You are applying for a job and need a letter of reference from someone who knew you when you were at college. Write a letter to one of your old teachers asking for a reference. In your letter: say what job you have applied for explain why you want this job suggest what information the teacher should include
Sample Response
Dear Mr Hampson, I am Muller Fortner, one of your research assistants and lucky students, whom you have bestowed your blessing, wisdom and guidance during my academic years at MIU University. Today, I am writing to ask a favour from you- to write a reference letter for me that I would require to submit to a prospective employer. I have been one of your most ardent students and we have finished several projects together including the "Impact of Western attitude to developing countries" which was published in "The Social Affair" magazine. After I have completed my post-graduation in Social Science from MIU University in December 2024, I have been trying to start a job and recently I have been invited to an interview as a researcher at Social Hub, an international company that works for social welfare in many countries. I applied for the job because it would enable me to closely work with other talented researchers and let me contribute to great social causes. I hope you would be happy if I get the job and continue doing the things you always wanted me to do. I hope you would be kind enough to write a reference letter for me mentioning how you know me, my strength, academic performance and how I might be suitable for a research-based job. Thank you in advance. I look forward to getting your reply soon. Respectfully yours, Muller Fortner
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Start new line Dear Mr Hampson, I
- 2. Tone control former students
- 3. Verb pattern on whom you bestowed your guidance
- 4. Concise opening I am writing
- 5. Dash and preposition ask a favour of you:
- 6. Modal choice that I need
- 7. Natural adjective most dedicated students
- 8. Tense choice After I completed
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter clearly asks for a reference, identifies the job, explains why the applicant wants it, and suggests relevant information for the teacher to include. The purpose is fully achieved, though some detail is over-elaborate.
Keep the strong bullet-point coverage but make the request slightly more concise and professionally framed.
Coherence and Cohesion
The sequence is easy to follow, moving from relationship to request, job details, reasons, and requested reference content. However, the whole letter is presented as one block, which weakens readability.
Use clear letter paragraphs: greeting and reminder, request, job and motivation, requested reference details, and closing.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is generally flexible and polite, with some effective formal language. A few choices are over-formal or unnatural, such as 'bestowed your blessing' and 'ardent students'.
Use warm but professional wording rather than ornate phrases when addressing a former teacher.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Most sentences are understandable and there is some complex grammar, but tense, relative-clause, and word-form errors appear in longer sentences.
Check tense consistency and simplify long sentences that combine background, request, and job details.