MOTIVATION/COVER LETTER FOR UNIVERSITIES

A letter of motivation is another name for a cover letter. Students typically send these letters to
universities when they are applying for special programs, such as a study abroad opportunity.
Letters are important because they allow you to introduce yourself to key decision-makers.

Instructions

1 Letters of motivation are formal, so use formal (business) style and format. Align everything to
the left and begin with the date. Then skip down a line and write the address of the university
contact person. Come down another line and write the formal salutation followed by a colon. Do not
indent the paragraphs; just put a space between each one. Use a formal closure, and leave space to
sign your name. Finally, type your name and personal contact information.

2 Create compelling content. The letter should contain about 3 paragraphs of useful information.
Resist the urge to repeat what you have already shared elsewhere in your application packet. You
may make related comments, but try to keep your letter of motivation original. In the first
paragraph, include information about your personality and prior experience that will make you a
good fit for the program. In the second paragraph, explain what you hope to learn as a result of
participating in the program. List goals that include both positive changes you can bring to the
school and positive changes the school can create in your life. In the third paragraph, write about
steps you are taking to prepare for the program and express interest in hearing a reply soon.

3 Revise and re-write. After taking some time away from your letter, come back and read through it
again. Make sure the information is organized in a clear and easy to understand way. Check for
grammar errors and make sure your tone is appropriate. The letter should sound both enthusiastic
and professional.

http://www.ehow.com/how_8576057_write-motivation-letter-universities.htmlCreate compelling content



COVER LETTER INTRODUCTIONS


Task 8 Read the following introductory parts of the cover letters of one person and match them with
the event/institution they have been prepared for.


This person is applying:


a) to attend summer school

b) to study abroad for a short time at Bachelors Degree level

c) to volunteer

d) for a job


1) I am a second year student of Interactive Media at Masaryk University. I am writing to respond
to the online advertisement for the scholarship at the University of Toronto for the next Autumn
term. In my studies, I have been concentrating on the relationship between new media and
information distribution. Given the opportunity, I would like to devote my programme at the
University of Toronto to the three following fields: participation in the university courses and
seminars, self study at the university libraries, and finally, consultations with specialists.


2) I would like to apply for the Snowflake Effect and Metadata Course held in July in Barcelona for
several reasons: specifically, to gain new knowledge in the field of an individual approach to
working with information and also in the area of metadata processing; to deepen my experience with
an interdisciplinary approach to research and studying, and, if possible, to use the newly gained
information in my studies and future research.


3) I am writing concerning the opportunity to spend a year in the U.K.as a Library Assistant

and I would like to apply for the LAWI Project. I am a Librarian at Masaryk University in Brno, and
also a student of a Postgraduate Course in Interactive Media at Masaryk University in Brno, with a
research topic Impact of Social Media on Academic Libraries: A Case Study of Masaryk University
Brno.

I would like to take part in this project for several reasons, namely, to get an insight into the

British Academic Library System as well as the British way of life, to experience a different

method of running a Library Service, to improve my practical skills in English, and to use

such experience in my future career. I hope that my post as a Library Assistant in a British

Library would be useful and beneficial for me as well asfor the library where I would be able

to use my experience and enthusiasm.


4) I am responding to the advertisement for the Library Assistant position that was recently

posted on the Masaryk University'Jobs Needeď data base.Currently, I am a final year student

of Masaryk University, majoring in Library and Interactive Media Studies with an anticipated

graduation date of May this year.

There are many reasons for believing I would make a very successful library assistant. My

deep interest in literature, information, libraries and media, have influenced my studies even

before I entered university. Having worked for the Liberec City Library (LCLl, I have been exposed
to a number of aspects of the library service and consider myself a 'people' person. My experience
as library assistant at LCL demonstrates my capability of working in huge library institutions and
of being responsible for specific services. Also, my education in Interactive Media has provided me
with with excellent computer skills that would ideally suit all your needs for a library assistant.

Academic English Akademická angličtina, Štěpánek Libor et al., Grada, 2011, p.190


Sample Motivation/Cover Letter

Task 9 Read this authentic letter and correct the grammar, lexical and register errors.

Grammar mistakes are in yellow; lexical and/or register mistakes in grey. Replace the words/phrases
in grey in the text with these:  obtain     acquire   become    prospective    with   over   valued

Name

Address

Prague, Czech Republic

Postal Code

Email

Telephone


Dear Sir/Madame:

I am writing to apply for the Erasmus student exchange programme at you University. I would like to
spend next semester of my study programme at the University of Porto in Portugal. Currently, I am
_____ student of Charles University in Prague, at the Department of Environmental Studies.

