As an English teacher, you are the gateway to the knowledge and skills that will set your students up for success in all other areas of their lives. Whether you’re teaching primary schoolers, A-level students, or adults learning English as a second language, your English teacher cover letter is the best place to describe your passion and motivation.
Even the best writers need a hand from time to time. That’s why we’ve created this cover letter guide, along with the corresponding English teacher cover letter example, where we’ll cover the following topics:
- How to choose the best cover letter format and what paragraphs the cover letter should include
- How to maximize the effect of each cover letter paragraph (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
- What approach to take when writing your cover letter
- What mistakes to avoid when writing your English teacher cover letter.
With dozens of adaptable cover letter examples and writing guides, Resume.io is an expert resource for job seekers across occupations and experience levels.
For more inspiration, check out our related cover letter examples:
Best format for a English teacher cover letter
As an English teacher, you know that every essay is made stronger by first creating an outline. Your cover letter should also follow a structure to ensure that you’ve included all the necessary information. The format of a English teacher cover letter should contain the following elements:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
If you’re looking for more guidance when it comes to formatting details, check out this comprehensive cover letter guide. The English teacher cover letter example below is a good foundation to develop your own professional application:
Dear Sarah Johnson,
I am writing to express my interest in the English Teacher position at Graves Secondary School l as advertised on the TES Jobs board. Leveraging my PGCE in English from the University of Birmingham and my BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Warwick, I am eager to bring my passion for English language and literature to the students at your esteemed school.
During my teaching practice at Menzies High School in West Bromwich, I successfully developed and delivered a rich curriculum that catered to the diverse learning needs of students. I have gained proficiency in using various pedagogical strategies to foster a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. By incorporating technology and innovative teaching methods, I was able to engage students effectively, leading to a notable improvement in the overall class performance in English.
Beyond the classroom, I actively engaged with the wider school community, overseeing the school literary magazine and facilitating a weekly book club. I believe in fostering a love for literature outside of the standard curriculum. I would be thrilled to bring similar initiatives to Graves Secondary School, encouraging students to delve deeper into the world of literature.
Having followed the achievements of Graves Secondary School closely, I am particularly impressed by your commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment where every student gains the support necessary to reach their full potential. I share this vision for education and am eager to contribute to your ongoing efforts to nurture the young minds in your care.
In addition to my educational background and teaching experience, I am fully versed in the GCSE and A-Level curriculum and am committed to pursuing ongoing professional development to ensure my teaching practices remain current and effective.
I am eager to bring my dedication to fostering a deep appreciation for English language and literature to Graves Secondary School. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and vision align with your team’s goals and values.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Emily Brown
Cover letter header
Your cover letter header is the section at the top of the page that captures your name and contact details so that the headmaster or hiring manager can contact you in case they would like to set up an interview. Make sure to include your email address and phone number along with your LinkedIn, writing or teaching portfolio, or any other professional social media accounts that could help the employer get to know you better. The header on our adaptable English teacher cover letter sample can serve as a model for your own.
Cover letter greeting
The greeting sets a friendly and professional tone for the rest of your cover letter. The field of education is a fairly formal one so it's important to use the most appropriate greeting. “Dear” followed by the headmaster or hiring manager’s correct salutation and last name is generally seen as the best option as it allows you to establish a personal connection with the employer. However, you may also opt for a more general greeting such as “Dear English Department Lead” or “Dear (Company or School Name) Hiring Team”.
Cover letter introduction
The introduction refers to the first 1-3 sentences of your cover letter. As with any piece of good writing, the introduction should hook the reader’s attention and entice them to continue learning more about your skills and experiences. There are many ways to start your cover letter, but some of the most effective include sharing:
- A short anecdote about one of your successes as a teacher
- The reason behind your motivation or passion
- A connection to the school or organisation
- An impressive professional achievement
- A specific skill the employer is looking for
Below you’ll find the introduction of our adaptable English teacher cover letter sample to help inspire your own writing.
