esl writing a cover letter

How to Write a Cover Letter: Useful Tips, Phrases and Examples

How to write a cover letter? When applying for a job, you will often be asked to send your prospective employer a copy of your resume (or CV) but this is not the only thing that you should forward for your application. It is very important that you also include what is known as a cover letter. This is a correspondence which acts as an introduction to the other documentation which you are including and can go a long way in reflecting your capabilities in communication.

How To Write A Cover Letter

Most letters will start out with a heading, which will display your contact details and sometimes a subject line. The following are examples of what you should include in your heading.

• Postal address
• Email address
• Telephone numbers (include as many as you need, beginning with the most important)
• Date on which the letter was written
• Subject line (this is not vital but some people choose to do this.)

The next portion should be used to greet the person to which you are writing, and there are a variety of ways in which you might begin your letter.

• To whom it may concern
• Dear Sir/Madam
• Dear Mr./Mrs. (name)
• Dear hiring manager

Opening Portion Of The Letter

To begin your letter, you are going to want to include a few points which detail what you are writing about and act as an introduction to your letter. Let’s take a look at some of the opening points which should be included.

Introducing Yourself

To start off, you will want to introduce yourself to the reader. Whilst a cover letter does need to be relatively brief, this section should contain as much detail as possible but in a concise manner. This is your opportunity to sell yourself and so some thought should go into what is said here.

Reason For Writing

In this paragraph , you now have the chance to explain, in as interesting and professional manner as possible why you are writing this letter. You should detail what job you are applying for, where you heard about it and why you have decided to apply.

Education And Previous Experience

Now is your chance to show off your skills and experience. This is a great time to detail what qualifications you have that you believe to be a good fit for the position you are applying for and also talk about your previous experience in the field. If you do not have any experience then you can use this section to explain that you are looking to learn new skills and further your career through training and hands on experience, make yourself sound eager and willing to learn.

Letter Body

Now we are getting into the bulk of your cover letter, there are some further points of information that you should include. Let’s take a closer look at what you should detail in this section.

Why Are You Interested In This Position?

You can use this section of the letter to let the employer know why it is that you would like to take this job. This is a chance to use your imagination and come up with a creative reason as to why this is something you would like to do. Many simple options could be;

• To further your career in the field.
• To learn new skills.
• To meet new people.
• To make a difference.

Why Should They Employ You?

In this part of your cover letter, you are going to tell the reader why you think they should hire you. It is worth using as many positive adjectives as you can in this section without going over the top. Some examples of this might be;

• Enthusiastic
• Hard working

You are essentially using this paragraph to detail why you are better than anyone else who is applying for the same position.

Closing Comments

In this final paragraph of the letter, you have the opportunity to include any last comments or extra information. This can be anything that you feel is relevant to the application as well as some general comments which are often included, such as the following.

• Thank you for your time.
• I look forward to hearing from you .
• I appreciate the opportunity.

At the end of your letter, you should include a signature with a respectful farewell. Most often, the following are commonly used.

• Kind regards
• Respectfully

After this, you should include your name.

Common Phrases To Include In Cover Letters

There are a variety of phrases which can be used when penning a cover letter, and most of the time, you will find that using a specific template can help greatly. Let’s look at some of the most common ways to express what you want to say in a cover letter.

Introduction

In order to introduce yourself , you may include any of the following phrases.

• At present, I am studying at…..
• At the moment, I am working for…..
• For the last 5 years, I have been working in the position of…..
• My current job title is…

In this section, you will need to explain why you are contacting the reader.

• I am writing in response to an advertisement which was placed in…….
• I am enquiring as to whether you currently have any positions in the area of……
• I am writing to apply for the position of…

Your prospective employer is going to be interested to know what qualifications you have, here are some ways to express this information.

• I have experience in…..and have worked at…….for the last…..years.
• My education includes a degree from XY university.
• I have been studying (subject) for 3 years.
• I am a native English speaker and have ample knowledge of Spanish and Chinese.

