cover letter writing lesson esl

How to Write a Cover Letter

Writing in English

In this lesson, students learn how to write three types of cover letters. They learn about formatting and useful vocabulary and review important dos and don’ts. We recommend using this lesson after our How to Write a Resume lesson.

Note: In the Teacher PDF, there are two additional sample cover letters. After the discussion on page 9, you can share the alternate sample letters (inquiring/networking) that are available on the last two pages of the PDF.

How To Use The S.T.A.R Method To Write A Cover Letter

by Sapna | Aug 13, 2017 | 2 comments

So, here’s what the star method entails.  It’s four simple steps for constructing each “example” paragraph of your cover letter.

Before you do this though, be sure you have a short, concise introductory paragraph that explains why  you are an excellent match to the job in question (see the section above!).

Remember, employers don’t only care about your “hard” skills  (those they can train you for on the job). Actually, soft skills are much more important in my opinion.  People want to work with good people, so show them that you have characteristics they want – like team building, leadership, and initiative.

The STAR Method is a quick mnemonic to check if your example paragraphs are on track. I’m going to use an example that has worked for me in the past, when applying to a marketing job at a large company.

I managed major sponsorship accounts and ensured promotional activities aligned with our brand strategy. In addition,

I coordinated and lead promotional incentive trip programs to reward sales managers for high sales. I also created marketing documents to promote sales team participation for sales rallies and events.

What is the context of your example? Briefly show the problem that exists in a situation you faced. Try to use examples that may also occur at the type of job you are applying to. Problem solving skills are valuable!

E.g.  While working as Position Name Here at Company X, 

Within this context, what task were you assigned? Be brief here

E.g. our team  needed to ensure promotional activities aligned with our brand strategy 

Next, what action did you take to solve the problem? Be specific!  Show that you took initiative

E.g. I coordinated and lead promotional incentive trip programs to reward sales managers for high sales. I also created marketing documents to promote sales team participation for sales rallies and events.

E.g. This resulted in successful corporate events attended by our sales dealers, staff and clients, and increased attendance rates over the previous year.

Remember to end your cover letter on a strong note, too!   There is no need to reiterate your contact information  (they have it already). Simply state why you’d like to work for them and reiterate your enthusiasm.

Cover Letter Editing Tips (for ESL Students, too!)

Of course, writing in your second language is always tougher than your native tongue. So, how can you (and your students) be sure you’ve got everything on track? Here are my top 4 tips for editing before you send:

1.  Ensure there are NO spelling or grammatical errors.   – In fact, this goes for native speakers, too.  A mistake on paper looks sloppy, especially since it could have easily been corrected beforehand.

2.  Have a native speaker or English teacher read it over, every time.   Even if you’re a native speaker yourself, be sure to have at least one other person edit your letter. In fact, I do this myself for any letter I feel is important to my future.

3.   Start EARLY.    So, I know that procrastination and time pressure can help get the job done, BUT, in this case I’d start early. In fact,  I attribute some of my successful application letter to the University of Oxford   to FIVE of my good friends. Over the course of two weeks, they helped me revise and edit, edit, edit!

4. Always print a copy before you send it –  Why? Well, printers simply don’t always portray writing as nicely as the screen does! Usually, the reader is going to print it out. So, to double check your alignment, margins, and how it looks on the page, print it!

Do you have more cover letter tips that have worked for you, or your English students? Have questions about cover letters? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Happy Teaching!

P.S. Photography fans, the photo for today’s post is one I took in Bordeaux, France in the summer of 2015.

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I got what you mean,saved to my bookmarks, very nice website.

Great article and helpful. Since im not a professional writer, i prefer to hire job application letter writer from contentdevelopmentpros.co.uk but i shared this article with them to make sure they cover all this.

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How to Write a Cover Letter Effectively!

By: Author ESLBUZZ

Posted on Last updated: January 16, 2023

Sharing is caring!

How to Write a Cover Letter ! Resumes may get you a job, but your cover letter opens the door, use the opportunity to address the employer personally if possible. This lesson will support you some tips to write a successful cover letter.

