Agony Aunt

Students read a letter to an advice column (real or written), formulate advice, and deliver it conversationally. Targets modal verbs of advice (should, ought to, had better, might try, could) and the functional register of sympathetic guidance.

Anglophone newspapers have long hosted "agony aunt" columns — Dear Abby in North America, Dear Deirdre in the UK. The format is a gift for ESL: a clear problem, a clear response register, and rich functional language.

Procedure

Version 1 — Same letter (easier)

1. Show one or two sample advice-column letters as introduction. Discuss the typical problem-and-advice structure.
2. Give both tutor and student the same new letter.
3. Each person reads silently and prepares advice separately (3–8 min, level-dependent).
4. Share and compare advice. Discuss differences: did you prioritise the same concern? Suggest similar solutions?
5. Agree on a "best combined answer" — written or spoken.

Version 2 — Different letters (harder)

1. Show a sample letter.
2. Tutor and student each get a different letter.
3. Each reads and prepares advice separately.
4. Summarise your letter's problem to the other person before giving advice.
5. Exchange advice. Discuss: is this advice good? What would you add?

Why It Works

• Authentic functional language: real-world advice-giving uses modals and hedged suggestions constantly. The activity is the target language in its natural habitat.
• Reading-to-speaking bridge: the letter provides content scaffolding before the speaking demand.
• Empathy frame: the role of adviser is low-risk speaking — no one is exposed personally.
• Register practice: advice to a stranger calls for softened, polite modals (you might want to / have you considered) rather than blunt imperatives.

Key Functional Language

Register	Stems
Direct	You should... / You ought to... / You need to...
Softer	You might want to... / Perhaps you could... / Have you considered...?
Hypothetical	If I were you, I'd... / If I were in your position...
Conditional suggestion	It might help if... / A good idea would be to...
Empathy opener	That sounds really difficult / I can understand why you're...

Variations

• Letter-matching: pre-cut set of letters and responses mixed up; students match them.
• Character agony aunt: student responds as a specific person — a grandmother, a scientist, a comedian. Different voices.
• Celebrity letters: use real (or plausible invented) celebrity problems from gossip columns. High engagement.
• Written response: after speaking advice, students write a formal reply. Integrates the two modes.
• Agony panel: three students give competing advice; the "writer" picks the best.
• Group version: see Problem Page Advice for the classroom-group format.

Tips

• Pre-teach advice language before the activity. Without scaffolding, students default to bare imperatives (Do this. Don't do that.) which sound abrupt.
• Use authentic columns for advanced students; write your own (or grade the language) for lower levels. The sample letters below work across intermediate levels.
• Local colour helps: letters with Vietnamese/local-context problems resonate more than generic imported ones.
• Empathise first, advise second: model this explicitly. Learners often jump to advice without acknowledging the problem.

Source

Advice-column ESL tradition: Tim's Free English Lesson Plans Agony Aunt lesson; eslspeaking.org Agony Aunt activity guide; teach-this.com functional-language Giving Advice section. Newspaper agony-aunt format traces to 17th-century Athenian Mercury.

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Sample Letters

Introductory Samples (for demonstration)

Dear Holly,

I'm studying really, really hard for all of my classes, but I'm still not doing very well. What do I do? I've tried studying different ways, but nothing I've done works. I feel like I'm drowning.

Barely Passing

Dear Holly,

There's this girl I like, but she doesn't like me back. What do I do?

Help

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Problem Letters (for the activity)

Problem Letter 1 — Lonely in the Big City

Dear Holly,

I have just moved to Ho Chi Minh City from a small town for my job. Everything feels so fast and big, I feel lonely and miss my family and friends. Can you give some ideas on how to feel less homesick and make new friends?

Thanks, Lonely in the Big City

Problem Letter 2 — Nervous Newcomer

Dear Holly,

I am a student who is very shy. I have just moved to a new school this year, and I'm finding it difficult to make new friends as I'm scared to start conversations. Could you suggest some ways to overcome this problem?

Sincerely, Nervous Newcomer

Problem Letter 3 — English Learner

Dear Holly,

I recently started taking English classes. It's my first time learning a new language, and I'm finding it hard, especially remembering new words. Do you have any advice on how to improve my English language skills?

Yours, English Learner

Problem Letter 4 — Overwhelmed Student

Dear Holly,

I am a high school student and also on the school's soccer team. I have a lot of homework and additional training sessions. Balancing both homework and practice is tough, and I find myself feeling stressed and tired. What can I do to better manage my time and responsibilities?

Warm regards, Overwhelmed Student

Problem Letter 5 — Anxious Test Taker

Dear Holly,

I have a big mathematics test coming up in two weeks, and I am very nervous. I've always had trouble with math, and even though I've been studying, I'm not sure if it's enough. Could you give me tips on how to prepare for the test and overcome my nervousness?

Thanks, Anxious Test Taker