What Makes You Ideal For This Position?

You are going to want to convince the reader that you are the best option for this position.

• I am a driven and ambitious person who is keen to learn new skills.
• I believe I am the best choice for this position as I have a lot of experience in my previous role.
• I feel that I am the most suitable candidate for this job because of my ambition and drive to make a change.
• I am excited to have the opportunity to be able to work with a reputable company like yours.

Closing Statement

At the end of your letter, you will need to close off by saying thank you.

• Thank you for taking the time to read through my application.
• Please contact me at any time should you wish to arrange a meeting.
• Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
• I appreciate your consideration for this application and look forward to hearing from you.

Tips For Writing A Great Cover Letter

In order to make the most of the cover letter you are writing, it is important to follow some of the useful tips which will ensure that you produce the most effective cover letter possible.

• Keep the letter brief and to the point. The reader is likely going to have many applications and will not have time to read a very long or detailed letter.
• If there is anything that cannot be put onto your resume, your cover letter gives you the opportunity to detail these points.
• Try to make your letter stand out from the rest by adding an interesting subject line or unusual question which will immediately grab the attention of the reader.
• Mention something about the company that shows you have looked into history and what they do. This is a great way to show that you are enthusiastic about this business.
• Don’t be afraid to be upfront, if you want something, you need to ask for it. For example, ask to be interviewed, this shows confidence and the ability to go and get what you want which are traits that employers admire.
• Explain your skills and capabilities in line with the position for which you are applying.

Cover Letter Samples

Now that we have learned exactly what should be included in a cover letter, let’s take a look at an example. In this case, John Doe is writing a cover letter to go alongside his application for the position of hotel manager.

1234 Main Street

[email protected]

1800 123456

Dear Mr. Smith

My name is John Doe and I am a newly trained manager within the hospitality sector. I am very excited to have recently completed various courses in this field and am a driven and enthusiastic individual.

I am writing to you in response to your advert for the hotel manager position which was advertised on Facebook and would ask that you look over my enclosed resume and consider me for this position.

As mentioned previously, I have recently completed a variety of management courses including the following;

• Advanced hospitality management
• Management in the hotel industry

For both of these courses, I passed with merit and also have qualifications in IT and Telecommunications, as well as a Diploma in Spanish. I previously worked within a 4 star establishment, and worked my way up from cleaner, to assistant manager. At which point, my previous employer put me forward for the training which I have just completed.

I am very interested in joining your hotel and the management role is something that excites me very much. In my previous job, I feel that I have gained all the necessary skills that I will need to excel in my career and am looking forward to employing these skills in a fresh new environment.

I believe that it would be in your best interest to hire me as your new hotel manager because I am extremely hard working and dedicated to everything that I do. As well as this, I am excited to share a fresh and innovative approach to management which I believe will only benefit your establishment. I am keen to learn further skills in order to keep up with the latest information and techniques in the field and am looking forward to meeting new people and sharing ideas.

I would like to take the time to thank you for considering my application and for spending your time reading this letter. It would be a pleasure to speak with you as soon as ever possible and I look forward to your correspondence.

How To Write A Cover Letter Infographic

How to write a cover letter in simple steps

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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.

English Cover Letter

In most cases, the cover letter is your first contact with potential employers. Use this opportunity to make a strong and convincing impression, otherwise you may not get the attention you want.

Before writing, ask yourself why you are the right person for the job.

• Which of your qualities might be essential for the job?
• What contributions can you make to the company?

In your cover letter, emphasise why you are the ideal candidate for the position.

Structure and Content

• Introduction Mention where you found out about the job offer and show interest in the position.
• Details Give reasons for your application: Why are you the ideal candidate? What relevant qualifications, experiences do you have? (Important: refer to the requirements given in the job description.)
• Conclusion Demonstrate your interest in the position once more.

