Using a Cover Letter to Apply for ESL Jobs in China

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Using a Cover Letter to Apply for ESL Jobs in China

Written by Robert Vance on June 26, 2008 – 3:27 pm

As a veteran ESL teacher, I have sent out literally sent out hundreds of email to schools expressing interest in teaching jobs. While this may seem like an enormous amount of emails, I have made the process very easy for myself by creating a package that can be sent with one click of a button. You can read more about creating a similar ESL application package here.

While having a high quality resume is important, it is equally important to create a good cover letter. After all, it is the cover letter that will provide for an English school its first impression of you. A well written cover letter can help you to stand out from the rest of the crowd.

How did I create my cover letter? It is pretty simple. I took key pieces of information from my resume and put them into sentences, adding some extra details. I also tried to succinctly yet clearly express my passion for teaching ESL in China so that the school could sense my enthusiasm. I did not brag about myself but rather I highlighted my relevant experience and talked about my teaching skills.

To help you create your own cover letter, I am publishing in this post a cover letter that I have often used in the past. Naturally, I have modified the letter a little, to protect my identity but the general wording of the letter is similar to what I have used in the past. Feel free to use it as a guide when you are writing your own letter.
To whom it may concern,

My name is Robert Vance and I am excited about the opportunity to teach English at your school
in the winter. As an ESL teacher in China and Russia,sharing the English language with others has given me great satisfaction and joy. In fact, language is one of my passions.I have also mastered the French language and successfully ran a small French training center in London. I have spent many weeks developing activities and methods that have proven to be very effective in my classroom. In addition, I have also completed a 400 hour TESOL certification which I believe will further strengthen my abilities.

My love for teaching language and my fascination with other cultures are the two main motivations that fuel my desire to teach abroad. I have traveled throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia and have met hundreds of wonderful people on my trips. Nothing that I have learned in college could have prepared me for the unique cultural experiences that I have had throughout my travels.

As an English teacher in Central China, I taught more than 2000 students every week. Not only did I teach at our main school complex, but I also traveled around the city teaching in our training centers. I sang, acted, told stories, and engaged the students in interesting conversations.
As an English Teacher in Southern Russia, I was responsible for teaching classes, checking homework,
developing tests, creating material for conversation classes, and working with parents. This invaluable
experience taught me a lot about working with people and how to win their respect.

As a tutor in London’s public schools, I have worked with students from various countries who have trouble with the English language. Whether it is working on letters and sounds,or explaining algebra concepts, I have been able to further develop methods that allow me to be an effective teacher. I have also attended a number of ESL workshops where we are familiarized with the terminology and the newest ESL techniques.

I have a four year bachelor’s degree in French and International Business. I completed my studies in
December. As I mentioned before, I have completed a 400 hour TESOL course.

Most recently, I have been running a French language program at a public school in my area. I teach children from the ages of 4 all the way up to adults.

I hope that you will give me the opportunity to teach in your school. I would love to come and do what I enjoy the most: teach language. Please review my resume (which you can access at the end of this letter) and website and contact me with any questions that you may have. Thank you for your time

Do you have any additional suggestions on how to create an effective cover letter for finding ESL jobs in China? Leave us a comment with your suggestions. We would love to hear from you!

You can also read more about how to effectively apply for teaching jobs in China by clicking here to visit our sister site.

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