Module1- Task 1- Activity 2: Cover letters

Activity 2: Cover letters

Downloadable version of this activity

Downloadble version of the homework of this activity

You can access the this activity on Moodle by clicking here.

Step 1: Analysing the move structure of cover letters

Instructional strategies: procedures, mode, in class/out-of-class:

Input materials:

• Semi-authentic cover letter & moves: Module 1-Task 1-Activity 2
  → step 1 of Worksheet

Procedure:

IN CLASS

1. T-led brainstorming and discussion:
   What is the communicative purpose of cover letters?
   What key information needs to be provided in a cover letter?
2. T introduces the concept of the communicative structure of texts and the notion of moves on the basis of a sample cover letter (
3. Ss read a second example of a cover letter (reading for global understanding, identifying key info) and label the moves (ind)
4. T-led discussion of moves and reading questions

Estimated timing: 40 min (in class)

---

Step 2: Identifying and labelling moves in a cover letter

Input materials:

• Worksheet (cover letter + list of moves): Module 1-Task 1-Activity 2
  → step 2 of Worksheet

Procedure:

IN CLASS

1. Ss receive cover letter + list of potential moves, students label moves (ind)
2. Ss compare results in pairs, then whole-class discussion

Estimated timing: 20 min (in class)

---

Step 3: Specifying the lexical / grammatical realisation of moves in a cover letter

Input materials:

1. Cover letter 1 & grid with move: Module 1-Task 1-Activity 2
   → step 3 of Worksheet

Procedure:

IN CLASS

1. Ss identify lexical/grammatical realisations of the different moves in previous cover letter (pairwork)

2. T-led analysis and categorisation of the features for each move

Estimated timing: 30 min (in class)

---

Homework: Practising lexical/grammatical features of cover letters (HW) (+ game)

Input materials:

• Worksheet with instructions: Module 1-Task 1-Activity 2-Homework
• Quizlet activity
  https://quizlet.com/at/447619074/cover-letters-moves-phrases-flash-cards/
• Online gap-text (closed gap-fill)
  https://www.clickschool.co.uk/cloze/?clozeId=4463

Procedure:

OUT-OF-CLASS

1. Ss complete a quizlet activity to learn & practice the moves/phrases of cover letters
2. Ss complete gaps in cover letter with appropriate words and phrases

Estimated timing: 30 min (out-of-class)

---

Step 4: Recommendations of HR experts on features of cover letters
(video & application)

Input materials:

• Worksheet with link and instructions, sample cover letter and evaluation grid:
  Module 1-Task 1-Activity 2 → step 4 of Worksheet
• Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YrVZXPtTx0
  (if you feel the video is too fast for your students, include instructions on how to reduce playback speed in YouTube – see Appendix)

Procedure:

OUT-OF-CLASS

1. Students receive Worksheet video + instructions
   1. Before watching video with recommendations of HR experts for features of cover letters, students try to predict HR expert suggestions.
   2. While watching video, students take notes about concrete suggestions.
2. Students receive Worksheet cover letter evaluation + instructions
   1. Students note down main problems of cover letters according to the guidelines given in the video
   2. Students make concrete suggestions for improvement

IN CLASS

1. T-led discussion of results in class

Estimated timing: 30 min (out-of-class HW) + 15 min (in-class discussion)