Suggested answers (alphabetical by section)

Positive adjectives about yourself

adaptable
ambitious
bilingual/ multilingual
capable
cheerful
creative
determined
dynamic
energetic
enthusiastic
experienced
flexible
fluent
friendly/ sociable
hardworking
keen
knowledgeable
organized
outgoing
positive
proficient
reliable
systematic

Phrases to introduce positive things about yourself

After many years of,
As you can see from the enclosed CV/ resume,
I am a trained
I am currently
I am keen on
I am particularly interested in this job due to
I am/ would be able to
I believe I am a good candidate for this job because
I have (a lot of) experience of
I have (already)
I have (good) knowledge of
I have (recently) passed/ I have qualifications/ a qualification in
I have (substantial) training in
I have a good command of
I have a passion for
I have always been interested in
I have always wanted to
I have completed
I have detailed knowledge of
I have leadership/ first aid/ good communication/ skills
I have shown my ability to by/ through
I have abilities
I think I am ideal for this job as
Im (easily) able to
Im an expert in
Im good at
Im passionate about
My ambition is to
People generally describe me as

Phrases to introduce negative things about yourself (but say they are not so bad)
Although/ While I dont have (much) (actual) experience of,
Despite/ In spite of my lack of
Unfortunately, However,

Phrases to start a letter of application (greeting and first line)

Dear Sir or Madam/ Dear Mr/ Ms + family name
I am writing to apply for the position of which I saw advertised

Phrases to end a letter of application

I am available for interview and employment at any time.
If you need any more details, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely/ Yours faithfully/ Sincerely yours
You want to attend a course in English and American Studies in an English-
speaking country and you see this section in a college prospectus:

SCHOLARSHIPS
Every year, two scholarships are offered to candidates from overseas
who can show how our one-year course would help their career.
Scholarships cover fees, accommodation and food, but not transport
or personal spending money.
Apply in writing, explaining why you think you deserve a scholarship.
Write your letter. Dont include any postal addresses. Write your answer in
140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet.
Sample answer:

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I would like to apply for one of the scholarships I saw advertised in your prospectus.
You start with Paragraph 1- Introduction
In the introduction you :
- say why you are writing and what you are responding to (e.g. an advert, a
prospectus).

- begin Dear Mr Johns/ Dear Ms Jones etc. if you dont know the name of the
person write Dear Sir/ Madam
-say which job youre applying for

- say where you saw the advert ( you can invent a newspaper and/or date if
you need to)

Phrases you can use in the introduction:

* I would like to apply for the position of which I saw advertised
* One of my reasons for applying is.
* I am writing with reference to
REMEMBER: Its a formal piece of writing that means: use a formal, neutral
style: no contractions, no colloquial language, no direct questions, no informal
punctuation such as exclamation marks.
At present I am training to be a secondary school teacher of English and I finish my course at
the end of June. However, I feel I still have a lot to learn about the language and culture of
the English-speaking world and would benefit considerably from a course in an English-speaking
country.
In the 2nd Paragraph you :
- briefly describe you/ your situation ( you can write about: Where you come
from/ Knowledge of the area / Training/qualifications / Previous experience /
Other skills (e.g. computers) / What kind of person you are)
- organise your application so that you mention each of the areas in the
advertisement
Phrases you can use to in the 2nd paragraph:
* At present I am . ( working for./ a student at ..)
* I have a reasonable command of . ( English)
* I have a good . knowledge of ..
* I regret I have has no experience of. ( this kind of work)
* For the last (two) years I have been ) studying/ working..)
* When I was at .. I
* I very much enjoy .. (working with people/travelling)
The reason I am applying for a scholarship is that I cannot afford the cost of studying abroad.
I have no income except for my student grant, so if I am fortunate enough to be given a
scholarship, I would have to work part-time to save some personal spending money. My parents
will borrow some money for my airfare if I am successful. Knowing my family is going to support
me gives me even more confidence and enthusiasm that I would be a suitable candidate for this
position because I would be able to commit myself fully to the course you offer.
In the last paragraph you :
- say when and how you can be contacted
- should be polite but not too much
- use formal ending ( Sincerely/ Sincerely yours / Kind regards / Yours truly etc.
)
- sign your name and then print your name clearly underneath
Phrases you can use to end the letter
* I am available to (start work/ attend an interview)
* Thank you for considering my application.
* I would be grateful/ happy/ free/ able to ..(attend the interview/ provide
reference.)
* I can be contacted on (07935033195) at any time
* I hope you will consider my application.
* I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Phrases you can use in the 3rd paragraph:

* I feel I would be suitable for the job

* I think I would be suitable candidate for because..
* The job would give me the opportunity to ( get work experience during the
summer.0
* I have always been interested in ()
* One of the main reasons I am applying for this job is that.
* I have a lot of experience of ( dealing/ working)

I am available for interview at any time. I can be contacted on 07935033195 after 6pm every
evening.

I would appreciate being given the opportunity to study at your college and would be very
grateful if you would consider my application.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Brown

In the last paragraph you :

- say when and how you can be contacted

- should be polite but not too much
- use formal ending ( Sincerely/ Sincerely yours / Kind regards / Yours truly etc.
)
- sign your name and then print your name clearly underneath

Phrases you can use to end the letter

* I am available to (start work/ attend an interview)
* Thank you for considering my application.
* I would be grateful/ happy/ free/ able to ..(attend the interview/ provide
reference.)
* I can be contacted on (07935033195) at any time
* I hope you will consider my application.
* I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

ACTIVITY CO-ORDINATOR WANTED!

(Weekends only)

Would you like to work with young children aged 6-12? Do you have lots of energy? Are you an
excellent swimmer?

If so, then we want to hear from you. Our childrens club needs someone responsible to look after
a group of 10 children to teach them swimming and other activities.

Write your letter of application in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

SAMPLE ANSWER

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I saw your advertisement in the youth club last week and I am writing to enquire about the
vacancy for an activity co-ordinator at weekends.

I am currently studying a university degree in Physical Education and hope to become a P.E.
teacher when I finish. Swimming and lifesaving are subjects in my degree course, so I am an
experienced swimmer.

I have been coaching a local kids football team for the last 2 years and am a very keen tennis
and golf player. I also play chess to a good level and have taken part in a number of
tournaments and taught young children to play in the local club.
I am free to work at weekends, have plenty of time and energy and feel I would be
suitable for this position. I enclose a recent photo with my C.V. and am available for interview
any evening. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Lawson