Writing Application letter
Useful phrases for the opening
I would like to apply for one of the scholarships I saw advertised in your prospectus. [applying for a scholarship]
I am looking for an outdoor work during the summer holidays and I would like to apply for the position of hotel lifguard
assistant which I say advertised in my university's student newspaper. [applying for a job]
I have seen your advertisement for the post / vacancy / job of… advertised in the local newspaper on 16 June. I am writing
because I would like to apply for the job. [applying for a job]
Asking politely
Could you tell me... ?
I would be grateful if you could ...
I would be interested in having more details about...
I would like to know if/when/when/...
I would like information on...
Do you know if...?
Letter of application sample
Dear ......
I am writing to apply for a/the job of ..... which I saw advertised in "The Guardian" newspaper.
I am 26 years old and at the moment I am studying … at …. Having studied English for over seven
years I am a fluent speaker of the language. My qualifications also include Proficiency certificates in
both French and German. As far as experience is concerned, I have worked as ............. for ........... As
for my character, people tell me I am ...............
I feel I would be suitable for this job because ............ . This will give me the opportunity to ….. . I
would also like the chance to....
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours …
Name
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Writing Application letter
1. Read the job advertisement and answer the questions.
Summer job
a. Do you have to write a formal email or an informal Looking for something to do
over the summer holidays?
email? How do you know?
• Do you speak English?
• Are you a hard-working person?
• Do you have any experience of working in
a café?
b. What information about yourself do you have to
On the Beach café is looking for someone to
give?
help out during the busy months of July and
August.
If you are interested, apply in writing to
c. What question(s) might you ask? Olga Andreou at onthebeach@thenet.com
2. Read the email of application. Then choose the best answer
1. a. Dear Ms. Andreou,
to complete the gaps.
b. Dear Olga,
1…... 2. a. Are you still looking for someone to work
over the summer?
2……
b. I am writing to apply for the job in your
café which was advertised in the Weekly
Post on Friday 11th November.
I am 18 years old and in the first year of college. 3…… I am
a very hard-working person, and I have excellent marks at
school. I also speak English well and have just completed 3. a. I have never worked in a café before, but I
the intermediate class at college. This job will allow me to am willing to learn.
practice my English, which is something I would like to do. b. I’ve never worked before, so you probably
won’t hire me.
4…… I would also be grateful if you could tell me the days
and times you would need me at the café.
4. a. I wonder if you would let me know if the
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like any job is full-time or part-time.
more information. I am available for an interview at any b. How much time will I have to work, and
time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
when?
5……
5. a. Yours sincerely,
Matthew Bradbury
b. Yours,
3. Does Matthew mention everything in the job advertisement?
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Writing Application letter
4. A student used the following sentences in a formal letter. Rewrite them so that they sound more formal.
a. I can’t wait to hear from you.
b. I’m extremely hard-working
c. Yours,
d. I want to apply for the job in your café.
e. Feel free to contact me if you want any more information.
Planning and Writing
5. Imagine you would like to apply for the job below. 7. Write your letter of application (120-150 words). Use
Write sentences describing… the ideas from the exercises and language from the
a. Why you like meeting people. Language chunks box to help you.
b. Why you are enthusiastic about working in a shop.
Quick check!
Be sure to...
c. Why you are reliable.
➢ Follow this plan:
o Use a greeting
d. The work experience you have. o Say why you’re writing andwhere you saw
the job advertised (paragraph 1)
o Give information about all the items the
advertisement mentions (paragraph 2)
o Use indirect questions to ask for additional
A summer job information (paragraph 3)
Looking for something to do over the summer o End the letter politely (paragraph 4)
holidays? o Sign off
➢ Use formal language
• Can you speak English?
➢ Write between 120-150 words
• Are you a sociable and reliable person?
• Have you worked in a shop before?
Language chunks
The Sea Breeze gift shop is looking for someone to
Dear…,
help out during the busy months of July and
August. I am writing to apply for…
If you are interested, apply in writing to: I am …
I would appreciate it if you would…
Jim Manos j.manos@natgalshop.com
Please do not hesitate to contact me…
Yours sincerely,
6. What would you like to know about the job?
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Writing Application letter
8. Read the application letter on the right. Identify
seven words or phrases in Raquel’s letter that are Dear Ms Jordan,
too informal or inappropriate for a letter of
I am writing in response to your advertisement in the
application. Replace them with the words or Daily News for the Post-Graduate Diploma in English
Literature. I want to apply for a place on the course that
phrases in a – g.
starts on 15th September.
a. Completed →
I am 22 years old and have just done a degree in English
b. Attended → Language and Literature at Madrid University, which I
passed with Distinction. While at university I specialized
in 19th century literature. Now I would very much like to
c. I enclose →
increase my knowledge of 20th century literature.
d. I would like → I have visited Britain a few times and went to summer
language schools in Brighton and Oxford. I can read and
write English very well, and I am keen to continue my
e. Full details of →
studies in Britain to improve my speaking and listening
skills.
f. Hearing from you →
Here’s my CV with lots of information about my
g. On a number of occasions → qualifications and work experience. I look forward to
getting a reply.
Yours sincerely
9. Raquel starts the letter with Dear Ms. Jordan and
Raquel Gonzalez
finishes with Yours sincerely. If she didn’t know the
name of the recipient, how would she Enc. CV
a. Start the letter?
b. Finish the letter?
10. In which paragraph does the writer
a. Say what else she is sending with the letter?
b. Say how good her English is, and how she’d like to improve it?
c. Give details of the qualifications?
d. Say where she saw the advertisement and why she is writing?
11. Match a – f to form sentences appropriate for a formal letter.
a. I look forward to hearing from you 1. … , I have a degree in English.
b. As for my qualifications 2. … working in hotels.
c. I’d be grateful if you could 3. … send me details of the syllabus.
d. I should like to apply for 4. … at your earliest convenient.
e. I have two years’ experience of 5. … for interview from 1st March.
f. I am available 6. … the post of receptionist.
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Writing Application letter
12. You saw this advertisement in Daily News newspaper. Read the advertisement and your notes, and then write a letter of
application in 120-150 words.
MODCASTER UNIVERSITY
EFL EXAM COURSES
We offer a variety of full-time and part-time courses in part time
English as a Foreign Language that prepare students for
the Cambridge exams:
• English for FCE • English for CAE
• English for CPE • English for IELTS this one
Admission requirements
Minimum age 17. mention studies / exams
Applicants are expected to have reached a good
intermediate level.
Our courses are very popular and places are limited.
Apply early to avoid disappointment. give details
Please apply in writing saying why you wish to study
here, to the Director of Studies.
Your answer:
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Writing Application letter
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