How to Write a Cover Letter

Cover letters,  as much as they require more work, cover letters are a great opportunity to cover qualifications we can’t fully explain in our resumes. In addition, they help personalize job applicants to enable them to come across more as real people to potential employers. If you throw together a cover letter in the hopes that nobody will actually read it, you might be missing a chance to land the job. To take advantage of a cover letter’s full potential, follow these steps below. You’ll find advice on formatting, reviewing, and researching cover letters.

How to Write a Cover Letter | Tips

• Grab the reader’s attention . Use a question or leading statement to entice further reading.
• Fill in the blanks left on a resume . A cover letter is your chance to say anything about your skills that can’t be said on a resume.
• Stick to one page.  Employers don’t have time to read a short story.
• Include evidence that you have done research on the company.
• Tie your own skills to the job description.
• Describe your abilities in terms of how your experiences will benefit the organisation.
• Ask for an interview.  Confidence can land a job.
• Use caution with writing styles . If you are applying for marketing position with a company you know is quirky, feel free to be a little more casual. If you are applying for an accountant or a legal position, remember that formality is the norm for many of these organisations.

Learn more about job interview tips .

How to Write a Cover Letter | Picture

Useful Phrases for Letters about Employment

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Bang Bol Rik

Saturday 18th of March 2023

And how can I write CV?

Wednesday 18th of May 2022

Very good page

Tuesday 29th of March 2022

Career, please

Thursday 10th of June 2021

This is great and very helpful

Oo Kyaw Khan

Monday 7th of September 2020

How to write the perfect cover letter

Esl news-based lesson plan, lesson overview.

This English lesson focuses on human resources. Students will learn the what, why, and how of a cover letter in this session. Students will view a video that demonstrates how to use Google Docs to draught and create a cover letter for a new job. The lesson contains discussion ideas that will help students to tailor the information to their specific requirements. They will also learn about the many components of a cover letter. They will get the opportunity to compose their cover letter after studying the predefined words and language that should be utilised in it. 

It focus on practicing key skills related to reading, speaking, collaboration and critical thinking .  You will need at least 90 minutes to complete this lesson, if used as a flipped ESL lesson . However, lesson can run up to 3 hours ( consider two  90-minute lessons or for university teachers adjust as needed).

While targeting intermediate and upper-intermediate language learners of English, it is highly adaptable as it have been purposely designed to faciliate mixed-levelled classes . This includes in a tertiary institution such as a university or within a professional environment, targeting professionals.

Lesson Includes

• Teachers PDF Lesson Plan with corrections
• Student's fillable PDF worksheet
• Interactive lesson slides for online.
• Interactive digital activities for LMS or teaching online.
• Type of lesson: news-based reading
• Level: Intermediate/Upper intermediate (CEFR B1-B2)
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Theme: human resource
• Learners: Young adults and professionals
• certificates: IELTS, FCE, CAE
• Tags : cover letter, job
• STUDENT WORKSHEET
• TEACHER LESSON PLAN
• TEACHER LESSON SLIDES
• INTERACTIVE RESOURCES

