Lesson Overview
This lesson is designed for College students who are learning English as a second language (ESL). The objective of this lesson is to teach students how to write an effective cover letter for job applications. In this 30-minute lesson, students will learn the key elements of a cover letter, how to structure it, and what to include.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Understand the purpose of a cover letter
- Identify the key elements of a cover letter
- Structure a cover letter effectively
- Write a cover letter that is targeted to a specific job application
Materials Needed
- Computer with internet access
- Projector
- Sample cover letters
- Whiteboard and markers
Procedure
- Introduction (5 minutes)
- Welcome students and provide a brief overview of what will be covered in the lesson.
- Explain the importance of a cover letter and how it can help applicants stand out in the job application process.
- Key Elements of a Cover Letter (10 minutes)
- Define the key elements of a cover letter: heading, introduction, body, closing, and signature.
- Discuss the purpose of each element and what information should be included in each section.
- Show examples of effective cover letters that highlight each element.
- Structure of a Cover Letter (10 minutes)
- Discuss the importance of having a clear and concise structure for a cover letter.
- Introduce the block format and explain how it should be used.
- Show examples of how to structure a cover letter using the block format.
- Targeted Cover Letters (5 minutes)
- Discuss the importance of tailoring a cover letter to a specific job application.
- Provide tips on how to research a company and position in order to customize a cover letter.
- Writing Exercise (5 minutes)
- Provide a job posting with the instructions to write a cover letter.
- Ask students to draft their own cover letter and share it with the class for feedback.
- Conclusion (5 minutes)
- Summarize the key points of the lesson.
- Encourage students to practice writing cover letters and to seek feedback from peers or a career counselor.
Assessment
Assessment will be based on student participation in class discussion, the quality of their written cover letter, and their ability to incorporate feedback.