7 Essential Tips for Writing a TEFL Cover Letter

04 March 2021 • TEFL

Applying for any TEFL job will require that you try your best to stand out from the rest of the applicants and show your potential employer you've got what it takes to be great on the job. But, having outstanding teaching skills and even a powerful CV isn't going to be enough to get you that live interview. You also have to write a winning cover letter that will make a great first impression on the people reading it.

So, do you have the skills and expertise to write a TEFL cover letter? If you're not sure, we're here to help. Below, you'll find our list with 7 essential tips for writing a brilliant TEFL cover letter that will help you nail that first impression.

Let's break it down.

1. Tailor it For the Specific Job Position

In your search for the perfect TEFL job, you’ll probably send out your CV and cover letter to several different addresses, until you find the perfect match. But, you should never send the exact same, generic cover letter.

Writing a cover letter that can fit all job openings means it's probably too general, vague, and impersonal. Instead, you need to tailor the cover letter for the specific job position.

Make sure to:

• read the job description carefully
• do research about your potential employer
• learn as much as you can about them
• use all of this in your cover letter

You need to show that the specific details about the job made you apply, and you already know how things work or what you're expected to do. This will make your cover letter more specific, memorable, and powerful.

2. Don’t Rewrite Your CV

You need to make sure that your CV and your cover letter aren’t repeating the same information. Your CV can be seen as more technical proof of your skills, qualifications, and experience. But, your cover letter should provide more personal insight.

So, instead of repeating the information from your CV, find something you didn't have a chance to say there. You could mention:

• your first experience as an English teacher
• your relationship with your students
• fun facts from your TEFL journey

Use your cover letter to share more interesting and unique details about your personal and professional life that will draw more attention to you and your application.

3. Show Your Personality

Your cover letter isn’t just supposed to tell a story about who you are as a teacher or why you want the job. It should also show your personality to those reading. But, what does this mean?

It means that you need to let your personality be seen through the lines you’re writing. Show whether you’re communicative, funny, open-minded, creative, or something else. The people reading need to feel like they’re talking to you, and getting to know you with every new line.

4. Explain Your Contribution

Every employer wants to know what can you bring to the table. They need to see your passion for the job and the potential for making their team stronger and better.

So, think about the specific benefits that you would bring to their TEFL team and write about:

• your vision of you on the job
• the specific skills, methods, or approach you’d be using
• what you can do for them
• how valuable a team member can you be

You can back these claims up with references from your previous teaching experiences, certificates, or diplomas you have. You must help your employers envision you as a part of their team, and show that you are a great fit.

5. Summarize & Conclude

Your concluding paragraph should be the most impactful one. It’s the last thing they’ll read and probably the last thing they’ll remember about your application.

Be sure to:

• summarize your potential and desire to work for them
• thank them for their time
• express your hope that they’ll reach out to you after reading it

Give them something to hold on to and show that you truly want this job. Also, show you're professional and know how to handle writing a professional cover letter.

6. Show Exceptional English Writing Skills

Since you're applying for a TEFL job, your English writing skills have to be impeccable. Your cover letter is proof of your language competency, and if it's not spot on, you might lose a chance of winning this job.

So, before you submit your cover letter, you need to make sure you passed all the right writing phases:

• drafting
• outlining
• editing
• proofreading

Proofreading is the final but most essential step in the process. A single typo can ruin your entire attempt to show how professional and skilled you are. If you feel like this is too big of a challenge for you, there are custom essay and paper writing services that can help you nail it.

7. Keep it Short

Finally, there’s one last thing you have to take care of, and that’s the length of your cover letter. Think of it this way- there are dozens of cover letters standing on a pile on a desk. The person reading them doesn’t have the time to read extensive and elaborate cover letters filled with details they don’t care about.

They want to see a cover letter that is:

• one-page long
• concise
• well-organized
• informative

So, choose the information you're sharing carefully, and don't overdo it. Just write what's important and keep your cover letter short.

Final Thoughts

Writing a TEFL cover letter is an essential part of getting the perfect TEFL job you’ve always wanted. Your cover letter is your chance to shine and set yourself aside from the other candidates.

Hopefully, the tips we've shared above will help you write the perfect TEFL cover letter and make your way to the job you want.

Author’s bio. Jessica Fender is a professional writer and educational blogger at GetGoodGrade, an aggregator for useful college resources and websites. Jessica enjoys sharing her ideas to make writing and learning fun.