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| | --> by Susan Verner 89,343 views If you are teaching ESL students who plan to , walking them through the process step by step will garner them confidence and a sense of calm as they look for gainful employment. If your students have identified a job for which they might like to apply, you should now show them how to get the attention and the interview that they desire. The way to do this is through a . The cover letter goes hand in hand with the when a person applies for a job. Since many potential employers will not take the time to read the resume of every applicant, . Therefore, the cover letter is very important and deserves some planning and thought from its writer. A cover letter is similar to a . It will still follow the conventions and layout of a . If you have already covered formal letters or business letters with your class, they will know that . The letter should start with a and and then follow with the and his or her . Skipping a line, the letter should start with the . . Though many jobs for which your students may apply may not give the name of the contact person, if possible, your students should identify the name of the person to whom the letter will be sent. When a person reads a letter addressed to him specifically, he is more likely to have a positive response than if the letter begins with “ ”. Though it may push your students out of their comfort zone or their language abilities, each person should call the company and ask for the name of the person who will be receiving the letter. Make sure your students are certain of the spelling of the name and that they double check the address the letter and resume should be sent to. Another aspect of getting the proper attention when applying for a job is to , but these standards may differ from one culture to another. For jobs in the U.S. the letter should be spaced well and have . In addition, the page should not be filled with text but should say what it needs to in as little space as possible using . If a letter has too much writing on it, the reader may be more inclined to set it aside to read later and then never get back to it. Because the cover letter is an appetizer to the interview, the writer should . It is important that this point comes from the needs and desires of the company and not from the desires of the applicant. To make this connection with the company, encourage your students to make this connection by stressing that they value the company’s product, by highlighting their knowledge of the company, or by pointing out that they are familiar with the goals of the company. If your students still need some direction to determine this main selling point, have each student put himself in the position of the company. Have your students make some notes as they think about each of these questions. They may also need to do further research about the company to which they are applying. With the next part of the cover letter, your students should . The information in this section should be based on the that the company wrote. Using the information in the resume as a starting point, have each of your students pick out the most important pieces of information about themselves to bring to the cover letter. Point out that there is no need to rehash what they have already written in the resume but that they should highlight the items that are most likely to generate interest with the employer. Your students may stress courses that they have taken throughout their education, specific job experience that lines up with what the company is looking for, or knowledge that fits with the needs of the company. This section of the cover letter is where your students should paint themselves in the best possible light, for it is this section that will succeed in or fail to capture an interview. In the final section of the cover letter, your students should . Encourage your students to start the close of their letters by stating again their interest in the position and then requesting that the reader schedule an interview at his or her convenience. This may cause some ESL students discomfort since some cultures find it in bad taste to express needs so directly. You may want to ask your students how they feel about this and talk about . Finally, though it may be easier to end with a cliche like “ ” or “ ”, challenge your students to, instead, . They should then end the letter with a and as well as a . Encourage your students to reread their letter ( ) and that not every paragraph starts with “I”. In general, the writer should attempt to give the cover letter the same feel as the job for which it is written, so encourage your students to . Only one step remains in the process of getting a job, and it can be the most difficult one of all! This article is a part of our ‘How to Teach Your ESL Students Job Application Skills’ series. See other articles from this series here: If you enjoyed this article, please help spread it by clicking one of those sharing buttons below. And if you are interested in more, you should follow our Facebook page where we share more about creative, non-boring ways to teach English. . That's 4,036 pages filled with thousands of practical activities and tips that you can start using today. 