Sample Letter Analysis You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You have been teaching English in Vietnam. Your contract with the university is to terminate and you want to continue teaching in Ho Chi Minh City. Write to a university to seek a position. You should write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write your address. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam, Dear Sir or Madam,
Perhaps there is a teaching position for me in your department.
My name is John Powel. I am an Australian currently teaching English as an expert at Ho
Chi Minh City University of Technology. It is my intention to work in Vietnam for another year or
two, and so I am writing to you about the possibility of teaching at your university for the coming
academic year (September 2010 - July 2011).
I have been teaching conversational English to doctoral candidates and giving lectures to
undergraduate students. Apart from classroom teaching, I also coached the school debating team
that won the third place in the contest organised by Oxford Language School, 2008. This coming
semester I will be teaching conversational English and international trade in the Management
Department.
I would certainly be interested in hearing from you and wish to have an appointment for an
interview. For your convenience I enclose my resume.
I look forward to hearing from you and wish you a happy new year.
Regards,
John Powel (175 words)
Analysing this sample letter Below are the main parts of this letter:
1. Stating the purpose of writing: applying for a teaching position
2. Self-introducing, and then applying for the job
3. Stating the current job, teaching experience, and accomplishments
4. Expressing hope for an interview
5. Indicating the date by which a response is expected
