Life in Words

A Simple Guide to Life {PART 2}

How to Email a Teacher Asking for an Extension

1. Write very professionally

Examples of an unprofessional emails (That Bobby-Joe has sent to his teachers):

- I wasn't bothered to do my work so I need another day to do it.

- I didn't have time to do what hw was assigned so give me more time.

- You set your expectations too high and I need more time to do my work that you set, and everyone else I have talked to agrees. So you're a bad teacher and give us more time or we'll send in a complaint to the police or something.

-i cba too doo mai werk, so idk y i am eemaleling u inne da ferst plase. 

What are the problems with this?

Firstly, Bobby-Joe did not address the teacher or whoever you are writing to. He needed to start off you something like:

Dear Mrs. Smith,

This starts off very professionally and the reader knows that it is meant for them to read and consider.

Secondly, he did not give a valid reason as to why he needed the extension, he just asked for it, with no meaning and respect.

Good reasons may include:

- My family wanted to take us out for dinner out of the blue, and said we couldn't do anything but talk to each other.

- I had sports on the majority of the night, and whilst I tried doing some in the breaks, I didn't have the proper headspace to think these through.

- From doing sports out in the rain today, I came home with a sore throat and a nasty tickle in my throat and my mum sentenced me to bed with Panadol and Nurofen and made me sleep, so I had no time to do it.

Those are just some examples of pretty valid reasons.

Finally, Bobby-Joe did not end his email in a polite manner. This is how I usually end my emails to teachers (using my proper name but let's pretend Remus is writing it or something):

Thank you for your time,

Remus Lupin

Sixth Year Defence Against the Dark Arts

NEWT Levels

SEE! VERY PROFESSIONAL! Also spelli things properly! AND USE CORRECT GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION

2. Address the situation

Teachers generally like to know that you are in fully aware of when the assignment/homework is actually due.

For example, this is how I usually 'address the situation', as such, this was one thing, dear old Bobby-Joe did not do.

I am fully aware that the Scientific Report on Chemical Change is due on the Tuesday the 21st of March this upcoming week. Unfortunately, I am unsure as to whether it will be able to be completed by then because (insert valid reason here). I would like an extension so I can complete it by... (insert date you will complete it- be reasonable)/

3. Compromise

Teachers will hopefully consider your request, but you need to be flexible enough to bend 'round the corner if they are being a stick in the mud (you know, not moving or being budged, gotta hate that... especially when they stick looks like it would be a good size and shape for a HP wand...).

It's usually a good thing to tell them when you are able to hand it up, and that you are going to work hard with the extension you have, to do the work assigned. But some work teachers give you make you question whether they even have a life.

I usually talk to my parents about it, and they usually reply, "If they aren't agreeing to it, direct them to us, and we'll knock some sense into them."

Or something like along those lines, perhaps a bit gentler.

Here's an example:

I am sure that I should be able to complete it by Thursday, and will hand it in to you immediately at the start of the lesson. If this does not suit you, then I can either email it to you or hand it in to you on Wednesday if I work extra hard. If you have a problem with this, my parents are willing to talk to you about it and give you further follow up.

4. Put your very professional email all together.

Dear Mrs. Smith,

I am fully aware that the Scientific Report on Chemical Change is due on the Tuesday the 21st of March this upcoming week. Unfortunately, I am unsure as to whether it will be able to be completed by then because I have come down with a very nasty cold and need to rest in order to get better and do work to the best of my ability. I got this cold from doing our sports lesson out in the rain this afternoon, and when I got home with my runny nose and fading voice, mother sentenced me to an evening in bed to sleep, as my colds can turn out very nasty, very quickly. I would like to have an extra day and a half to complete it.

I am sure that I should be able to complete it by Thursday the 23rd of March, and will hand it in to you immediately at the start of the lesson. If this does not suit you, then I can either email it to you or hand it in to you on Wednesday if I work extra hard. If you have a problem with this, my parents are willing to talk to you about it and give you further follow up my illness.

Thank you for your time,

Gabbi (Last name goes here but the teacher doesn't deserve to know it right now)

Year (you guys can guess what it is) Science 2017

AEP Program

Ta da! Now you can write emails to your teachers like a pro.

Just don't blame me if they don't allow you to have the extension.

Try to guess my last name... it starts with a B... it'll be interesting to see if you can guess it or not.

Lollypop671 you can't guess coz you already know it! 

-Gabs xx