LESSON PLAN

LETTER OF APPLICATION
Teacher: IRINA APETREI
Date: 23rd February, 2005
Class: X A
No. of Ss: 29
Lesson type: Writing

School: Gr. Sc. Ind. De Marina, Constanta

Time: from 8 to 8:50
Level: Upper-Intermediate
Textbook: English Forever
Lesson: Reaching Higher

Lesson aims:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

to introduce the topic of the lesson: letters of application for a job

to present Ss the main features of a letter of application for a job
to familiarize Ss with the layout and style of a letter of application
to practise language used in a letter of application
to develop the writing skills of the Ss

Teaching materials: - handouts (adapted from textbooks Opportunities and Inside Out)
ACTIVITIES
Activity 1
Aim: a warm-up activity to introduce Ss to the topic and to practise the speaking skill
Procedure:
1. T asks Ss the question: What do you think the stages involved in applying for a job
are?
2. Ss give their opinion freely
3. T then gives the Ss the handouts and asks them to check if their predictions were more
or less true
4. One S reads the stages from the handout
Interaction: T-S; S-T

Time: 5 mins

Activity 2
Aim: a predictive activity about the layout of a letter of application for a job
Procedure:
1. T asks the Ss the question: What kind of information do you think you should provide
in a letter of application for a job?
2. Ss give their opinion freely
3. T writes their ideas on the Bb
Interaction: T-S; S-T

Time: 5 mins

Activity 3
Aim: a reading-comprehension activity so as to practise reading skills
Procedure:
1. T asks Ss to perform Activity 3 on their handouts
2. Ss perform the task individually
3. T monitors the activity
4. Ss deliver the answers to the T

Interaction: S- S; S-T

Time: 10 mins

Activity 4
Aim: a matching exercise in order to come up with the layout of a letter of application
Procedure:
1. T asks the Ss to perform the matching task
2. Ss work in pairs
3. T monitors the activity
4. Ss deliver the answers to the T and the T corrects them if necessary
Interaction: S-S; S-T

Time: 5 mins

Activity 5
Aim: a matching activity to get Ss familiar with expressions and vocabulary used in a L of A
Procedure:
1. T asks the Ss to perform activity 5 on the handouts
2. Ss perform the activity in pairs
3. T monitors the activity
4. S deliver the answers to the T and T corrects them if necessary
Interaction: T-S; S-S

Time: 10 mins.

Activity 6
Aim: a matching activity to practise language used in a letter of application
Procedure:
1. T asks Ss to perform activity 7 from the handouts
2. Ss perform the task
3. T monitors the activity
4. Ss deliver the answers and T checks them
Interaction: T-S; S-T

Time: 5 mins.

Activity 7
Aim: a jumbled text to further practise the layout of the letter
Procedure:
1. T asks Ss to perform activity 6 on the handouts
2. Ss perform the task in pairs
3. T monitors the activity
4. Ss deliver the answers to the T and the T corrects them, if necessary
Interaction: S-S; S-T

Time: 10 mins.

Homework:
You have decided to spend some time working this summer. You have seen an advertisement
in the newspaper for lifeguards to work for a month on one of the most popular beaches in
Sussex. Write a letter of application asking to be considered for one of the positions.

HANDOUT
Activity 1
Stages involved in getting a job: 1. Reading the advertisements; 2. Telephoning or writing for information;
3. Preparing a resum (CV); 4. Writing or filling in an application form; 5. The interview

Activity 3: Read the advertisement, the CV and the letter bellow. Answer these questions:
1.
1.

What reasons does Maureen give for applying for the job?
What evidence does she give to show that :
a) she is hard-working and committed?
b) she understands people from other cultures?
c) she could teach maths?
3. Do you think Maureens application would be successful? Why or why not?

Activity 4: Match the parts of the letter (1-11) with the following topics (a-k):
a) senders signature; b) senders name printed; c) qualifications and practical skills; d) the date; e) greeting; f) reasons for
writing; g) formal ending; h) name and address of the company; i) reasons for interest in the job; j) personal qualities with
examples; k) senders address
WORLD AID

CURRICULUM VITAE

Join WORLD AID and work with local communities in the Third
World. We are looking for volunteers to work in our camp near
Chittagong in Bangladesh:

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: Maureen Taylor
Date of birth: 21.03.81
Nationality: British
Address: 87 Orchard Rise, Bishop Castle SY9 7H
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Secondary school: Newcastle, 1992-99
A levels: English Literature (C), Maths (B), Economics (D)
EXPERIENCE
Voluntary work for Community Links 1996Teaching English St Paulss Church, Bishops Castle
OTHER SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Driving licence; First Aid Certificate
(First Class)
INTERESTS
Reading; cinema; cooking; swimming.

to participate in our flood control and tree-planting

operation,
to help look after small children,
to teach basic maths to primary children,
to work on a survey of local wildlife.

Minimum stay three months. Write to Michael Cartwright, (World

Aid, Palmers House, Ludford SY18X) saying what kind of work you
are interested in. Give details about yourself, say why you are interested
and why you are suitable for the work. Successful applicants will
receive free transportation, accommodation and board.