Important Tenses

• Present Perfect / Simple Past (for experiences gained)
• Simple Present (for general information)

Even if there are hundreds of experiences that you wish to emphasise on, keep your cover letter short (no longer than 1 page). Employers usually have to read lots of applications and usually cannot afford spending all day reading lengthy cover letters.

When writing a cover letter, keep to following rules:

• Write an interesting cover letter that impresses the employer.
• Emphasise on qualifications and experiences that are relevant for the job. Explain why you are the right person for the job.
• Avoid negative statements (e.g. I have no / very view experiences ...).

Use a nice letterhead for your cover letter. Check your word processor for templates on formal letters.

• Sender's Address in a Cover Letter
• Date in a Cover Letter
• Recipient's Address in a Cover Letter
• Salutation in a Cover Letter
• Subject Line in a Cover Letter
• Body of a Cover Letter
• Greeting in a Cover Letter
• Enclosure in a Cover Letter

Word Lists on Cover Letters

• Introduction
• Conjunctions

ESL Teacher Cover Letter Example

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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

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Spanish Teacher Cover Letter

Kindergarten Teacher Cover Letter

Related Resumes for ESL Teacher

English teacher resume example.

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Spanish teacher resume example, kindergarten teacher resume example, try our ai cover letter generator.

89,423 English ESL worksheets pdf & doc

How to Write a Cover Letter Effectively!

Posted on Last updated: October 24, 2023

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A cover letter is a document that is sent in with your resume when applying for a job in order to further establish your eligibility for it. The cover letter can make the difference between getting the job and having your resume ignored, so it is a good idea to hone your cover letter writing skills. Do you know how to write a cover letter effectively for your own? Following are five tips on writing cover letters you might need.

Table of Contents

Writing a Cover Letter Tips

Learn 5 cover letters tips in English

Edit it thoroughly

This is perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when writing a cover letter. There must be no grammatical, spelling, or formatting mistakes in the letter. Mistakes convey carelessness and sloppiness; no employer is going to be impressed by them. Do not hand-write cover letters; always use a word processing software like Microsoft Word to type them out.

Write a targeted letter

Writing a generic cover letter enumerating your skills and experience is simple enough, but how is that going to help you stand out? A targeted cover letter, i.e., one that focuses on the skills required by the job and the qualities that your potential employer is looking for, is self-evidently more convincing .

Avoid clichés

Clichés are indicative of a lack of originality and effort. This does not mean, however, that you must go out of your way to be overly wordy. Your language must be crisp and formal; what you must avoid is recycling overused phrases .

Keep it short

Remember, your employer probably has a lot of cover letters to read. Cover letters should never exceed a page in length. You must compress into the page your interest in and enthusiasm for the job and, in particular, the employer, and the factors that make you an eligible applicant (qualifications and experience). Keep in mind, however, that keeping it short does not necessitate curtness.

Thank the company for their consideration

The cover letter is possibly your first contact with a potential employer; the trick is, therefore, to create the best impression possible. Including a note of gratitude at the end will convey to the employer how much you care about the job.

Learn more with an extensive list of transition words and phrases in English to improve your writing skills. 

How to Write a Cover Letter | Image

ESL Teacher Cover Letter Sample Cover Letter Sample a.k.a. Application Letter

Review this English as a Second Language Teacher cover letter sample which includes all the right sections and information that should be included in any strong cover letter. This example ESL cover letter will help give you ideas even if you are writing an EFL, TESOL, or ELL application letter.

It is addressed properly, contains up-to-date contact information, and matches the resume. These are all integral to creating a strong letter of introduction. A cover letter should include both your contact details as well as the person you are addressing the cover letter to. In this case, Mona's contact details are in the header. A cover letter then needs to include the date, followed by the addressee's contact details. It's also important to find out the name of the person you are contacting so you can properly address them.

Mona's desired position is also easily identifiable. Interviewers hate nothing more than not understanding which position the candidate wishes to secure. The position has been bolded so the reader knows right away what position they are applying for.

