Developing writing
A formal letter of application 1 Look at the advert and identify the skills/experience needed if you want to apply.
Go VOL story
Go VOL families
Our impact
Our team
How it works
Go VOL
Go VOL – Volunteer Trip for Young People Are you a student 12–18 years old who wants to make a difference in the world? Brazil – Reforestation This volunteer project involves working with a team on a reforestation programme in Brazil for two weeks. Have you got good school grades? A good level of English? Are you good at working in a multicultural team? Send your letter of application to this address .
Begin the letter appropriately with a formal greeting. Give a clear reason why you are writing. Include hobbies or volunteer positions that connect the project and your abilities. Include extracurricular activities to demonstrate teamwork and show you are responsible. Thank the person for reading your application. Use the correct closing phrase. Sign off with your full name.
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to apply for the Go VOL Volunteer Trip in Brazil, which I saw advertised on your website. I believe I would be the perfect candidate for this project for the following reasons. First of all, my top subjects are English and biology. Secondly, I would like to study Environmental Science at university and I am a volunteer on a community garden project in my town. Furthermore, I love sports, particularly basketball. I have been responsible for organising activities to raise money for our sports club since I was 14. In addition to this, I love learning about different cultures and really enjoy reading books and watching films about other places. Thank you for considering my application. I would be very grateful for the chance to volunteer and I am sure I would make a valuable contribution to the project. I look forward to hearing from you.
Say that you would be an excellent choice. Use linkers to associate ideas. Include a line about your connection with people from other cultures. Include a summary comment near the end of your letter. Use this ending when you do not know the name of the person you are writing to.
Yours faithfully, Henry Cornish
Read the advert and Henry’s reply. Choose the correct alternative. 1 Henry says why he’s writing at the beginning/ in the middle of his letter. 2 He describes personal qualities which are/aren’t important for the job. 3 He describes his hobbies and experience/ experience and what he earns . 4 He uses formal/informal language. 5 He uses short/long forms of verbs. 6 His letter has/doesn’t have a clear structure.
Look at the text and match the words and expressions (1–7) to their informal equivalents (a–g). 1 would like 2 Yours faithfully 3 achieve a thinking about b get c And another thing is,
2
3
4 In addition, 5 very grateful 6 I look forward to hearing from you 7 considering
d really happy e Write soon! f Lots of love g want
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Unit 5
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