Any foreigner living in the United States knows how intense it can be to fill out a postcard or just write your address properly. When it comes to sending a postcard, the struggle can be real, so trust us, you want to be ready for that!
The goal of this lesson is to help you understand how to send a postcard, how and where to write the recipient’s name, address and even a few cultural insights.
How to Win a Postcard in English
Want to win a postcard from EnglishClass101? After you learn how to fill out a postcard in English… here’s your chance to win a personal postcard from Alisha, our host at EnglishClass101! All the way from the United States… and addressed directly to you.
Rules: 5 lucky winners will be chosen to get the postcard.
Act fast! The contest ends on August 22nd, 2017!
How can you enter? First, log in to EnglishClass101. Then, simply fill out the submission form below and press that “submit” button.
Any foreigner living in the United States knows how intense it can be to fill out a postcard or just write your address properly. When it comes to sending a postcard, the struggle can be real, so trust us, you want to be ready for that!
The goal of this lesson is to help you understand how to send a postcard, how and where to write the recipient’s name, address and even a few cultural insights.
When you check house numbers in the United States, you will find that odd numbers are on one side of the street while even numbers are on the other side. Also, numbers are assigned by distance in some places, so you might not find some numbers, since not all numbers are used. If you know the rules, you will be able to find a place very easily.
When writing an address, the name of the person you’re sending it to goes on the first line. The second line is the street address. The third line contains three things: The city, an abbreviation of the state, and the ZIP code. On the fourth line, you put the country.
Postcards are usually divided into two sections - one side is for the address and postage, and the other side is for your message. There’s not a lot of space, so you need to keep your message short.
John Smith - Recipient’s name
1504 Liberty St. - Street number and name
New York - City
NY - Abbreviation of state name (NY=New York)
10004 - ZIP code
USA - Country
Now you know how to write an address the American way! Here’s a tip: Since it’s not in an envelope, everyone can see what you’re writing on your postcard. So be careful what you say!
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You will have to find a post office to get it stamped. American post offices are easy to find in most towns and cities, and are marked with the symbol above.
Once you hand over the postcard or any other mail, they will weigh the letter and then tell you the price. After paying, you’ll get the stamps and the choice for the post office to take the letter then or for you to post it later. It’s not complicated, except for the communication aspect. So for you English learners, here are 5 survival phrases to successfully post your card:
Where is the post office?
Please give me a stamp.
By air mail please.
I’d like to send this to the U.K.
When will it arrive?
Now you are ready to send an American postcard or a letter. Not only you can send postcards, but also business letters or packages, as they follows the same process. Just check your shipping options. You can choose the EMS package tracking (Express) or a cheaper and longer option…You will find all the information you need on the English page of the Post official website. You can also choose either Spanish and Chinese.
Quick Tip! In the States, they go by pounds (lbs) and ounces (oz). 1kg = 2.2lbs 28.3g = 1oz The postal service in the States is pretty fast and accurate in getting mail sent. Mail doesn’t get lost so often these days. This has also made online shopping popular.
Understanding American culture and customs will definitely help you on your way to reaching fluency!
Learn must-know English words and phrases you need in the post office with audio pronunciation. And make English sentences using the words and phrases you learn and leave a comment. We’ll correct your sentences. Good luck! Don’t forget to download the PDF cheat sheet too!
Learn common greetings with our English in Three Minutes series! In the US, manners are important, and this step-by-step video teaches you some of the basics you need to be polite while speaking English. A native English teacher will explain the simple phrases necessary.
When living or traveling in the United States, you may want to send things to your home country. Not knowing what to say at a busy American post office might be a problem for you and other customers. So if you think you might run into a little frustration at the post office, be sure to tune in to this lesson!
This English lesson will teach you common English phrases to use in a post office in the United States! You will undoubtedly want to send letters and packages back home while traveling and living in the States. So, don’t miss out on this English lesson! Leave us a message while you are there!
