Writing a CAE letter.

Writing a CAE letter.

What kind of letter?

Conclusion

There are several different types of letter you will be asked to write, they could include:

Letters of Complaint

Letters of recommendation

Letters of application

Other writing tasks disguised as letters.

Letters of complaint can take many forms. Common examples are:

• A letter to a newspaper editor about a bad review of an event you have organised.

• A letter to a company complaining about an event / course / holiday you attended that wasn't up to scratch.

Examples include:

• Recommending a friend. A character reference for a friend who is applying for a job or a place on a course.

• Recommending a course / activity. You have recently participated in an activity and now you are required to recommend it (or not) to a friend / colleague.

As in the FCE you may be required to write a letter of application detailing your reasons for applying, your relevant qualifications and any other relevant information.

Sometimes you may be required to write an essay / article in the form of a letter. Take a look at this example:

This is part of a letter you have received from an English speaking friend.

"We've been doing a college project on attitudes towards climate change in different countries. How important an issue do people in your country think climate change is? What impact might climate change have on your country and what do you think your government should do to help combat the problems of climate change? Please help with my project by answering these questions"

Conventions of a formal letter.

In the CAE letters will usually be formal.

With a partner discuss the conventions / structural rules of writing a formal letter.

• Salutation

• Signing off

Conventions

Salutation:

If a name is given in the task material, always use it.

Dear Mr. Morgan, / Dear Ms. Morgan,

Only use the title and surname, NOT the first name:

Dear Mr. John Morgan (NO NO NO)

If you are not given a name use:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Don't forget the comma!

Conventions

Signing off:

Signing off depends on your Salutation.

Dear Mr. Morgan, Yours sincerely,

Dear Sir or Madam, Yours faithfully,

Capital letters Commas

Structure

Wrap-up

Formal letters of application can be an easy option because you can learn set phrases and frames that fit most situations.

However, make sure you read the question carefully and cover all the content points. Take a moment to do so now. Turn to page 185, your task is the alternative question at the bottom of the page.

Let's take a look at the structure of a letter of application:

It will be divided into 4 paragraphs:

• Salutation.

• Paragraph 1 - Reason for writing.

• Paragraph 2 - Relevant experience.

• Paragraph 3 - Personal qualities (why you would be good at the job)

• Paragraph 4 - Availability for interview, polite request.

• Sign off.

Now let's look in depth at each part.

Ideas

Notes

Paragraph 1, reasons for writing.

This paragraph should be short, 2 / 3 sentences maximum. There's no excuses for mistakes in this paragraph; learn a frame and use it.

Here are some frames, but the words are scrambled, unscramble them:

writing your advertisement "English Today" am to I in magazine. the response

applying role I of language receptionist. in school the for interested am

Paragraph 3, Personal qualities

Paragraph 1 frames

4th Paragraph

Paragraph 2, Relevant experience

Ideas

I am writing in response to your advertisement in "English Today" magazine.

I am interested in applying for the role of language school receptionist.

So here you have your first paragraph:

I am writing in response to your advertisement in ______________ (name of publication from task). I am interested in applying for the role of ________________ (name of job)

In this case the job will be "Classroom Assistant"

This Paragraph is your chance to tell your potential employer why you should get the job. Here is an example:

Given the experience I have acquired at International College Birmingham, I consider myself well-equipped to respond to the challenge of working in your language center. I feel I have the necessary personal qualities to deal with the demands of the post. For instance, I see myself as a hardworking person who works well under pressure. My experience working with the students at the school has helped me to be more patient and understanding.

Frame:

Given the experience I have acquired at __________________ (workplace), I consider myself well-equipped to respond to the challenge of working in your _____________. I feel I have the necessary personal qualities to deal with the demands of the post. For instance, I see myself as a ____________ (adjective) person who works well under pressure. My experience working with ______________ (people / animal / computers etc.) at ___________________ (workplace) has helped me to be more ____________ (adj) and _______________ (adj).

In the last paragraph you need to politely ask that they consider your application and say when you are available for interview.

Here are some options:

I would therefore be grateful if you could consider my application. I am available for interview between the ________ and the ________ of _________. I look forward to hearing from you.

Taking all this into account, I hope that you will consider my application. I am available for interview between the ________ and the ________ of _________. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for taking the time to read my application, I hope you will consider me for the post. I am available for interview between the ________ and the ________ of _________. I look forward to hearing from you.

The most important thing when applying for a job is your work experience. Invent a fantastic career for yourself! Here is an example paragraph:

As you will see from my attached CV, I have spent the last three years at the International College in Birmingham. During this period, I was promoted from phone operator to the position of receptionist. I was responsible for answering and directing calls, as well as greeting students and resolving technical problems. Moreover, I had the privilege to come into contact with foreign students who helped me improve my spoken and written English.

So here's your frame:

As you will see from my attached CV, I have spent the last _______ (number) years at ____________(workplace). During this period I was promoted from _____________(crap job) to the position of ____________ (great job). I was responsible for ____________ (verb in gerund) and ____________, as well as _____________ and _____________. I had the privilege / opportunity to learn / improve / develop ___________ and ____________.

With these tasks the best method is to learn a frame and follow it.

Ideas