Here is the second tutorial on General IELTS Task 1 Letter writing.

The aim of this tutorial is to help you:

* Understand the questions and the setting or context for the letter.

* Think about what to write – how to use the prompts that you are given in the question rubric.

* Understand how to start and how to finish your letters – with IELTS you cannot make mistakes on this!

* How to get your letter in a logical order which will help your coherence.

* How to use great grammar but make it sound natural

Let’s get going with our look at Cover letters and a more informal letter.

These letters require what we call ‘functional language’ which is specifically the kind of language used to perform certain tasks- for example in a Cover letter which is the letter which would go with your CV when you apply for a job you will need really useful phrase such as:

I am writing with reference to the position of computer programmer which I saw advertised in …..

I have previously worked as ……

This was a very successful internship/ job/ time in my life…..

I have always been interested in a career in ………………….

I consider myself to be ………………..

My skills include an ability to speak languages …..

I would very much like to join your team…

You could pause and write these down! These letters are of course much shorter than a real cover letter would be, so you need to be concise and precise but still manage to show this amazing language AND sell yourself!

Let’s look at a question and by the way all this vocabulary will also be useful for any Task 2 topic which talks about work, employment or careers.

Task 1 

A job application cover letter.

You are applying for a job. As well as attaching a CV you need to write a cover letter explaining your reasons for choosing this particular company and why you would be a good hire. Things to include are:

* Possible qualifications or reasons for you to be hired.

* Your energy and enthusiasm for the job

* Your past experience in a similar position

As before the guide is to write at least 150 words and suggested time is about 20 minutes. So here are a few extracts from some of our student’s essays which might help you to think about what you need to do!

Dear Sir, 

I am writing in response to the advert for a dentist in the jobs plus newspaper. I have attached my documents with this letter, which encompasses my curriculum vitae and qualification certificates.

I have acquired my undergraduate degree from the renowned University of Toronto and my academic grades have always been 90 percent, which is considered as a remarkable achievement. I have also done a vocational course of dental hygienist which I found very useful. 

Add in _ I have recently qualified from Uni with a degree in ..

Comment – done a course – completed a course, … which I found very useful. 

I am extremely enthusiastic regarding this job in your Multispecialty hospital as I have always aspired of working under your guidance. I would be working Currently I specialize in the endodontics and prosthodontics department and I am restless work tirelessly and am motivated for treating patients after joining and can work for approximately 12 hours a day as I feel satisfied performing dental procedures.

Comment – I am extremely hard working and motivated….

I have been working as a junior dentist in Alexa hospital in Alberta from the past 3 years and before that I have also attended a course on implant and have dealt with 40 cases of the same. 

It would be grateful, if you consider me as a suitable candidate for the position of a dental surgeon. 

Thank you for your consideration. I await your prompt reply.