Don’t mind the trouble Sending emails to communicate with professors is an unavoidable thing for international students, and sending emails well can leave a good impression on professors.
But how to express ourselves politely and accurately is still a bit difficult for us non-native English speakers.
Today I’d like to share the five most common scenarios, from scheduling a meeting with a professor to missing a class due to illness, in the hope that it will help you.
Situation 1: Scheduling a meeting
Subject: Appointment request
Dear Professor [last namel, I am a student in your class.
I am a student in your class. I faced some dificultieswith [selecting a topic for my research paperl ect.],and [would appreciate it if I could discuss it I faced some dificultieswith [selecting a topic for my research paperl ect.
Please let me know if you are available to meet thisweek.
Please let me know if you are available to meet thisweek. Thank you for your time. Ilook forward to your reply.
Best regards, [your name]
If you are unable to see your professor during your office hours, you can use the following template
Subject: Appointment request
Dear professor [last namel), I hope all is well.
I hope all is well. I started working on my assignmentfor__and I just had a couple of questions to make sure that I am on the right track. I also wanted to ask aquestion about yesterday’s lesson on__, as I was a little confused and I want to ensure that I am on the right track.
I also wanted to ask aquestion about yesterday’s lesson on__, as I was a little confused and I want to ensure that I fully under- I also wanted to ask aquestion about yesterday’s lesson on__, as I was a little confused and I want to ensure that I fully under- stand the content for the test next week.I know on thesyllabus you mentioned that you have available office I know on thesyllabus you mentioned that you have available office hours at___but I am not able to make it. will you beat your desk at or___?
I am not able to make it.
[I know on thesyllabus you mentioned that you have available office hours at___but I am not able to make it.]
Situation 2: Asking oW to-Your Grade on an Assignmen tor Exam
In our academic career, we will inevitably encounter a class that gives us a headache, and this time we can ask the professor how to learn the class and how to improve our grades.
Subject: Extra Support on_-Dear Professor last name], I hope all is well and that you will be able to help me.
I hope all is well and that you enjoyed your weekend.1saw that you posted the grades for our last reports.I was a lttle surprised and discouraged by my grade. Iwas wondering if you offer any extra credit opportu-nities, revisions or if you have any advice for me onhow to improve on a future assignment.Are you Iwas wondering if you offer any extra credit opportu-nities, revisions or if you have any advice for me onhow to improve on a future assignment.Are you available to meet__or__to discuss my report and aplan?
Let me know what works for you. look forward to hearing from you,Best regards.
[your name]
Situation 3:Personal Advice
When you encounter some difficulties, and want to seek the professor’s advice and help
Dear Professor [last name], I hope all is well.
I hope all is well. I recently encountered/am strugglingwith__and I’ d love to talk to you about it. will yoube available_so I can come in and discuss this I’d love to talk to you about it.
Will yoube available_so I can come in and discuss this withyou?
Requesting an Extension
In case of unexpected circumstances, you want to extend the deadline for handing in your assignment, please remember to attach your supporting document to the email.
Subject: Extension on_
Dear Professor [last name], .
I hope all is well. I have been extremely busy and stressed with assignments in other classes and wit____ (sports practice,on Campus job, other commitment, health condition, etC.). I hope all is well.) I do not think that I will beable to submit my best work to you with all of the other tasks on my agenda. I was wondering if you would consider granting me an I was wondering if you would consider granting me an extension on our upcoming project/paper and submit itby__ ?
Please find attached the medical certificate.
I was wondering if you would consider granting me an extension on our upcoming project/paper and submit itby__ ?
[your name]
Situation 5: Not attending class
If you are unable to attend class on time, please remember to attach your medical crifcate to prove that you are unable to attend class.
Subject: Class attendance
Dear Professor [last name], This is [your full name], [last name], [last name], [last name].
This is [your full name], from [class name].I am writing to inform you that I won’ t be able to attend your class On,as I will do my best to look through the materials you provided for this class and ask for a copy of your medical crifcate. I am writing to inform you that I won’ t be able to attend your class On,as I will do my best to look through the materials you provided for this class and ask my classmates to share their notes.
Please find attached the medical certificate.
Please find attached the medical certificate.
[your name]
