VWO 5 Application letter

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

VWO 5 - Writing a formal letter

Today

Class work 

Explanation formal letter writing

On your own

Practise writing a formal letter

p.12

Goal

• I know how to write a formal letter in English.

Formal letter/email outline

Nowadays, you will probably always write an email instead of a letter. 

Address and signature does not have to be included when writing an email. 

Formal letter/email outline

1. Your own address without your name, with the country

 

 Titus Brandsmalaan 1

 5262 BS Vught

 Netherlands

Formal letter/email outline

2. Date of writing

 

 15 December 2024

 December 15, 2024

 December 15th, 2024

 15th December 2024

All options are correct; the first one is the easiest. Remember to write months with capital letters in English!

Formal letter/email outline

3. Subject line

  

 subject: application for English teacher

Do not use capital letters, except when you use names

Do not use punctuation, except for the colon (:) 

Formal letter/email outline

4. Salutation

 Dear Mr Jones / Mrs Jones, (if you know who you are writing to)

 Dear Sir/Madam, (if you do not know who you are writing to)

Dear Sir, (if you know you are writing to a man)

Dear Madam, (if you know you are writing to a woman)

• Use capital letters
  
• Never use a first name.
  
• Do not write ‘Mister/Missus’
  
• Always end with a comma
  

Formal letter/email outline

5. Three paragraphs (body) -> not including intro+closing paragraph

   

More information later on

Formal letter/email outline

6. Final sentence

  I look forward to hearing from you soon.

This is a sentence you can almost always use. 

This is a separate 'paragraph'. --> Blank lines before and after this sentence. 

Formal letter/email outline

7. Closure

   Yours sincerely, (when you used a name in the salutation) 

   Yours faithfully, (when you used Sir/Madam in the salutation)

Formal letter/email outline

8. Your signature and full name

 

 [signature]

Ingrid Janssen

Formal letter/email outline

9. If necessary: enclosures 

Encl.: CV 

Basic rules

Between each new part of your letter you leave a blank line

It is okay to start a letter with “I” in English

Always continue writing until the end of the line. A new sentences does not mean you should start on a new line. You only start on a new line when you start a new paragraph / part of the letter. 

Basic rules

This is a formal letter, so you have to use formal language.

• Don't start a sentence with informal linking words, such as and, but, because, or, so, also. 
• Do not use contractions, such as don't, isn't, I'm, etc.
• Do not use slang, such as wanna, gonna, ain't, u, etc. 
• Be polite 

Test

You will have to write a formal letter in test week 1.

This is a PTA test, which counts 10 x. 

We will practise this, so you can get feedback. Then you will write your assignment. 

Useful sentences and phrases

Paragraph 1: 

• We are writing to inform you that ... to confirm/to request/to enquire about ...
• I am contacting you for the following reason.
  
• I recently read/heard about . . . and would like to know . . .
  
• Having seen your advertisement in ... , I would like to ...
  
• I would be interested in (obtaining/receiving) ...
  
• I received your address from ... and would like to ...
• I am writing to tell you about ...

Useful sentences and phrases

Making a request:

• We would appreciate it if you would ...
  
• I would be grateful if you could...
  
• Could you please send me . . .
  
• Could you possibly tell us/let us have...
  
• In addition, I would like to receive ...
  
• It would be helpful if you could send us ...
  
• I am interested in (obtaining/receiving...)
  
• I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
  
• Please let me know what action you propose to take.
  

Useful sentences and phrases

Complaining:

• I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with ...
  
• I am writing to complain about ...
  
• Please note that the goods we ordered on (date) have not yet arrived.
• We regret to inform you that our order n°--- is now considerably overdue.
• I would like to query the transport charges which seem unusually high.

Useful sentences and phrases

Closing remarks:

• If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know
  
• If I can help in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me
  
• If you require more information ...
  
• For further details ...
  
• Thank you for taking this into consideration
  
• Thank you for your help.
  
• We hope you are happy with this arrangement.
  
• We hope you can settle this matter to our satisfaction.
  

Useful sentences and phrases

Referring to future contact:

• I look forward to seeing you next week
  
• Looking forward to hearing from you
  
• Looking forward to receiving your comments
  
• I look forward to meeting you on the 15th
  
• I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.
  
• An early reply would be appreciated.
  

Tips

• Always write your age in full; i.e. sixteen-year-old girl / seventeen-year-old boy 
• Write numbers up to twenty in full, except when you are talking about dates (i.e. I attend school five days a week / I read your vacancy on 3 February 2021). 
• vwo = pre-university education / grammar school 
• Translate everything into English, so the names of documents such as diplomas and your education should be written in English, not in Dutch. 
• If you must say something in Dutch, make sure to write the Dutch inbetween quotation marks. 

What to do? 

Write a formal letter (p.12 focus)

Hand in on paper (handwritten)

This is a practise letter, you will receive feedback. 

Paragraph content application letter

Salutation

Paragraph 1: Begin by stating the job for which you are applying and where you read the advertisement. Briefly mention how your skills and experience match the company and/or position.

Paragraph 2: Introduce yourself and list your experience and relevant qualifications

Paragraph 3: Mention specific abilities and skills that you have

Paragraph 4:  Say why you are particularly interested in this job

Closing paragraph: Conclude by thanking the employer for considering you for the position and stating that you would like to have an interview

Useful sentences and phrases

Paragraph 1: 

• I would like to apply for the position of...
• I read your advertisement in...
• I am writing in connection with the job advertisement in...
• I am very interested in...

Useful sentences and phrases

Paragraph 2: 

• Let me introduce myself.
• I believe I am suitable for this position, because...
• I would be very suited for this position, since...
• People tell me I am... (list your qualities)
• I am currently a student at...
• I feel I have the necessary qualities for this job, because...

Useful sentences and phrases

Paragraph 3: 

• I would really appreciate it if you would...
• I do have some questions about... 
• Could you give me an indication of...
• If you have any questions, you can contact me on....
• I have enclosed my CV for...

Situatie

Over een jaar hoop jij jouw vwo-5 cijferlijst op zak te hebben. Je bent bezig met onderzoeken wat je daarna wilt gaan doen. Het lijkt je fijn om tijdens de zomervakantie in het buitenland te werken. Tijdens het zoeken naar opties, kwam je een advertentie tegen van Camp America. Een organisatie die baantjes regelt voor zomerkampen in de Verenigde Staten. (zie volgende dia)

Camp counselor wanted

summer 2024

You will...

• ... be overseeing a group of 8 - 12 years old during their daily activities. 
• ... plan activities and supervise the campers. 
• ... guide the campers, and make sure they have a safe environment while at camp.

You have to be...

• 16 - 19 years old
• creative
• good at organising activities 
• responsible
• good with children

You need...

 good English skills

pre-university education grade list (V5)

 

Opdracht

Volg de formele brief outline en schrijf een complete solliciatiebrief naar Camp America. 

• Noem in de brief tenminste 3 kwaliteiten die aansluiten bij de advertentie.
• Geef aan wat voor werkervaring jij hebt.
• Stel ten minste 3 vragen.
• Verwijs naar jouw CV.