(1)

87 Orchard Rise,
Bishops Castle,
Oxfordshire.
(2) September 15, 2001

(3) Mr Michael Cartwright

World Aid,
Palmers House,
Ludford.
(4) Dear Mr Cartwright,
(5) I am writing to apply for the job of volunteer worker which I saw advertised in The Guardian last week. I would be interested in teaching
maths to primary children in your camp in Chittagong in Bangladesh. I enclose a copy of my CV.
(6) I am 18 years old and I have just finished secondary school in Newcastle. I would like to work for you because I am very interested in
teaching. I would also like to learn about a different culture as I feel that intercultural understanding is extremely important.
(7) I am a hard-working and committed person. I have participated for the last three years in a voluntary programme, Community Links, visiting
elderly people in my local area. I also feel that I can get on well with people from other cultural backgrounds, since I have also taught
immigrant children English at our church school.
(8) I think I would be a good primary teacher of maths due to my teaching experience. Also, I have recently passed my Maths A level (grade B),
so I have a good understanding of the subject. In addition, I hold a certificate in first aid, which might be useful.
(9) I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
(10) Maureen Taylor
(11) Ms Maureen Taylor

Activity 5
Complete these sentences or phrases with a word from the box below:
as

at

for

from

in

to

1. I am writing ________ reply _______ your advertisement _______ the newspaper

yesterday.
2. __________ present, I am working ________ a receptionist __________ Carlton
Hotel.
3. __________ you will see ________ my CV, I have
4. I am very interested _________ working for an organisation where I would have the
opportunity _______ use my skills.
5. I would be free _______ work _______ your company
6. I am available _________ an interview __________ your convenience.
Activity 6
Place the following expressions in the
correct box on the right:
1. I think I am a person. For
example, I have
2. Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms , (if you know
their name)
3. I look forward to hearing from you
soon.
4. I am writing to you with reference to

5. I would like to work for you because

Im very interested in
6. I am fluent in spoken and written
7. Yours sincerely, (when you know
the persons name)
8. I would also like to learn about
9. I am writing to apply for the post/
job / position of/which I saw advertised
in
10. I also feel that I can /I am
familiar with
11. In addition, I hold a certificate in
12. Dear Sir/Madam, (if you dont
know their name)
13. Yours faithfully, (when you dont
know the persons name)
14. I have had experience of/as
15. I enclose my CV and I would be
glad to attend an interview at any time
convenient to you

Greeting

Reasons for writing

Reasons for interest in the job

Personal qualities with examples

Qualifications and practical skills

Formal ending

Activity 7
1

Look at the advertisement below and put the parts of the letter in the correct places.

London Job Placements

Work in
London in
your summer
holidays

We are looking for hundreds of people for temporary jobs in London: restaurants,
shops, offices, au pairs, summer camps, travel guides, building sites
Good rates of pay and help with accommodation provided.
Send us a short letter, telling us
a when you are available for work
b what work experience you have, enclosing a full CV, and
c what kind of work you prefer.

Send to: Emily Evans, London Job Placements, P.O. Box 414B, London ES7 4QR
a) 6th July 2002
1

b) I am writing in reply to your

advertisement in International Travel
Monthly

c) Yours sincerely,

d) I am available for work this summer in

the months of July and August.

e) Please see my CV for further details.

f) I am a third-year engineering student at
the University of Leioa, near Bilbao.

6, 7

g) I have experience of working in

restaurants and offices. I have also worked
with children.

8, 9, 10

h)

Inaki Rosel

i) Basagoiti, 79, 10,

48990 Berango
Spain

11

j) I look forward to hearing from you.

12

k) I would prefer a job where I could

practice my English, but I would be happy
to consider any offer.

13

l) Inaki Rosel
14
m) Dear Ms Evans,
n) Emily Evans,
London Job Placements,
P.O. Box 414B,
London ES7 4QR

Homework: You have decided to spend some time working this summer. You have seen an
advertisement in the paper for life-guards 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.
A LETTER OF APPLICATION
Your address
The date
Name and address
of the company
Greeting
Dear Mr/ Mrs/ Ms , (if you know their name)
Dear Sir/ Madam, (if you dont know their name)
Paragraph 1
Simply state your reason for writing.
I am writing to you with reference to
I am interested in applying for the job of
I enclose a copy of my CV.
Paragraph 2
Explain why you are interested in a job.
I would like to work for you because I am very interested in
I would also like to learn about
I feel that is extremely important.
Paragraph 3
Give examples to show your personal qualities.
I think I am a person. For example, I have
I also feel that I can / Finally, I am familiar with
Paragraph 4
Write about your qualifications and practical skills.
I think I would be a good primary teacher due to my teaching
experience.
I am a competent as I have completed a course in
I am fluent in spoken and written
In addition, I hold a certificate in
Formal ending
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely, (when you know the persons name)
Yours faithfully, (when you dont)
Your signature
Print your name