TEFL Cover Letter

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Cover letters are key to the first impression.

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The cover letter is a crucial part of your presentation, one that warrants serious time and effort. It’s an opportunity to separate yourself from other applicants, and if thoughtfully done can be the difference in securing an interview.

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The following is an outline of a typical cover letter:

• Paragraph 1: State what job you are applying for and how you heard about it.
• Paragraph 2: State why you will be perfect for the job. Mention your CELTA certification.
• Paragraph 3: Give a short overview of your experiences, especially how they are related to the job you are applying for. Consider covering these points: your experience teaching, your experience working with adults/children (as the job requires), your experience in settling into different cultures.
• Strong closing: The following is a typical closing sentence for a cover letter:

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I have attached a copy of my résumé for your review. My e-mail address is jdoe@gmail.com, my home phone number is (212) 987-6543 and my cell phone number is: (917) 123-4567.  Please, feel free to contact me anytime if you have further questions.

I appreciate your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,
John Doe, CELTA

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Note: The generally accepted etiquette for signing off on a letter is to use “Yours sincerely,” when you know the name of the person you are writing to, but if you don’t know the name (i.e. you opened the letter with “Dear Sir or Madam,”) you use ‘Yours faithfully,” to close.

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Things to consider when writing your cover letter:

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• Make sure you highlight your CELTA certification early in the letter. It will be a major factor for the employer as he/she considers your candidacy.
• Tailor your letter to the school and local area—it’s truly worth your time. Once you’ve done the research, think about what makes you a good fit for this particular community. This is the best way to show enthusiasm.
• Give specific examples of your teaching approach in order to illustrate how you could benefit the school’s students.
• Writing to a stranger about yourself is an awkward thing. To ensure the proper tone, ask both a friend and a colleague to proofread your cover letter.

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