How to create a cover letter for English teachers: guide and sample

How do you create a cover letter that truly makes you stand out from the crowd? 

Why should your letter catch the employer's attention and draw their focus to you? 

These questions concern everyone applying for the position of an English teacher. In this article, we will explain why a cover letter is your chance to showcase yourself, how to write it effectively, and discuss the common mistakes to avoid.

It is not merely a formality but an opportunity to showcase one's individuality, professionalism, and genuine interest in the vacancy. 

For an English teacher position, the cover letter assumes a particularly significant role, as it allows you to demonstrate your pedagogical skills, creativity and distinctive teaching methodology. 

It is within this document that you can effectively convey your educational philosophy, innovative approaches to language instruction, and your ability to engage and inspire students.

Avoid generic phrases like "Dear Sir/Madam." Try to find the name of the person who will be reading your letter and address them personally. For example, “Dear Ms. Smith.”

Show genuine enthusiasm for the role by mentioning the job title and the company name. 

Convey your passion for teaching and explain why this specific position and company resonate with you. 

For example: "I am excited to apply for the English Teacher position at [Company Name]. The opportunity to join your esteemed institution and contribute to your innovative educational programs greatly excites me".

Continue with an interesting fact or a brief story related to your professional experience. 

This could be an example of your success or an unusual experience that highlights your qualifications. 

For example: “When a student who had difficulty understanding spoken English was able to watch and comprehend a full-length English movie after several months of targeted listening exercises, I realised the success of my methods.”

Here you can describe your key achievements and work experience relevant to the position. 

Emphasise your unique skills and approaches. 

For example: “I have developed interactive teaching methods that help students quickly and effectively assimilate new material. My lessons incorporate modern technologies, for example, educational games, making the learning process engaging and productive.”

Explain why you want to work for this particular company and in this role. 

Highlight what aspects of the company's values attract you and how you can contribute to its development. 

For example: “I am inspired by your school's mission to integrate innovative educational technologies, and I believe that my experience and approaches would be a perfect fit for your team.”

You can end the letter with a call to action. 

Express your willingness to meet to discuss your application and thank them for their consideration. 

For example: “I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience can contribute to the success of your school. Thank you for your attention, and I hope to meet with you soon.”

Conclude the letter with a polite closing and your signature. 

For example: “Yours sincerely, Hanna Jones”.

Hard and soft teaching skills

Hard and soft teaching skills play a crucial role in a teacher's professional activities. 

They complement each other and contribute to creating an effective and productive learning environment.

Hard skills are specific competencies that a teacher acquires through education, training, and practical experience.

In the context of teaching English, they include: 

Soft skills refer to personal qualities and abilities that help a teacher interact effectively with students, colleagues, and parents. 

They include: 

An effective teacher combines both hard and soft skills. 

For example, knowledge of teaching methodologies (a hard skill) becomes more effective when paired with good communication abilities (a soft skill). 

Lesson planning requires organisational skills, while successfully integrating technology requires creativity and adaptability.

Structure and formatting

Maintain a clear structure in your letter, including an introduction, main body, and conclusion. Use a readable font and layout. 

Additionally, ensure that your letter does not exceed one page.

Clarity and conciseness

Write clearly and directly. Avoid overly complex phrases and repetition. Aim to express your key ideas succinctly yet comprehensively.

Focus on achievements

Include specific examples of your accomplishments and successes in previous roles. It helps the employer see not only your experience but also the specific results you have achieved.

Accuracy and correctness

Thoroughly check your letter for spelling, grammatical, and punctuation errors. Ask a friend or colleague to review it before sending.

[Your name]
[Your address]
[City, postcode]
[Email address]
[Phone number]
[Date]

[Employer's name]
[School's name]
[School's address]
[City, postcode]

Dear [Employer's name],

I am writing to express my interest in the English Teacher position at [school's name], as advertised on [where you found the job listing]. With a robust background in teaching English to diverse groups of students and a deep passion for fostering a love for language and literature, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your esteemed institution.

Having taught English for over [X] years at various educational levels, I have honed my skills in creating engaging and effective lesson plans that cater to different learning styles. My approach combines traditional methodologies with innovative techniques to ensure that each student not only understands the material but also appreciates its relevance to their lives.

I successfully implemented a new curriculum that integrated multimedia resources, which significantly improved student engagement and performance. One of my notable achievements was the development of an extracurricular reading programme that increased student participation in literary activities by 40%. 

In addition to my teaching experience, I hold a [Your Degree] in English from [University's Name]. This qualification, coupled with my hands-on experience, have equipped me with the necessary tools to create a positive and productive classroom environment.

I am particularly drawn to [School's Name] because of its commitment to academic excellence and its focus on holistic student development. I am impressed by your initiatives in [mention any specific programmes or values of the school], and I am eager to contribute to these efforts.

Thank you for considering my application. I am available at your earliest convenience for an interview and can be reached at [your phone number] or via email at [your email address].

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Composing a cover letter demands attention and meticulousness to avoid common mistakes that can reduce the chances of securing a job. 

Here are some typical mistakes and ways to prevent them.

Mentioning general phrases without concrete examples and achievements. 

How to avoid this? 

Provide specific examples of your successes, use quantitative data, and highlight your achievements to make your letter compelling.

Failing to mention the specific requirements of the job and how you meet them. 

Here’s how to prevent this:

Clearly state why you are a suitable candidate for the position and link your skills and experience to the job's requirements.

Not showing enough enthusiasm and interest in the position. 

How to avoid this? 

Demonstrate your passion for teaching and your desire to work at this particular school. Explain why this job is important to you.

Sending the letter without addressing it to a specific person or using the wrong name. 

Here’s how to prevent this:

Find out the recipient's name and position and address the letter specifically to that person.

Moreover, our platform, Grade University, offers a variety of up-to-date courses designed to help you become a certified and highly sought-after English language instructor.

Summing up, an English language teacher cover letter is your chance to stand out from the crowd of candidates and demonstrate that you are the teacher who can make a significant contribution to the school's development and the success of its students.

Remember, a well-crafted cover letter can be the key to the door behind which your dream job awaits — a position at a school or company where you can realise your potential, inspire students, and reach new professional heights. 

Let your English teacher's motivation letter reflect your character and professionalism. 

By doing so, it will surely catch the employer's attention and serve as the first step towards new opportunities and achievements.