General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · application

Job application for summer camp activity leader position

You would like a job working in the summer camp which runs sports and outdoor activities for children and young people.

Write a letter to the organisers of the summer camp. In your letter:

explain what sort of work you would like to do
describe your personality
say what relevant experience and skills you have

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear ...,

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to formally express my interest in a summer camp counselor position at Pine Valley Outdoors for the upcoming season. Having followed your camp’s reputation for excellence in youth development, I am eager to contribute to your team.

I am particularly interested in roles involving group leadership and sports instruction. Specifically, I would thrive as an activity coordinator for the 10-14 age group, where I can facilitate team-building exercises and outdoor challenges that foster confidence and cooperation among participants.

Regarding my personality, I am an energetic, patient, and highly adaptable individual. I pride myself on maintaining a positive attitude even under pressure, which is essential when managing groups of children. My approach is inclusive and encouraging, ensuring every participant feels supported throughout their camp experience.

I hold a current First Aid certification and have spent three summers working as a swimming instructor and hiking guide at a local youth facility. These roles honed my ability to manage safety protocols while keeping activities engaging. Furthermore, my background in organizing regional athletics ensures I can manage equipment and schedules effectively.

I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my skills align with your camp’s goals.

Yours sincerely,

Julian Thorne

203 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response fully addresses all prompt requirements with a professional, cohesive tone and sophisticated vocabulary. A common Band 6 error is failing to link specific skills to the actual needs of the camp, resulting in a generic list rather than a persuasive application.

Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.

Useful phrases from the letter

foster: To encourage the development of something positive.
adaptable: Able to adjust easily to new conditions.
facilitate: To make a process or action easier.
protocols: The official procedure or system of rules.
honed: Refined or perfected a skill over time.
align: To bring into agreement or close cooperation.

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS General writing

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Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?

Formal. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.

How long should an IELTS General Training letter be?

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.