FCE letter of application: a summer job at an adventure camp
This page gives an original Part 2 formal letter task applying for a summer job, with a top answer (19/20) and a borderline answer (9/20) marked on the four criteria. It belongs to our B2 First Writing guide; more formal and informal examples are in the FCE email and letter guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
How to approach this task
A letter of application must persuade an employer, so every sentence should show why you are suitable. Check what the advert asks for:
- why you would be suitable (personality and skills)
- your experience with children
- the languages you speak
Plan: reason for writing → experience → languages → personal qualities and availability → polite close. Use a formal register: no contractions, no "Hello", no "Kisses". Leave out information the employer does not need, such as your hobbies, unless it is relevant to the job.
Top answer (19/20)
The task
You see this advertisement on an international jobs website.
Summer staff wanted: Adventure Camp We are looking for friendly, energetic young people to help run activities for children aged 8 to 14 at our international summer camp. You should speak English and at least one other language. Write to us explaining why you would be suitable for the job and what experience you have.
Write your letter of application in 140–190 words.
Top answer185 words · estimated 19/20
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to apply for the position of activity assistant at your summer camp, which I saw advertised on your website. I am a twenty-year-old sports science student and I believe I would be well suited to the role.
I have considerable experience of working with children. For the past two years I have coached a junior basketball team at my local club, which has taught me how to keep young players motivated and how to deal calmly with arguments. In addition, last summer I worked as a volunteer at a city day camp, where I helped to organise games and excursions.
As for languages, Spanish is my first language and I have studied English for many years. I also have a basic knowledge of French, which might be useful with some of your international campers.
I would describe myself as energetic, patient and reliable, and I genuinely enjoy spending time outdoors. I would be available from mid-June until the end of August.
I would be happy to provide references. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully, Daniel
Examiner-style comments
- Content5/5
- Everything the advert asks for is covered: suitability, relevant experience with children (coaching, a day camp) and languages, plus useful extras such as availability and references.
- Communicative Achievement5/5
- A consistently formal, confident register that would impress an employer. Experience is always linked to what it taught the writer ('how to keep young players motivated'), which makes the application persuasive.
- Organisation5/5
- Classic, well-signposted letter structure: purpose, experience, languages, qualities, close. 'In addition' and 'As for languages' guide the reader smoothly.
- Language4/5
- Accurate formal language ('well suited to the role', 'considerable experience', 'deal calmly with arguments') and correct use of the present perfect continuous meaning. Range is good, not exceptional.
A persuasive, professional letter that matches every requirement in the advert.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Borderline answer (9/20)
The task
You see this advertisement on an international jobs website.
Summer staff wanted: Adventure Camp We are looking for friendly, energetic young people to help run activities for children aged 8 to 14 at our international summer camp. You should speak English and at least one other language. Write to us explaining why you would be suitable for the job and what experience you have.
Write your letter of application in 140–190 words.
Borderline183 words · estimated 9/20
Hello,
My name is Lucia and I am 19 years old. I saw your advertisement and I want to work in your summer camp because I love children and I love the nature.
I have a lot of experience with children because I have two little brothers and I take care of them every day when my parents are working. Also when I was young I went to a summer camp every year so I know very well how it works and I know a lot of games.
I speak Italian, English and a little bit of German. My English is not perfect but I think is enough for talk with the children.
I am a very sociable person, I like doing sports, specially swimming and volleyball, and I am always happy. My friends say that I am very funny. Also I like cooking and travelling and listening music.
I can work all the summer, except the first week of August because I go on holiday with my family to the beach.
Please answer me soon, I really want this job!!
Kisses, Lucia
Examiner-style comments
- Content3/5
- Experience, languages and personal qualities are mentioned, so the main points are there. However, some content is irrelevant to an employer (cooking, travelling, going to the beach with family), and 'My English is not perfect' works against the application.
- Communicative Achievement1/5
- The register is unsuitable for a job application: 'Hello', 'I really want this job!!' and 'Kisses' would make a poor impression. The employer would not be persuaded to offer an interview.
- Organisation3/5
- Paragraphing is clear and the order follows the advert, but there is no opening statement of purpose and linking is limited to 'Also' and 'because'.
- Language2/5
- Simple language with repeated errors: 'I love the nature', 'I think is enough for talk', 'specially', 'listening music', 'all the summer', 'answer me'. Errors rarely prevent understanding.
The key information is there, but the informal tone and irrelevant details would cost this candidate the job.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
What to copy from the top answer
- State your purpose in the first sentence. "I am writing to apply for the position of…" tells the reader exactly why you are writing.
- Link experience to skills. Don't just say you have brothers; say what your experience taught you.
- Stay positive. Present your languages as strengths, not apologies.
- Use the correct formal close. With "Dear Sir or Madam", end with "Yours faithfully".
Check your own answer
Write your own email or letter for this prompt before you look at the answers again. Then go through the B2 First writing checklist and paste your draft into the writing checker and word counter to make sure you are between 140 and 190 words. More marked answers are in our FCE writing examples.
Questions about this task
How do I start a formal letter in B2 First?
Use 'Dear Sir or Madam,' if you don't know the name, or 'Dear Ms Taylor,' if you do. Then state your reason for writing in the first sentence.
What is the difference between 'Yours faithfully' and 'Yours sincerely'?
In British English, use 'Yours faithfully' after 'Dear Sir or Madam' and 'Yours sincerely' after a name. 'Kind regards' is also acceptable in a formal email.
Should I mention hobbies in a job application?
Only if they are relevant to the job. For a sports camp, coaching or playing a team sport is relevant; cooking probably isn't.
Can I use contractions in a letter of application?
Avoid them. Write 'I am', 'I would' and 'I have' to keep the register formal.