Photocopiable resources – instructions

6 A covering email
(1.8 Writing)
Aim: To practise correcting and completing a covering
email, following a checklist.
Interaction: Individual, pairs.
Type of activity: Correcting and completing.
Time: 15 minutes.
Materials: One worksheet per student.
In class: (1) Tell students they are going to work
individually at first and hand out the worksheet. (2) Tell
them to read the writing task and the checklist. Then
students read the sample writing text. (3) Ask the class
to correct any mistakes in the email, such as incorrect
style or other mistakes (lexical, grammar, spelling, etc.).
Say that there are six mistakes. (4) Students work
individually and then check the task in pairs. (5) Ask
students to present their corrections and discuss them
with the class. Hand out the corrected text and ask
students if they have found all the mistakes.

Optionally, if students have difficulty finding all the mistakes,

you can write on the board: one wrong word form, one
wrong verb, one wrong preposition, one incorrect
spelling, one instance of incorrect register, one
grammatical error.

© Pearson Education Limited   Focus 4 Second Edition PHOTOCOPIABLE

Resource 6 A covering email
1.8 Writing

National Museum In my covering email:

Temporary Sales Assistant needed to work in gift shop.
Sales experience necessary
Contact: Mr P. Smith, Manager
p.smith@natmus.co.uk
Write a covering email of at least 200 words
to apply for a job at the gift shop.
• Say why you are writing and which job you are
applying for.
• Give details about yourself, your skills and
experience and explain why you are suitable for
the job.
• Mention availability for interview and any
attachments you are sending.
• I have used full sentences and a variety of positive
language.
• I have said why I am writing and which job I am
applying for.
• I have given details about myself and why I want the job.
• I have given more information about relevant skills and
experiences and not simply repeated what is on my CV.
• I have mentioned my availability for an interview and
any attachments I am sending.
• I have written at least 200 words.
• I have checked my spelling and punctuation.
• My text is neat and clear.

x
Dear Mr Smith,
I am writing to you in response to your online advertisement seeking staff for the National Museum’s gift shop.
I wish apply for the position of temporary sales assistant.
I am a full-time university student, working in the summer to support myself while in higher education.
In this regard, the temporary nature of the position is ideal. In addition, I am confident that I possess all
of the necessary skills and experience to fulfil the job role.
In the past two years, I have gained considering practical experience of sales at a High Street fashion retailer
and at a well-known bookstore chain. In both positions, I assisted a large volume of customers daily in finding
or selecting items, and provided recomendations. I would also deal with customer complaints and bring them
to a successful resolution. Furthermore, I have an excellent command for French and Spanish. My experience
at these stores has taught me the value that passionate customer service can bring to a company’s reputation
and contribute to its continuing success.
I would be happy to give an interview at any time convenient to you and have attached my CV for your
consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information. I am available
by phone or email. Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
All the best,
Alice Williams

Dear Mr Smith,
I am writing to you in response to your online advertisement seeking staff for the National Museum’s gift shop.
I wish apply wish to apply [1] for the position of temporary sales assistant.
I am a full-time university student, working in the summer to support myself while in higher education. In this regard,
the temporary nature of the position is ideal. In addition, I am confident that I possess all of the necessary skills and
experience to fulfil the job role.
In the past two years, I have gained considering considerable [2] practical experience of sales at a High Street fashion
retailer and at a well-known bookstore chain. In both positions, I assisted a large volume of customers daily in finding
or selecting items, and provided recomendations recommendations [3]. I would also deal with customer complaints
and bring them to a successful resolution. Furthermore, I have an excellent command for of [4] French and Spanish.
My experience at these stores has taught me the value that passionate customer service can bring to a company’s
reputation and contribute to its continuing success.
I would be happy to give attend [5] an interview at any time convenient to you and have attached my CV for your
consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information. I am available by phone
or email. Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
All the best Yours sincerely [6],
Alice Williams
[1] Grammatical error. [2] Wrong word form. [3] Incorrect spelling. [4] Wrong preposition. [5] Wrong verb. [6] Incorrect register.

© Pearson Education Limited Focus 4 Second Edition PHOTOCOPIABLE