Reference Letter Writing

Albert is a very poor student. He is mentally slow, unsociable and is always daydreaming. He is spoiling it for the rest of

the class. It would be in the best interests of all if he were removed from school immediately. - Albert Einstein's Teacher

It is important to have effective reference letters (or recommendation letters) written by current and previous employers,

teachers or supervisors. Most employers require two or three reference letters. Reference letters describe the person's

skills and qualifications and what makes him/her an ideal candidate for a potential employer.

A reference letter usually includes a few outstanding attributes and is closed by summarizing why the person was

recommended for employment. A phone number and an email address are usually provided so that potential employers

could contact the referee if they require more information.

A reference letter is a document and it should be treated as a document. Normally it is written on one page only.

Sample Reference Letter

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Re: Ms Adela Goldschmidt

I have known Ms Adela Goldschmidt for a period of three years in my capacity as Head of English

Language Teaching Department at the College of Languages. I have found her to be committed and hard-

working.

Ms Goldschmidt is a competent English teacher with strong work ethics. She possesses an open,

accessible personality, and she is sensitive to the issues involved in cross-cultural communication as well

as relationships at a professional level. I consider Ms Goldschmidt to be a very competent specialist in

such fields as English language teaching methodology, educational technologies, language testing,

assessment and material design. Her research interests in applied linguistics are related to ESL teaching

methodology.

Ms Goldschmidt coordinated EAP module and was in charge of College Placement Test administration. She

developed ESL teaching materials from a broad range of sources - books, academic journals, magazines,

and newspapers. Under her supervision students wrote essays and research papers, gave oral

presentations and debated on a large number of topics. She taught both Foundation Year English

Programme students and Bachelor Degree students. In addition to teaching Ms Goldschmidt actively

participated in extra-curricular activities such as College Drama Club and Public Speaking Society.

I have no doubt that in view of her qualifications and experience Ms Goldschmidt will be a productive

contributor to the work of any institution and as a conscientious, honest and open-minded person will be a

valuable member of a team of colleagues.

If you need additional information about Ms Adela Goldschmidt please contact me at +2391

7393697361539 ext 637, email bestprofessoratcollege.edu.

Professor Magnus Hartmann

Head of English Language Teaching Department

College of Languages