Email to my teacher for UBC references

Hey guys, this is a email to my teacher in my tutor class for UBC references. Please leave a comment and scout out any grammar mistakes, thank you.

Hey Phil, this is Ethan!

How have you been? I'm doing great! Thanks to your strict and heedful lessons, I am currently getting a decent mark in English!!

I am finally graduating this year, thank you for taking a big part in my learning process. As this is my last year, I am applying to UBC right now. In my application, we are asked to have a reference the first person I thought about was you. The reason is, you are my huge impact in my learning outcomes. I believed that you had seen my gradually improvement both in academics and leaning habits through out my growth.

May I please put you down as my UBC reference? If it is inconvenient, please do let me know as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Best Regards,

Ethan Chen

Hai Ethan Chen,
You write letter for your teacher, it will be better if you deliver formal salutation like Dear Mr/Mrs or Dear Professor


[Dear Mr. Phil ]

It is not essential to give the chit chat in the first sentence of your letter, you can write directly your purpose

Hi Ethan, I am just wondering how close you are to Phil. Was he some sort of teacher to you? Why do you address him so informally? Is he a personal friend of yours? I am just interested to find out about these things because your relationship with him will set the tone for the request for a recommendation letter. If he is your teacher, then the tone should be more formal. Right now, I will edit the letter in its casual form. I hope that the casual tone will not be a problem for you :-)

Hi Phil,

Ethan here. I know, I've practically turned into a stranger since its been a very long time since we last spoke. Don't worry, I don't plan on becoming a stranger again anytime soon. How are you doing? I heard your life is going great. I am doing great as well. Just so you know, I'll never forget how much you helped me improve my English skills. I am finally getting decent grades in that class !

Anyway, I am writing to you because I have a big favor to ask of you. I'm graduating this year and I plan to apply at UBC for the regular term. So, they are asking me for a letter of recommendation and the first person that I thought of was you. I could not think of anyone else who has had as much impact on my academic life more than you. You have helped me become a better student and I know that you can accurately explain my strengths to the reviewer.

I hope you won't mind doing me this one favor? Don't worry if you can't do it. It won't change anything between us.

Best Regards,

Ethan Chen

You have two choices at this point. Use this letter if you think it can be of help to you or, use it as a template for your revised letter. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you can let me know if the tone of the letter is correct first.

Hey @vangispen,

Phil and I do have a interesting relationship. Although Phil is a tutor teacher, he and I holds a very close friendship as well. During class time, Phil will teach me more than just academics, he also teaches me many learning methods and study habits. Outside of classes, we are like very close friends, we would talk about everything! Therefore, my letter probably have a casual tone rather than formal. Thank you so much for your example! You kept my thoughts and my casual tho and write it as a formal letter!!

Hey Ethan, thanks for the clarification. I really needed to know that because of the tone that needed to be used for the letter. However, as I consider the fact that you are both Phil's friend and student, the letter should contain a little of both relationships in its tone. You see, before Phil is your friend, he is first , your teacher. Therefore, the tone of the letter needed to be balanced between a formal tone of approaching a mentor and approaching a close friend. The balance of which, is the letter that I developed for you :-)

Like I said in my previous response. the letter I wrote is an example of how you can approach writing it. Consider the facts that you have to present and keep in mind that this time, you are not asking for a friendly favor from a friend. You are approaching him now from the position of a student, asking his teacher to help him. So accord him, the relationship necessary for the fulfillment of your need, and the proper approach towards this. You can't be too friendly in the letter because he is a teacher at this point and he is supposed to be talking about you from an academic, not friendly point of view. So start the letter in the tone that is applicable and respectful of the situation :-)

Hey @vangiespen, thank you for replying with thoughtful suggestions. I learned something new again today! I learned how to write a letter which contains formal and casual tone. I will definitely use this method in my future writing. Yes, I am now clarified and understood the perspective establish between teacher and friend, especially when I'm asking for a favor from a teacher, not a friend in this case. Thank you so much for another valuable lesson Vanigespen as I'm so appreciate that you put so much thoughts and time into my suggestions and comments. Thank you! :)