This example ESL English as a Second Language teacher cover letter / application letter showcases Mona's formal education and credentials, years of classroom expertise, relevant skills sets, and her enthusiasm to teach all types and levels of ESL learners.

She starts the cover letter off with a strong introductory paragraph that highlights her credentials and teaching licenses, as well as her years of teaching experience. This is followed by her next paragraph which showcases her ability to work with a wide variety of students, as well as her talent to effectively meet the needs of ESL students through a variety of methods.

Her third paragraph delves deeper into her teaching style and describes some of the teaching methods she utilizes to create engaging lessons and improve students' English skills. These are all great points to make to showcase teaching skills and show a school what she can provide them with. After reading this letter, a reader will definitely want to read on to the resume to find out more.

The sample ESL instructor cover letter communicates real examples to provide evidence that the candidate will assist ESL students, facilitate multiple intelligences, enhance student comprehension, and provide all children with a meaningful learning experience.

View this English as a second language teacher application letter in PDF format.

All resume and application letter examples on our website are fictionalized.

Check out the matching ESL English as a second language teaching resume . We ensured consistency in fonts, format, style, and visual appeal.

Read in-depth teaching job application writing tips with examples to gain some modern ideas to enhance your ESL teacher application letter.

While you are visiting the blog you can read 12 excerpts from sample application letters for teachers .

Mona P. Buttons 7398 91st Street • Tacoma, WA 98275 425) 555-2376 • [email protected]

<Date>

Sarah Jones, Superintendent ABC School District 1000 33rd Street South Tacoma, WA 98888

Dear Ms. Jones:

It is with great enthusiasm that I submit my resume in consideration for a position as an ESL Teacher with the ABC School District. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education (graduated cum laude) and have earned certifications in Elementary Self-Contained (Grades 1-8) and English as a Second Language (Grades 1-8) for the state of Washington. As a highly compassionate and approachable teaching professional, with over 15 years of hands-on teaching experience, I am confident in my ability to become a valuable member of your teaching staff.

The enclosed resume will highlight my career achievements and showcase my dedication to ESL education. Being a versatile educator, I have had the opportunity to instruct a wide variety of students from various backgrounds and all facets of society. As a result, I am a compassionate teacher, who remains sensitive to children's unique needs, differentiates instruction, provides individual and whole group support, integrates multicultural teaching units, and offers positive encouragement and reinforcement to keep students focused and motivated.

One of the most effective ways that I assist ESL students is by developing and presenting comprehensible and stimulating lesson plans that facilitate all learning styles. I research, locate, and incorporate a variety of resources to accommodate students via visual, audio, tactile, and kinesthetic methods. In addition, I integrate literature, Writers' Workshop, phonics activities, and technology to ensure that each child is able to comprehend and retain the concepts and language. My goal is to foster and maintain an open, honest, communicative, and supportive classroom, in which each student feels safe, secure, special, and appropriately challenged.

I would enjoy the opportunity to meet with you personally to discuss how my diverse skills and experience will enable me to make a valuable contribution to your school district. You may contact me at the above phone number or email address at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Mona P. Buttons

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Writing a covering letter

A covering letter highlights your relevant strengths and motivation for the job and organisation you are applying to, and markets you effectively by complementing your CV.

While there isn’t one way to write a covering letter there are some key things to consider to ensure you follow a logical structure and engage the employer in reading your letter. 

Top tips for success

Make sure that your letter is clear, informative and professional-looking, so that the recruiter will want to go on and read your CV.

