You have seen an advertisement for a community college that needs teachers for night classes. Write a letter to the community college. In your letter: - say why you are writing - describe your interest to work as an English teacher - explain why you would be a suitable teacher for that community college
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing this letter to express my interest to work as an English teacher at your community college on the night shift. I am applying for this post in response to an advertisement which was published in a local daily newspaper a couple of days ago. I have been looking for this kind of opportunity for a long time to teach English, but, because of my day-time job, I have not been able to do it so far. Now that you are offering such an opportunity, I want to grab it with my two hands, not only to teach the arts of English communication to the students but also to contribute to a good cause. In support of my eligibility to teach English at your college, I have completed a Bachelor degree in Education, and I have a short certification course on "Grammar, Vocabulary and Accent Training". Besides, I have also done some home tutoring in English teaching for young children before. I am confident that I will be able to do a fine job of teaching English at your college, only if you give me a chance. Yours faithfully, Jamie Bower
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Fix interest pattern Original: interest to work Suggested revision: interest in working Why it matters: Interest is followed by in and a gerund.
- 2. Match teaching schedule Original: on the night shift Suggested revision: in evening classes Why it matters: Classes take place in the evening; night shift is normally used for employment schedules rather than lessons.
- 3. Streamline relative clause Original: an advertisement which was published Suggested revision: an advertisement published Why it matters: The reduced relative clause is concise and grammatically complete.
- 4. Place duration correctly Original: for a long time to teach English Suggested revision: to teach English for a long time Why it matters: The duration phrase should modify the desire to teach rather than the opportunity.
- 5. Remove misplaced comma Original: but, because Suggested revision: but because Why it matters: No comma is needed between the coordinating conjunction and the reason clause.
- 6. Use standard spelling Original: day-time Suggested revision: daytime Why it matters: Daytime is written as one unhyphenated word.
- 7. Use formal opportunity phrase Original: grab it with my two hands Suggested revision: welcome it Why it matters: The original expression is nonstandard and too informal for an application letter.
- 8. Use communication term Original: arts of English communication Suggested revision: English communication skills Why it matters: The revision uses the standard term for the abilities being taught.
- 9. Use generic plural Original: to the students Suggested revision: to students Why it matters: No article is needed when students are discussed generally.
- 10. Specify community contribution Original: contribute to a good cause Suggested revision: support the local community Why it matters: The revision states the intended contribution more concretely and appropriately.
- 11. Introduce qualifications directly Original: In support of my eligibility to teach English at your college Suggested revision: To demonstrate my suitability for the position Why it matters: The revision provides a concise professional transition into the qualifications.
- 12. Use degree form Original: a Bachelor degree in Education Suggested revision: a Bachelor of Education degree Why it matters: Bachelor of Education is the correct qualification form.
Suggested Rewrites
- interest to work interest in working
- on the night shift in evening classes
- an advertisement which was published an advertisement published
- for a long time to teach English to teach English for a long time
- but, because but because
- day-time daytime
Why this response received Band 7.0
The application clearly explains its purpose, motivation, qualifications, and relevant tutoring experience, so the college receives a persuasive account of suitability. The principal limitation is that the formal register is weakened by idiomatic but inappropriate phrases and the whole letter appears as one paragraph. The highest-priority improvement is to organise the content into professional sections and replace conversational wording with precise application language.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
All required points are clearly addressed and supported with relevant qualifications and experience, though the tone is not consistently professional.
Express enthusiasm and the request for consideration in a more measured formal register.
Coherence and Cohesion
The letter progresses logically from purpose to motivation and suitability, but the single-paragraph format makes the development dense.
Separate the opening, motivation, qualifications, and closing request into distinct paragraphs.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary shows range, but several collocations and idioms are inaccurate or unsuitable for a formal application.
Replace phrases such as grab it with my two hands and arts of English communication with direct professional wording.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex sentences are generally well controlled, although errors in complementation, articles, and clause phrasing remain noticeable.
Check patterns after nouns and verbs, including interest in working and a bachelor's degree in education.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You have seen an advertisement for a community college that needs teachers for night classes. Write a letter to the community college. In your letter:
- say why you are writing
- describe your interest to work as an English teacher
- explain why you would be a suitable teacher for that community college
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.