Writing application letters

1. WRITING LETTERS OF APPLICATION
LEAD IN
What is important to you in a job? Choose the five most important factors and arrange
them in order of priority.
1. Long holidays
2. free lunches
3. high salary
4. flexible working hours
5. job satisfaction
6. some responsibility
7. opportunity for travel
8. having amusing colleagues
9. socially useful
10. normal hours or work
11. long lunch breaks
12. close to home
13. working with other people
14. good career and promotion prospects
WRITING FOCUS
A letter of application may be written when we apply for a permanent/temporary job
or educational course. It is usually formal; therefore, the appropriate language and
expressions should be used.
A letter of application may be written when we apply for a permanent/ temporary job
or educational course. It is usually formal; therefore, the appropriate language and
expressions should be used.
Useful language for letters of application (for a job)
Opening remarks: I am writing with regard to your advertisement/ I am writing to apply for
the post/ job/ position of/ which I saw advertised in…, etc.
Reference to experience: …for the last/ past year I have been working as…since/ for…/ I
have had experience of…/ two years ago I was employed as…/ I worked as…before…, etc.
Closing remarks: I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience / please contact me
regarding any queries you may have/ I enclose my CV and I would be glad to attend an
interview at any time convenient to you/ I look forward to hearing from you in due course,
etc.

2. PARAGRAPH LAYOUT
Task 1: Read the following letter and correct the mistakes. Write S for spelling, P for
punctuation, WO for word order, G for grammar or WW for wrong word

3. Task 2: Read the CV and the letter. Then, say which information given in the CV has not
been included in the letter. Finally, suggest alternative beginnings and endings to the
letter.

4. Task 3: Match the qualities with the professions. Some qualities can be used more than
once. Then make sentences as in the example.
Patient, alert, skilful, open-minded, dedicated, organized, approachable, understanding,
calm, imaginative, logical, creative, knowledgeable, kind, confident, able to cope in a crisis,
good communication skills, able to work under pressure, sense of humor, polite,
conscientious, tolerant.
‘

5. APPLICATION FOR A COURSE
Useful language to letters of application (for a course)
Opening remarks: I would like to apply for admission to the…beginning/ I would like to be
considered for, etc.
Reference to experience: I hold a certificate/ degree in/ I am due to take examinations in/ I
have taken/ passed the…examination/ I hold the following qualifications/ I have completed
the following courses/ degree course/ my degree is in English, etc.
Closing remarks: I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience/ I look forward to
meeting/hearing from you/ please contact me regarding any queries you may have/ I enclose
further details of my education and qualifications to date/ I hope that you can consider me for
entry/ I look forward to hearing your response in the near future, etc.
PARAGRAPH LAYOUT

6. Task 4: Read the letter below and underline the formal expressions. Then replace them
with similar expressions from the table above. Finally, give the topic of each paragraph
and say what kind of letter it is.

7. Task 5: Write the following letters in appropriate style
a. You want to go to Winston University to do a degree in History. Write a letter applying for
a place on the course.
b. You have decided to spend some time working this summer. You have seen an
advertisement in the paper for lifeguards to work for a month on one of the most popular
beaches in Sussex. Write a letter asking to be considered for one of the positions.