need an extension for a task |
| Sick leave notification for [date] (Surname) | Can’t attend your module on Tuesday |
Start and End Correctly
If you want to know how to email a teacher about an assignment, cover the basics first. Any message you send to your tutor is a piece of business communication. Obviously, it should follow some rules. Some basic things will help you sound more serious and business-like. You will also stay polite and increase your chances of a positive reply to any question.
- Always start and email with Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. followed by a teacher’s Last Name. First name basis may be applicable to your friends, but this is not the case here, right?
- Abstain from colloquial language, do not use “hi” or “hello” in the text.
- End your email properly. Instead of “Cheers” or “Thanks”, use “Regards” or “Best.”
These simple tips will help you get the desired results from communication with pretty much any tutor, regardless of the subject.
Be Brief in Your Emails
In our days where everything works at the most rapid speeds, being concise is key to effective communication. This applies to everything, from office, remote work to education-related communication.
You don’t need to add all the tiny details regarding your situation. Sum up and have the essence of your message in the very first sentence of the email. For sure, the tutor will appreciate you treasuring their time.
Also, if you read these lines to know how to email a teacher about an assignment, start with the most crucial question. Try to keep the whole message to five sentences at best or even fewer whenever you can be this concise. Below you will find a good and a bad example of a letter fragment.
Example 1
Hi, Mr. Tomas!
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to meet the deadline because my Mom is really ill. I don’t want to cause any trouble. This is not a pleasant situation for me. I thought she’d get better earlier. Now I’ve found myself in this situation and don’t know what to do.
Example 2
Dear Mr. Porter,
I am writing to you to ask for an extension for a PR assignment. I will be able to hand it in on the 27th, which is a day after the deadline you’ve indicated. My reasons for the delay are related to health in general and the Covid-19 pandemic in particular.
Hope for your understanding.
Regards,
Surname.
Be Polite
Being polite might actually prove beneficial in many aspects of your life, not only student-tutor communication. The earlier you understand how to ask for favors properly, the better off you’ll be in life.
One good way to start mastering the skill of polite communication can be through emails you sent to your tutors. The basic tip is as follows – when asking for a favor, use such combinations as “if you have time.” Don’t try to be convincing in your tone of voice. After all, you are not in a place where demands might work. Moreover, take a look at the two excerpts below and feel the difference:
Example 1:
Tutor!
I need you to grant me an extension for an assignment. My reasons for being late are solid so I’ll expect a positive response.
Bye,
Student.
Example 2:
Dear Mr. Ronson,
Hopefully, if you happen to have some spare time this week, I might request an one-on-one session?
I’d appreciate discussing the previous Literature assignment in detail.
Thanks for consideration.
Regards,
Student.
Email to Professor Samples
We’ve been in students’ shoes ourselves, and there is one fact we know for sure. There is no better learning than by examples. Thus, below you will find some how to email a teacher about an assignment sample.
Let’s start with the one about not attending classes.
To: Tutor
From: Student
Subject: Class Attendance Surname
Dear Mr. X,
let me reach out to you due to my poor attendance at your lectures this semester. Be informed that my reasons for missing the classes are related to health. Kindly let me know how I can make up for poor attendance if it’s possible.
Thank you in advance,
Student.
Another example we’ll take is for those who are interested in their grades.
To: Tutor
From: Student
Subject: Requesting information about grades
Dear Mrs. Y,
I am writing to you to request information about my grade on the latest research paper assignment. I missed the class where you’ve announced the marks due to personal matters. Therefore, if possible, kindly notify me of how I’ve performed.
Thanks in advance,
Student.
If you happen to have a question reg some part of the curriculum, don’t hesitate to reach out.
To: Tutor
From: Student
Subject: A question reg Biology rubrics
Dear Ms. Z,
I have a question regarding p. 3 in the rubrics you’ve sent to us for a Biology class this semester. I am especially interested in points 2.3 and 2.8. Can you provide some details on the themes indicated there if you have time?
Regards,
Student.
Lastly, what about appointments? Ordinarily, you might need one or two during a course. Here is how to approach the matter.
To: Tutor
From: Student
Subject: Requesting an appointment in March
Dear Prof. XYZ,
I’d like to request an appointment whenever you might have free time in March. This is concerning my research for a dissertation. I would also like to receive your feedback on the first draft. Hope we will discuss these matters.
Waiting for your reply,
Student.
How to Email a Teacher About Missing an Assignment
Imagine the following scenario. There’s a student with lots of tasks due. Conversely, before one of the deadlines is over you understand that there is no way you meet it. Indeed, how to email a teacher about missing an assignment? This type of letter scares many.
No worries just yet. There is nothing wrong with missing some deadline – we are humans, right? If you don’t know how to write an email to a teacher about a missing assignment, we have a detailed guide for you. Read our tips and know that it’s always better to inform about missing some deadline beforehand!
