Junior helpers wanted!

Objective & content

This writing sheet teaches pupils to write a short application (I'm writing to apply to be..., I think I would be a good... for three reasons. First... Second... Finally..., I've looked after..., I've played... for six years, I've never... but..., I'd love to..., I'm free..., I could start..., I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely / Yours faithfully). Pupils read an advert and Yusuf's application, take its phrases and write their own. By the end, they can write an application of 120 to 150 words with reasons, experience and a formal ending.

Pedagogical guide

Page 1 has an advert for junior helpers, aged 14 to 16, at a summer camp for children aged 7 to 11, and Yusuf's application, with a photo of children playing at a camp. Yusuf, fourteen, from Brighton, gives three reasons: he loves working with children and has often looked after his younger cousins, he has played football for six years and done a first aid course, and he is patient and always on time. He has never worked at a camp, but he has been a camper there twice; he is free all July and could start on the first day. He writes to a named person, so he ends with Yours sincerely. Pupils answer six questions with three options each, then read the useful phrases, set out in the order of an application, including when to use Yours sincerely and Yours faithfully. Page 2 starts with four sentences where pupils choose for, since, ever or never, or could. Then pupils apply to the camp or to one of four adverts on cards (a reading club at the library, an animal shelter, a science museum, a sports club summer school, each with the job, the days and who they want), and tick the checklist. The answer key gives a model application to "Sir or Madam", ending Yours faithfully.

Suggested procedure

1. (5 min) Ask "Would you like to help at a camp, a club or a shelter? Why?"
2. (10 min) Read the advert and the letter aloud; pupils answer the questions.
3. (5 min) Read the useful phrases with the class; pupils find the three reasons in the letter.
4. (5 min) Page 2: pupils choose the right words.
5. (20 min) Pupils choose an advert, write their application and tick the checklist.
6. (5 min) In pairs, one pupil reads an application and the other decides: "You're hired!" or not, and why.

Adaptations

[S] Pupils follow Yusuf's letter paragraph by paragraph.

[A] Pupils write to a named person and to "Sir or Madam" and compare the endings.

Materials & prerequisites

One copy of pages 1 and 2 per pupil. Page 3 is the answer key, the model application and the teacher notes: keep it. Pupils need the present perfect with for, since, ever and never, would and could, and the formal phrases of an email. To take it further, pupils find a real volunteering advert in their town and write the application.