I would appreciate the opportunity of participate in the Erasmus programme, because it will be
meaningful for me personally and for my perspective career. Firstly, it would be a efficient and
successfully method of improve my English and academic skills. I have been learning English as my
first foreign language since_____ age of seven, and I believe that this experience at your
university would improve my knowledge, because I would get a chance to communicate in an academic
environment. Moreover, I would welcome the opportunity to enhance my research experience at your
facilities, since your university has a great reputation in this field.

I would like to emphasize that I am eager to benefit from this programme, as I would get to know
Erasmus students from all _____ Europe, exchanging practical experience. I believe that _____
Erasmus programme is _____ excellent opportunity to meet various people, spend quality time with
them and learn about their customs, attitudes, lifestyle, etc. Furthermore, living, studying and
socializing within international scholars would broaden my horizons and enable me to build _____
strong social network with people throughout Europe.

Studying at your university, I would have a chance to compare the Portuguese higher education
system and _____ Czech one. If I will be accepted, I will use this comparison to promote the
Portuguese educational system not only in my homeland, but in the whole of _____ EU.

The reasons for choosing your university:

-   to learn another foreign language, and get familiar with Portuguese culture and customs;

-    to get practice in modern facilities and work in a different environment from that of Charles
University;

-   to enhance my chances of finding better employment, as I would get a truly multi-cultural
experience, highly valuated nowadays among employers.

I would be very grateful if you consider my application and give me a chance to participate in the
Erasmus programme at your university, enhancing my future professional and personal development.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Adapted from: http://motivationalletter.com/motivation-letter-for-erasmus/


COVER LETTER – CORRECTING MISTAKES


Task 10 Look at the letter written by a student applying for an Erasmus Exchange stay. He made a
few mistakes in the letter, the number of which is indicated in the parentheses at the end of each
paragraph. Correct the letter.

Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Jiří Nový and I am a graduated student of the Bachelor programme in International
Relations at Masaryk’s  University in Brno, Czech Republic. (2 errors)

I write this because I would like to have the opportunity to spend the fall semester of this year
at the prestigious Copenhagen Business School by taking part at the Erasmus Programme as a
international exchange student. (3 errors)

I have decided to apply for Copenhagen Business School because the prestige of the university, my
personal interest in the excellent courses offering by you and their relevance to my educational
path, as I am currently studying economy. (3 errors)


In particularly, studying at CBS would give me the opportunity to further develop my knowledges in
the field of economics so I can combine them with my language skills, as many courses offered at
CBS have marked international contents, regarding emerging markets and international business.( 3
errors)

For this reasons, I am strongly motivated to diligently attend classes and study at Copenhagen
Business School, which I am considering the best choice for me as I think I would greatly benefit
from the courses it offers. (2 errors)

Furthermore, I am persuaded that this experience would help me gain important new skills and
competences.  (1 error)

Thus, I consider me a good candidate to qualify for attending the 2013 fall semester at Copenhagen
Business School as I am having the necessary skills, interest and personal motivation to fully
benefit from such important opportunity. (3 errors)

Thank you for consider my application. (1 error)
Yours faithfully,

Jiří Nový


COVER LETTER WRITING


Task 11 Watch a video about writing cover letters at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0suKZ-oU8s.
Take notes while you listen and then write a summary of the video in about 50 words.


BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CV WRITING

1) Be brief

- one or two pages only

- If your work experience is limited, describe your education and training first; highlight work
placements during training

- If language skills are important for the position you are applying for, fill in the Europass
Language Passport available on this site and attach it to the CV.

2) Be clear and concise

 - Use short sentences.

 - Concentrate on the relevant aspects of your training and work experience.

 - Explain any breaks in your studies or career.

3) Adapt your CV to suit the post you are applying for

- Before sending, check that it corresponds to the profile required.

 - Do not include work experience or training which is not relevant to the application.

- Highlight your advantages according to the specific needs of the prospective employer.
Beware: do not artificially inflate your CV; if you do, you are likely to be found out at
interview.

4) Take care over the presentation of your CV

- Set out your skills and competences clearly and logically, so that your advantages stand out.

- Pay attention to details such as spelling and punctuation.
NB:

-Print your CV on white paper.

- Retain the suggested font and layout.

5) Check your CV once you have filled it in

- Remove any spelling mistakes, and ensure it is laid out clearly and logically.

- Have someone read your CV so that you are sure it is clear and comprehensible.


Task 12 Write your own cover letter applying for the Erasmus Exchange programme stay in the country
you would like to go to (this may be written anonymously).


HOMEWORK – Look at the Europass CV at https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/editors/en/#/cv/compose

and be ready to discuss an