• Keep to  one page
• If possible, address it to a  named person : just call the organisation and ask, if it's not clear elsewhere
• Set it out like a business letter, with  addresses and date at the top
• Check your  spelling and grammar
• Use the  same font  as your CV so that they look consistent
• Consider addressing gaps in your CV or other areas you think might need explaining, for example, a retaken year or a health problem. Try to be brief and positive and if in doubt book an appointment with a careers consultant
• Tailor your letter  to each application and try to highlight skills and experience that are relevant to that specific job and employer (it’s obvious it’s a generic letter if you just change the organisation name!)
• Give evidence for claims you make
• Try not to start every sentence with ‘I’
• Keep it  concise and focused  to encourage further reading of your letter and CV
• Be  professional  rather than overly humorous or informal 
• Sell yourself : don’t underplay your skills or make negative comments about yourself
• If you are sending your application by  email , attach the CV and covering letter rather than typing it into the email body. The format of an email can change drastically depending on the system used by the employer.

Write in clear, concise English with a professional yet conversational tone. While you will need to support your claims with evidence, try not to drown the reader with details and avoid jargon they may not understand.

The exact content will depend on you and the job or course but it should include the content outlined below. Remember, you can vary the order of information to suit your style of writing, but make sure it reads logically.

Introduction

Introduce yourself (subject, year and where are you are studying) and explain why you are writing. If you are making a speculative enquiry about the possibility of a job, be clear about the type of work or opportunity you are asking for. If you are responding to an advert, say where you saw it.

Why this role, why this employer

The covering letter is where you should explain your interest and enthusiasm for an organisation and role. Say what attracts you to the kind of work involved, based on your knowledge of the duties and likely satisfactions. This will demonstrate your understanding of the opportunity and your motivation.

Show you’ve done your research into the organisation. Mention what you have done to find out more, e.g. online research or speaking with their staff at careers events, and explain how your skills and interests match the organisation’s values and culture. If possible, back this up by referring to relevant activities where you have demonstrated these interests.

When describing what attracts you to the organisation, make it specific and original, rather than repeating facts stated on their website.  Note: If you could say the exact same things about a different organisation, then you have not been specific enough, and the employer will spot this.

Sometimes you won’t know who the employer is, e.g. if you are applying via a recruitment agency. In this case concentrate on the attractions of the role.

Why you are perfect for the job

Using the job description or person specification, describe your most relevant experiences as evidence of the employer’s requirements. This will help convince the employer you are the ideal candidate for this job. If there is no detailed job description, use careers information/job profiles which describe typical features of the work.

You can also use this careers information for a speculative application, as you can describe abilities and experience that you would expect them to be looking for given the nature of the opportunity that you are seeking.

While the CV is a brief summary of facts and your selling points, the covering letter is where you show exactly how and why you fit the opportunity and organisation you are applying to. So when describing your key examples don't repeat the information already in your CV. Instead, add more detail to make a stronger and compelling case.

Reiterate your enthusiasm to join the organisation and end with ‘I look forward to hearing from you’ or a similar statement. If appropriate, say when you are/are not available for interview. Ensure you sign off ‘Yours sincerely’ if writing to a named individual, and ‘Yours faithfully’ if you have not been able to find a named contact. Type your name, but also sign the letter if you are printing it out.

Dealing with 'difficult' issues / disclosing a disability

Covering letters also give you the chance to say more about any ‘difficult’ issues, for example weaker grades, lack of relevant experience, time gaps and health issues/disability. Use the letter to explain how you have coped with any setbacks and be sure to emphasise positive qualities that you have developed as a result, such as determination and persistence. Write positively about the experience, for example what you learnt from it, and what you have done to address the issue since then, if applicable.

If you have health-related issues or a disability, it is your decision whether to disclose this when writing your covering letter and there is  further advice on this topic . You may wish to discuss this with an adviser.

Sample covering letters and resources

We have a number of templates to help you write a covering letter and CV, but DO NOT just copy these. You need to use your judgment and create your own application, targeting it to the needs of the the job and employer. Make it personal so that it stands out from the crowd.

• CV with skills section and letter
• CV and letter
• CV with profile and letter
• CV and letter for mature student
• CV and letter for part-time work
• CV and letter for part-time work (two sides)
• CV and letter applying for science PhD

Active words for CVs and covering letters

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