You have a full-time job and are also doing a part-time evening course. You now find that you cannot continue the course. Write a letter to the course tutor. In your letter: - describe the situation - explain why you cannot continue at this time - say what action you would like to take
Sample Response
Dear Mr Carter,
I am writing to kindly inform you that, unfortunately, I am unable to continue the Business Management evening course that I have been attending at Greenwood College.
At present, I am working full-time as a marketing coordinator, and although I was initially able to balance my job with the evening classes, my workload has recently increased significantly. My company has assigned me to a new project that requires frequent overtime, making it extremely difficult for me to attend lectures and complete assignments on time.
Given these circumstances, I regret to say that I must withdraw from the course for now. However, I would love to resume my studies in the future. Could you please advise me on the process for deferring my enrolment or possibly joining the course again next semester?
I sincerely appreciate your understanding and guidance on this matter. I hope to continue learning under your instruction at a later time.
Yours sincerely,
Nathan Campbell
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Less wordy Original: kindly inform you Suggested revision: inform you Why it matters: "Kindly" is not needed and can sound unnatural here.
- 2. Cleaner placement Original: that, unfortunately, I am unable Suggested revision: that I am unfortunately unable Why it matters: This avoids interrupting the clause with too much punctuation.
- 3. Add detail Original: Business Management evening course Suggested revision: on Monday and Wednesday evenings Why it matters: A specific course schedule would make the situation more concrete, if accurate.
- 4. Natural transition Original: At present Suggested revision: Currently Why it matters: This is slightly more concise.
- 5. Tighter clause Original: although I was initially able to balance my job with the evening classes Suggested revision: although I initially managed to balance my job and evening classes Why it matters: This reduces wordiness.
- 6. Concise phrase Original: my workload has recently increased significantly Suggested revision: my workload has increased significantly Why it matters: "Recently" is already implied by the context and can be removed.
- 7. Natural collocation Original: frequent overtime Suggested revision: regular overtime Why it matters: This is a common workplace collocation.
- 8. Tone control Original: making it extremely difficult Suggested revision: making it very difficult Why it matters: "Extremely" may be stronger than necessary in a formal explanation.
- 9. Formal phrase Original: for now Suggested revision: at this time Why it matters: This fits the task wording and formal register.
- 10. Formal preference Original: I would love to resume Suggested revision: I would like to resume Why it matters: "Would like" is more suitable for a tutor letter.
- 11. Academic wording Original: possibly joining the course again Suggested revision: possibly rejoining the course Why it matters: This is more concise and natural.
- 12. Natural phrase Original: under your instruction Suggested revision: under your guidance Why it matters: This is the usual collocation in this context.
Suggested Rewrites
- kindly inform you inform you
- that, unfortunately, I am unable that I am unfortunately unable
- Business Management evening course on Monday and Wednesday evenings
- At present Currently
- although I was initially able to balance my job with the evening classes although I initially managed to balance my job and evening classes
- my workload has recently increased significantly my workload has increased significantly
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter addresses all bullets very clearly: it describes the course and work situation, explains the increased workload, and asks about deferring or rejoining next semester. The tone is respectful and appropriate for a tutor.
Add one specific course detail, such as the current module or class day, to make the request even more concrete.
Coherence and Cohesion
The paragraphing is clear and the progression is logical from purpose to reason, requested action, and closing. Cohesion is controlled, with only minor wordiness in a few phrases.
Keep the strong paragraph structure but trim repeated ideas about continuing later.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is flexible and appropriate, including "withdraw", "defer", "workload", and "frequent overtime". A few phrases are slightly wordy or less natural, such as "kindly inform you" and "under your instruction".
Use simpler formal collocations where possible, such as "inform you" and "under your guidance".
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar is accurate and varied, with well-controlled complex sentences. Minor punctuation and style improvements would make the letter more polished.
Review comma placement around interrupting adverbs and keep formal requests concise.