Dear Sarah Johnson,
I am writing to express my interest in the English Teacher position at Graves Secondary School l as advertised on the TES Jobs board. Leveraging my PGCE in English from the University of Birmingham and my BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Warwick, I am eager to bring my passion for English language and literature to the students at your esteemed school.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle part or body of the cover letter is the place to expand on your previous experiences and achievements as an English teacher. Avoid too much repetition of the information already on your CV. Instead, focus on adding new details about your personal traits and skills that you weren’t able to fit onto other parts of your application. Short anecdotes are a great way to do this, but you may also add a few bullet points to add greater emphasis. With each example you provide, make sure to think about how your experience fits into the greater picture of the new role you are applying to. Choose only the most relevant information to help the employer imagine how you’d fit into the classroom they are hiring for. See our adaptable cover letter sample below.
During my teaching practice at Menzies High School in West Bromwich, I successfully developed and delivered a rich curriculum that catered to the diverse learning needs of students. I have gained proficiency in using various pedagogical strategies to foster a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. By incorporating technology and innovative teaching methods, I was able to engage students effectively, leading to a notable improvement in the overall class performance in English.
Beyond the classroom, I actively engaged with the wider school community, overseeing the school literary magazine and facilitating a weekly book club. I believe in fostering a love for literature outside of the standard curriculum. I would be thrilled to bring similar initiatives to Graves Secondary School, encouraging students to delve deeper into the world of literature.
Having followed the achievements of Graves Secondary School closely, I am particularly impressed by your commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment where every student gains the support necessary to reach their full potential. I share this vision for education and am eager to contribute to your ongoing efforts to nurture the young minds in your care.
In addition to my educational background and teaching experience, I am fully versed in the GCSE and A-Level curriculum and am committed to pursuing ongoing professional development to ensure my teaching practices remain current and effective.
How to close a English teacher cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
When wrapping up your English teacher cover letter, make sure to include a call to action. This sentence expresses your enthusiasm for the position and politely invites the hiring manager to contact you for an interview. You may also choose to leave your contact information again here, space permitting. Then, sign off respectfully. “Sincerely” or “Best regards” can work well, followed by your full name. See our adaptable English teacher cover letter sample below.
I am eager to bring my dedication to fostering a deep appreciation for English language and literature to Graves Secondary School. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and vision align with your team’s goals and values.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Emily Brown
English teacher cover letter with no experience
Most English teachers will need a degree to teach inside of public and private schools, however, there are several schemes for recent graduates and young people to become English teachers in foreign countries. These schemes often hire native-English speakers even if they have no formal teaching experience.
If you are applying to one of these opportunities, your cover letter is the best place to explain how your previous experience overlaps with the teaching job and why you have the transferable skills needed for the role. Jobs as a babysitter, nanny, au pair, tutor, or class aide can help show that you’d make a great English teacher. You should also focus on your own knowledge and passion for the subject.
Basic mistakes in a English teacher application letter (and how to avoid them)
By avoiding these common errors in your application letter, you’ll put yourself ahead of the competition and increase your chances of landing the English teacher position.
- Spelling and grammar mistakes: Typos reflect poorly on any applicant but are even more detrimental for an English teacher. Make sure to use spell check and proofread before you submit.
- A long cover letter: You may be a master of poetry or prose, but your cover letter should remain concise and focused on the job opportunity. We recommend an upper limit of 400 words.
- Poor formatting: Your cover letter should contain a clear and professional header. Our expertly designed cover letter templates can help.
Key takeaways
- Your cover letter is a key opportunity to expand on your CV and share why you’re a passionate and motivated English teacher.
- Make sure to tailor your cover letter to the opportunity and choose examples most relevant to the types of experiences you will encounter in the new position.
- Your cover letter formatting should be clean and professional. Our adaptable English teacher cover letter sample can help you get started.
