En Welcome to English, hoy seguiremos con una letter of application (una carta formal para solicitar un trabajo, una plaza en una universidad, una beca, etc.). Como sabéis, en la EOI, la primera de las tareas de la expresión escrita (y la que es la obligatoria), es un writing formal, y la letter of application es una de las más comunes en los exámenes oficiales de la EOI y de Cambridge.
Como en los demás tipos de cartas formales tenemos que seguir la misma estructura (intrduction, body, closure) y también utilizar algunas de las expresiones vistas en el post de la semana pasada sobre cartas/emails formales https://inglesensagunto.es/2018/12/10/writing-focus-iv-formal-email/
En el caso de hoy, analizaremos un modelo que dividiremos en párrafos y explicaremos cada sección. La tarea para nuestro modelo es la siguiente:
You want to attend a course in English and American Studies in an English-speaking country and you see this section in a college prospectus:
SCHOLARSHIPS
Every year, two scholarships are offered to candidates from overseas who can show how our one-year course would help their career. Scholarships cover fees, accommodation and food, but not transport or personal spending money.
Apply in writing, explaining why you think you deserve a scholarship.
Write your letter. Don’t include any postal addresses. Write your answer in 140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet.
Sample answer:
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I would like to apply for one of the scholarships I saw advertised in your prospectus.
Empezamos el primer párrafo, con la introducción y el saludo correspondiente. Aquí decimos por qué escribimos la carta y a qué estamos contestando (ex. Un anuncio). También tenemos que mencionar qué puesto nos interesa y donde hemos visto el anuncio (invéntate un periódico y una fecha si es necesario).
Frases que se pueden utilizar en la introducción:
- I would like to apply for the position of….
-
One of my reasons for applying is….
-
I am writing with reference to…..
RECUERDA: es una redacción formal, por lo tanto utiliza un estilo formal y un tono neutro . No podrás utilizar contracciones, expresiones coloquiales, preguntas directas o puntuación informal como la exclamación.
At present I am training to be a secondary school teacher of English and I finish my course at the end of June. However, I feel I still have a lot to learn about the language and culture of the English-speaking world and would benefit considerably from a course in an English-speaking country.
En el segundo párrafo describimos brevemente nuestra situación ( puedes escribir sobre: de dónde eres; si conoces la zona; cursos; títulos; experiencia previa; otras destrezas como ordenadores, etc.).También es importante describir en pocas palabras que tipo de persona eres. Organiza tu carta de tal manera que puedas hacer referencia a cada area del anuncio.
Frases que es recomendable utilizar en el segundo párrafo:
– At present I am …. ( working for./ a student at ..)
- I have a reasonable command of …. ( English)
-I have a good …. knowledge of …..
- I regret I have has no experience of…. ( this kind of work)
-
For the last (two) years I have been… ) studying/ working..)
-
When I was at .. I…
-I very much enjoy .. (working with people/travelling)
The reason I am applying for a scholarship is that I cannot afford the cost of studying abroad. I have no income except for my student grant, so if I am fortunate enough to be given a scholarship, I would have to work part-time to save some personal spending money. My parents will borrow some money for my airfare if I am successful. Knowing my family is going to support me gives me even more confidence and enthusiasm that I would be a suitable candidate for this position because I would be able to commit myself fully to the course you offer.
En el tercer párrafo tienes que expresar claramente porque estas solicitando la beca y porque serás el candidato apropiado. Asegúrate de que cubras todos los puntos mencionados en la tarea.
Frases recomendadas para el párrafo 3:
– I feel I would be suitable for the job…
- I think I would be suitable candidate for… because..
-The job would give me the opportunity to… ( get work experience during the summer.0
- I have always been interested in (…)
-
One of the main reasons I am applying for this job is that….
-
I have a lot of experience of ( dealing/ working)
I am available for interview at any time. I can be contacted on 07935033195 after 6pm every evening.
I would appreciate being given the opportunity to study at your college and would be very grateful if you would consider my application.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Brown
En el último párrafo tendrás que decir cuando y como puedes ser contactado utilizando un tono educado. Utiliza un saludo final formal (Sincerely/ Sincerely yours/ Kind regards/ Yours truly) y también escribe u nombre debajo.
Frases que puedes usar para finalizar la carta:
– I am available to (start work/ attend an interview) …
- Thank you for considering my application.
-
I would be grateful/ happy/ free/ able to ..(attend the interview/ provide reference.)
-
I can be contacted on (07935033195) at any time
-
I hope you will consider my application.
-
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Esperemos que os pongáis manos a la obra y escribáis vuestras letters of application sobre la tarea que tenéis debajo.
Good luck and do not stop improving!
———————-
Over to you:
You see this advertisement in a local English language newspaper.
We are looking for students of English to spend two mornings a week helping in the local tourist office.
Good pay and conditions for the right applicants.
Write to us, giving information about your level of English, and explaining why you would be a suitable for the job.
You must answer this question. Write your letter in 140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet.