Looking for Work? How to Write An Amazing Cover Letter for Job Applications In English

Suitable for low intermediate and above CEFR B1+

 #cv #jobs #career #English #jobinterview 

Applying for a job can be challenging and time-consuming, especially if you are applying in English and it is not your first language. Whatever the industry, to get yourself noticed by potential employers you need to have a smart and impressive CV with a well-written cover letter to give more information about why you are the ideal candidate for the job. 

Here are my suggestions for how to structure a formal cover letter and fixed expressions that you can use to make a great first impression.

Opening 

Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss _______, 

Dear Sir or Madam, To Whom It May Concern,

Reason for writing 

I am writing to apply for the position of...

I am writing to express my interest in the position of...

I wish to apply for the position of...

I am writing in response to your recent advertisement for...

I am writing to enquire whether there are any vacancies for...

Introducing yourself

I am currently working at/as...

I have been working in my current position as a/an (occupation)... for (time)...

At present, I am working/ studying...

Education and experience

As you will see from my CV attached, I have a strong background in...and have gained valuable experience in...

My previous studies/professional experiences have prepared me well for a position such as this one. 

I graduated ______ university in (date)... with a degree/ master's degree in... and since then I have...

Why you are the ideal candidate

I believe I am suitable for this role because..

I am very keen to work for this company because...

I consider myself to be...

I feel I have many transferable skills that would make me an ideal candidate for this position.

I believe I would be an ideal candidate for this position because...

Closing 

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application.

Please find my CV attached for your perusal. 

Should you require further information or wish to discuss my application in detail, please email/call...

Should you wish to contact me I am available on (telephone number)...

I look forward to hearing from you.

Signing off 

Yours Sincerely, (if you know the name of the person you are writing to)

Yours Faithfully, (if you don't know the name of the person you are writing to)

Academic Writing Skills: Reporting Verbs

Suitable for upper-intermediate CEFR B2+

#EAP #AcademicEnglish #AcademicWriting #IELTSwriting

We use reporting verbs to write about what someone else has already said or discovered. In this post I will introduce some of the most common reporting verbs used in academic writing. Although they are all reporting verbs, some of the words have slightly different meanings and they have been grouped in the table below according to their function. 

Present beliefs or concepts		Neutral/ summarising	Present findings	Critique
hypothesises	maintains	describes	concludes	questions
proposes	declares	observes	pinpoints	contends
suggests	implies	summarises	demonstrates	rejects
claims	stresses	explains	illustrates	casts doubt on
argues	states	notes	highlights	reveals
assumes	mentions	explores	shows	alleges
asserts	emphasises	provides evidence	points out	exaggerates

Remember that the verb ending will change according to the grammar of the sentence. The verbs here are listed in present simple but you may wish to choose another appropriate tense in your writing.

Activity 1

Match the reporting verb with the correct meaning.

1. Explains                    a. indicates the source (writer or researcher) disagrees with something. 

2. Notes                         b. indicates that the source has presented something as a fact. 

3. Suggests                    c. indicates that the source gives details about how or why something happens.

4. Claims                       d. indicates the source talks about something briefly.

5. Rejects                      e. indicates the presence of an opposing view.

6. Argues                       f. indicates the source has presented something as a fact that might not be a fact.

7. Emphasises               g. indicates that the source's most important point or idea. 

8. Assumes                    h. indicates that the source says something indirectly.

9. States                        I. indicates that the source has an idea they strongly believe to be true. 

10. Implies                    j. indicates that the source has an idea they think might possibly be true.

Activity 2

Complete the sentences with an appropriate reporting verb from the table above.

1. Smith (2010) ___________ previous research in the field.

2. Adamson (2003) ___________ that all teachers are influenced by their students.

3. Tomlins (2017) ____________ how differences in methodology can influence research findings.

4. Crouch et al. (2014) ____________ an association between genes and heart disease.

5. Edwards (2018) ____________ the importance of taking a pragmatic approach.

Post your answers in the comments. Don't forget to subscribe for more FREE English content.

IELTS Writing Task 1: How to Use the Passive Form of Present Simple

Suitable for intermediate CEFR B1+

The passive form of present simple is often used to describe processes, where the person completing an action is either not important or unknown. You can often see the passive form of present simple used in formal texts that describe processes and in documentary programmes. 

The passive form of present simple is also used in part 1 of the academic IELTS writing test to describe process diagrams. 

The passive form of present simple is made with the present form of the verb to be. 

is / are + past participle (third form)

For example:

          Cars are made in the factory. 

          The cows are milked every morning

          The coffee beans are harvested in South America.

          The plastic is dyed one of three colours. 

          The pond is cleaned thoroughly, and weeds are removed every year. 

In these sentences the object receiving the action (verb) is most important and comes at the beginning and the person or subject completing the action is omitted. In some cases the subject may be added to the end of a sentence in the passive form using the preposition by.

Now try changing the active sentences in the following exercise into the passive form.

Exercise

1. The boss sends a weekly email to the employees. 

2. People destroy the rainforest.

3. The secretary deletes unnecessary files. 

4. Housekeepers clean the hotel rooms every day.  

5. Birds eat a variety of insects.

Post your answers in the comments below.