30-day money back guarantee. --> Copyright 2007-2021 пїЅ Submit a worksheet Mobile version English ESL Worksheets Grammar Topics Vocabulary for cover letter ESL Teacher Cover Letter Example Cover letter examples, cover letter guidelines, how to format an esl teacher cover letter, cover letter header, cover letter header examples for esl teacher, how to make your cover letter header stand out:, cover letter greeting, cover letter greeting examples for esl teacher, best cover letter greetings:, cover letter introduction, cover letter intro examples for esl teacher, how to make your cover letter intro stand out:, cover letter body, cover letter body examples for esl teacher, how to make your cover letter body stand out:, cover letter closing, cover letter closing paragraph examples for esl teacher, how to close your cover letter in a memorable way:, pair your cover letter with a foundational resume, key cover letter faqs for esl teacher. Start your ESL Teacher cover letter with a personalized greeting to the hiring manager, if possible. Begin with a strong opening sentence that captures your enthusiasm for teaching and highlights your relevant qualifications or unique teaching philosophy. For example, "As a dedicated ESL educator with over five years of experience in fostering language development in diverse classroom settings, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to [School Name]'s commitment to student-centered learning." Tailor your introduction to the specific school or organization, demonstrating your knowledge about their values and how your skills align with their needs. This approach shows your genuine interest in the position and sets a professional tone for the rest of your letter. The best way for ESL Teachers to end a cover letter is with a professional closing that expresses enthusiasm and readiness for the opportunity. A strong conclusion might include a reaffirmation of how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements, and a statement of eagerness to contribute to the educational institution. You could end with a call to action, inviting the hiring manager to contact you for an interview. For example: "I am excited about the prospect of bringing my expertise in language instruction and cross-cultural communication to [School Name]. I am looking forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background and passion for teaching can contribute to your team. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience. Thank you for considering my application." Finish with a formal sign-off such as "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name. This approach demonstrates professionalism and a genuine interest in the position. ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers should craft a cover letter that highlights their unique qualifications, experiences, and passion for teaching English to non-native speakers. Here are key elements that should be included in an ESL teacher's cover letter: 1. **Introduction**: Start with a strong opening that captures the reader's attention. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. 2. **Teaching Philosophy**: Briefly explain your approach to teaching English as a second language. This could include your methods for engaging students, how you adapt to different learning styles, and your strategies for managing a multicultural classroom. 3. **Qualifications and Experience**: Highlight your relevant qualifications, such as a degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, or any other language teaching credentials. Detail your teaching experience, particularly with ESL, including the age groups and proficiency levels you have taught. Mention any specific skills or techniques you have used, such as task-based learning or the communicative approach. 4. **Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptability**: As an ESL teacher, it's important to show that you are culturally sensitive and can adapt to teaching students from diverse backgrounds. Share any experience you have living or teaching abroad, learning a second language yourself, or working in a multicultural environment. 5. **Language Skills**: If you are proficient in a language other than English, mention it. This can be an asset when communicating with students who share that language, especially at the beginner levels. 6. **Achievements**: Include any relevant accomplishments, such as curriculum development, student success stories, or any awards or recognitions you have received. 7. **Knowledge of the Institution**: Demonstrate that you have researched the school or language institute you are applying to. Mention any programs, methods, or aspects of their curriculum that align with your experience and teaching style. 8. **Soft Skills**: ESL teaching Related Cover Letters for ESL Teacher English teacher cover letter. Elementary School Teacher Cover Letter High School Teacher Cover Letter Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Teacher Assistant Cover Letter Special Education Teacher Cover Letter Spanish Teacher Cover Letter Kindergarten Teacher Cover Letter Related Resumes for ESL Teacher English teacher resume example. Elementary School Teacher Resume Example High School Teacher Resume Example Substitute teacher resume example. Teacher Assistant Resume Example Special Education Teacher Resume Example Spanish teacher resume example, kindergarten teacher resume example, try our ai cover letter generator. 428 IMAGES How to Write a Cover Letter: Useful Tips, Phrases and Examples • 7ESL ESL Instructor Cover Letter Example for 2023 (Skills & Templates) 16+ Cover Letter Examples For Esl Students Tips ESL Teacher Cover Letter Sample (also for No Experience) How to Write a Cover Letter Effectively! How to Write a Great Cover Letter VIDEO English: Paper 3: Writing a Covering Letter Writing a Perfect English Cover Letter with ChatGPT by Speaking Writing to a Character: Understanding the Structural Features of Letter Writing (Virtual Tour) CV and Covering Letter Cover Letter Writing Workshop Top tips for writing a cover letter in English COMMENTS A cover letter Look at the cover letter and do the exercises to improve your writing skills. PDF EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS Key life skills: Producing a focused letter to get a prospective employer's attention so that they then read the applicant's CV. chart paper or large sheets of paper to write onIn many ways