Pen pal project: a classroom guide for teachers

A pen pal project starts with a reason to write and someone who will reply. Students can introduce their school, ask about daily life and compare what they learn. A shared class letter is a simple starting point; individual letters or a joint project can follow when both teachers are ready.

Choose an exchange format

Choose the format with the partner teacher. Agree who will receive the messages, how teachers will review them and when each class will respond.

• Individual letters: students write to one peer. One possible plan is 200-500 words every two or three weeks; adjust the length and pace to the class.
• Class-to-class letters: children contribute drawings, sentences or questions to one shared message. This can work well in kindergarten through grade 3.
• Project-based exchange: both classes investigate a shared question and exchange drafts, findings or parts of a joint story.
• Class mailbag: small groups prepare several short messages and the partner class responds together. This suits younger students or a short exchange.

For a first letter, try a short introduction with three things about your class and three questions for your partners. Use school routines, a favourite book or a place in your local area as a shared topic.

Plan the first exchange

1. Find a partner teacher. Share the student age range, writing language, topic and dates you can offer. Allow time for a reply.
2. Agree on the exchange. Decide whether you will send individual letters or a shared class message, and choose a reply date together.
3. Prepare the class. Read a sample introduction and discuss respectful questions and information that can be shared.
4. Draft and review the first letters. Students introduce themselves through school-approved information, share three details and ask three questions.
5. Read the replies. Notice one similarity, one difference and one question to ask next.
6. Continue or finish together. Agree another exchange or a small shared product, then reflect on what students learned.

A four-week exchange with three rounds of messages is one possible plan. Leave more time where school holidays, postal delivery or language support affect the schedule. The teachers can agree the pace before the first letters are sent.

Keep the exchange teacher-led

Use your school-approved communication channel and permission process. Agree with the partner teacher how messages will be reviewed. Use first names or the identifiers approved by your school; keep home addresses, personal contact details and social accounts out of student messages. For a postal exchange, send letters through the schools.

Give students a way to ask privately for help with a message. Discuss how to ask questions without expecting one student to speak for a whole country. Share classroom photos or display letters only through the permissions agreed by both schools.

Give students a reason to keep writing

An exchange gives students an audience beyond their teacher. Plan for the writing skills you want to practise: clear descriptions, thoughtful questions, revision or a reply that uses something the partner said. Use details from the letters to connect geography, language or social studies to daily life.

After the introductions, choose a small shared task. The classes might compare a survey, write a story together or collect ideas for improving their schools. You might set a milestone every four to six weeks; choose a pace that gives both classes time to contribute.

Make the exchange visible in the classroom. Students can keep a map, a display of approved letters or a record of new questions. Choose what to display with the partner teacher and the school permission process.

Find a partner or programme

Start with the kind of exchange you want. The options below serve different purposes, from teacher-planned classroom projects to guided English discussions. Check the current age range, student access, cost and teacher controls before choosing a service.

Class2Class: build a shared classroom exchange

Class2Class helps you turn a pen pal exchange into a project that both classes can shape. Start with introductions, then choose a shared task, such as a story, a survey or a guide to your local area.

• Find a partner in Connect. Search for classrooms by country, student age or project focus, then agree your writing language and reply dates with the partner teacher.
• Build a simple timeline. The Project Assistant suggests learning goals and activities, including introductions, shared tasks and reflection. Review and edit the suggestions to fit your students.
• Share the exchange on the project Board. Teachers and students can post images, links and documents. Plan class letters and replies as activities alongside a shared task.

How Class2Class works shows the main steps. The Project Assistant guide walks you through planning the topic, activities and timeline.

PenPal Schools: guided English discussions

PenPal Schools describes a free classroom programme in which students practise English through weekly questions and responses. Teachers can see every message. Its safety page says communication is visible to the community and there are no direct messages, so it differs from a private one-to-one letter exchange.

iEARN: a shared international project

iEARN offers international projects that can give an exchange a shared purpose and a longer timetable. Its getting-started guide explains how teachers join a project and connect with facilitators. Membership and fees vary by country.

School partnerships: find a partner for your plan

British Council guidance explains how to look for a school partner by country, pupil age, project theme or subject. This route can help if you want to build your own exchange with another school. A local school network or cultural organisation may also be able to introduce a partner.