the cover letter is equally as or mo. e important than a CV as it will get read first. You can do this 'Creating a cover letter' lesson plan a. How to write a cover letter ESL activities, games and resources for teaching upper-intermediate English students how to write a cover letter for a resume. How to Write a Cover Letter Get students excited about writing with Ellii's ESL lesson on How to Write a Cover Letter. Includes detailed instructions and practice tasks. PDF Writing skills practice: A cover letter exercises Writing skills practice: A cover letter exercisesWri. ing skills practice: A cover letter - exercisesLook at the cover letter an. ses to improve your writing skills.Preparation Match the vocabulary with the correct def. tion and. How To Use The S.T.A.R Method To Write A Cover Letter Need help writing a cover letter or teaching your students to write one? Read this post on how I used the S.T.A.R method to get it right! How to write the perfect cover letter in English Need to write the perfect cover letter in English? Our handy guide and essential tips are the place you need to start! 41 Cover letter English ESL worksheets pdf & doc CV/résumé and cover (ing) letter. If you want to teach your students how to apply for a job, this worksheet could help you. I started off with the résumé and let the students write a cover letter right afterwards. 9177 uses. A selection of English ESL cover letter printables. Writing A CV / Cover Letter ESL Activity Writing A CV / Cover Letter is a vital skill for adult English students. Learn how to structure effective practise with this important ESL activity. How to Write a Cover Letter Effectively! How to Write a Cover Letter ! Resumes may get you a job, but your cover letter opens the door, use the opportunity to address the employer personally if possible. This lesson will support you some tips to write a successful cover letter. How to write the perfect cover letter Lesson Overview This English lesson focuses on human resources. Students will learn the what, why, and how of a cover letter in this session. Students will view a video that demonstrates how to use Google Docs to draught and create a cover letter for a new job. 19 Writing a CV / cover letter, Writing Practice English ESL… Lesson taken several documents from the net to teach writing a CV and a letter of intent. There are several excercises related to the letter, listening excercises about interviews and online activities from some ... 989 uses. A selection of English ESL printables with writing a cv / cover letter, writing practice. Writing a Successful Cover Letter Summary: This guide offers tips and advice for writing a professional cover letter. It covers writing a cover letter from start to finish, including the salutation and sign off, letter content and format. In the first two guides, we've looked at how to write about transferable skills in a TEFL-friendly way and writing TEFL resumes from scratch. Cover letter: ESL/EFL Lesson Plan and Worksheet This comprehensive course plan covers the full range of language needs - listening, role play, vocabulary development. BEC Vantage This lesson introduces Reading - Part 5 and builds up to using it via guided tasks which look at typical examples and looks closely at determiners which are one of the types of words which students will need to ... Cover letter This reading and writing activity practises understanding text structure through referencing words and various types of linkers and discourse markers. C1-C2. 5-10 minutes. Proficient. ESL Cover letter guide To best prepare yourself before starting to apply for English teaching jobs, you're going to want to craft a professional-looking cover letter. Unfortunately, this is a crucial step that many teachers forget to include! How To Write a Cover Letter for an ESL Teacher Job An ESL (English as a second language) teaching career can be a rewarding experience for educators who want to help others learn English. If you're applying for an ESL teacher position, writing a cover letter is an important step you can take in the application process. Understanding the components and steps to writing a cover letter for an ESL teacher job can help ensure you include your best ... How to Teach Your ESL Students Job Application Skills 3. Generate Interest. Because the cover letter is an appetizer to the interview, the writer should start the letter with his main selling point. It is important that this point comes from the needs and desires of the company and not from the desires of the applicant. To make this connection with the company, encourage your students to make this ... Vocabulary for cover letter: English ESL worksheets pdf & doc Vocabulary for cover letter. the students get to know adjectives to describe personal skills and qualities for a cover letter; they work with the vocab and match them to definitions and sta…. Cover Letter Lesson Plan Use this Study.com lesson to teach your students about the what's, why's, and how's of a cover letter. Evaluate examples and have your students make an outline of a cover letter they later create ... 2024 ESL Teacher Cover Letter Example (+Free Tools & Guidance) The best cover letter example we could find for the ESL Teacher role. Build off of this excellent sample to craft a memorable story in your next application. ESL Teacher Cover Letter Examples [Writing Tips & Guide] ESL Teacher Cover Letter Examples [Writing Tips & Guide] Explore expert advice, essential formatting tips, recommended skills and real-life examples of ESL cover letters to boost your job application's success in the diverse world of English as a Second Language education. Esl Cover Letter Writing Lesson Plans & Worksheets Find esl cover letter writing lesson plans and teaching resources. Quickly find that inspire student learning. essay homework paper phd project resume review study thesis