E9 M - Write a simple application email
aiMOOCE9 M - Write a simple application email
QR-Code
E9 M - Write a simple application email
Your mission: You see a fictional job or work-experience advert. Write a short, clear and polite application email. Use four key parts: introduction – motivation – skills – polite ending.
Level: English as a first foreign language, Klasse 9, M-Niveau, Baden-Württemberg. The language is B1-oriented: clear, useful and increasingly independent.
Deutsch-Hilfe: Du bewirbst Dich auf eine fiktive Praktikums- oder Jobanzeige. Deine E-Mail soll kurz, höflich und gut gegliedert sein. Eine Vollübersetzung ist nicht nötig: Nutze Deutsch nur als Hilfe, wenn Du beim englischen Input festhängst.
Medien-Einstieg
Look at the email symbol. Before you read anything else, answer in English:
- First impression: What makes an email look professional?
- Purpose: What does an employer need to know about you?
- Tone: Which words sound polite?
Viewing task: Watch for the basic structure of a formal email. Write down three parts you notice. Do not try to understand every word.
Course route: English first → understand → respond → ask → hint → improve → use again.
I-can-Ziele
After this aiMOOC, you can say:
- Can-do introduction: I can say why I am writing.
- Can-do motivation: I can explain why I want the placement or job.
- Can-do skills: I can describe two useful skills with short examples.
- Can-do polite ending: I can finish an application email politely.
- Can-do register: I can choose a formal but natural tone.
- Can-do revision: I can improve my own draft after feedback.
Vorwissen aktivieren
Which phrases already feel useful?
- I am writing to apply for ...
- I am interested in ...
- I am reliable and friendly.
- I can work well in a team.
- I look forward to hearing from you.
Deutsch-Hilfe: Markiere nur die Wörter, die Du wirklich brauchst. Versuche zuerst, die Bedeutung aus dem Kontext zu erschließen.
Input: The fictional advert
CITY BIKE SHOP – Work Experience Student
We are looking for a friendly student for a one-week work experience placement in July.
Tasks: welcome customers, organise products, help the team and prepare simple online orders.
We are looking for someone who is: reliable, polite, interested in bikes and able to work in a team.
Contact: Ms Taylor, Shop Manager
Important: This advert and all names, profiles and application data in this course are fictional. Do not use private social-media data.
Understand the advert
Answer in short English phrases:
- What is the position?
- When is the placement?
- Name two tasks.
- Which personal qualities are useful?
- Who receives the email?
Ask before you write: Which information from the advert should you connect to your own skills?
Listening and Viewing
First viewing: Listen for the general idea. What makes an application email formal?
Second viewing: Listen again and note useful language for:
- opening the email
- presenting skills
- ending politely
Listening strategy: Do not stop for every unknown word. Listen for repeated words, examples and signal phrases.
Deutsch-Hilfe: Beim ersten Hören zählt die Hauptidee. Beim zweiten Hören suchst Du gezielt nach Formulierungen für Anfang, Fähigkeiten und Schluss.
Reading: A model email
Read this fictional model.
Subject: Application for Work Experience Student
Dear Ms Taylor,
I am writing to apply for the work experience placement at City Bike Shop. I am interested in bikes and I would like to learn more about working with customers.
I am reliable, friendly and organised. At school, I often work in teams, and I can explain things clearly. I also help in a sports club, so I am used to being responsible.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards, Alex Miller
Reading check: Find one sentence for each function: introduction, motivation, skills, polite ending.
Notice the structure
| Part | What it does | Useful language |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Says why you are writing | I am writing to apply for ... |
| Motivation | Says why the role interests you | I am interested in ... / I would like to ... |
| Skills | Shows what you can do | I am reliable ... / I can ... / At school, I ... |
| Polite ending | Closes professionally | Thank you for ... / I look forward to hearing from you. |
Kontextwortschatz
Learn words in useful groups, not as isolated translations.
| Function | Useful English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Interest | interested in, enjoy, would like to | I am interested in working with customers. |
| Skills | reliable, organised, friendly, patient | I am reliable and organised. |
| Teamwork | work in a team, help others, communicate | I can work well in a team. |
| Experience | at school, in my sports club, during a project | During a school project, I organised materials. |
| Polite ending | thank you for, look forward to, kind regards | I look forward to hearing from you. |
Word-building tip: Match a skill to evidence. Do not only write I am organised. Add a short example: During school projects, I organise our materials.
Aussprache und Fluency
Say these chunks aloud in natural groups:
- I am writing / to apply for / the work experience placement.
- I am interested in / working with customers.
- I can work well / in a team.
- I look forward / to hearing from you.
Fluency goal: Speak clearly and in meaningful chunks. Verständlichkeit ist wichtiger als Akzentfreiheit.
Private practice: You may record yourself on your own device if you want. Recordings are voluntary and private. Do not upload them unless your teacher explicitly asks you to use a safe school platform.
Speaking
Work with a partner.
Student A: You are the applicant. Explain why you want the placement and name two skills.
Student B: You are Ms Taylor. Ask two follow-up questions, for example:
- Why are you interested in the shop?
- Can you give me an example of teamwork?
Then switch roles.
Challenge: React spontaneously when your partner asks a question you did not prepare.
Functional grammar
You do not need complicated grammar. Use grammar that helps your purpose.
| Function | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| State purpose | present simple | I am writing to apply for ... |
| Talk about ability | can + infinitive | I can work well in a team. |
| Give a reason | because | I am interested in the placement because I enjoy working with people. |
| Sound polite | would like to | I would like to learn more about customer service. |
| Add evidence | present or past reference | At school, I often organise group work. |
Keep it simple: One clear sentence is better than one long sentence with many errors.
Writing: Build your application email
Use the fictional City Bike Shop advert or create another fictional advert with your teacher.
Target length: about 90–120 words.
Your email needs:
- a clear subject line
- a suitable greeting
- an introduction
- motivation
- two useful skills with at least one example
- a polite ending
- your fictional name
Do not include: private addresses, personal phone numbers, private social-media accounts or real application data.
Writing frame
Subject: Application for ...
Dear ... ,
Introduction: I am writing to apply for ...
Motivation: I am interested in ... because ... / I would like to ...
Skills: I am ... and ... . At school / in my club / during a project, I ... . I can ...
Ending: Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards, [fictional name]
Deutsch-Hilfe: Prüfe die vier Kernteile: Warum schreibst Du? Warum möchtest Du die Stelle? Was kannst Du? Wie beendest Du die Mail höflich?
Hilfestufen
Hint 1 – words: reliable · organised · friendly · interested in · teamwork · customers · learn · help
Hint 2 – sentence starters: I am writing to ... / I am interested in ... / I can ... / At school, I ... / Thank you for ...
Hint 3 – structure: introduction → motivation → skills + evidence → polite ending
Hint 4 – independence: Close the hints and write again from the advert only.
Feedback and Fehleranalyse
Use two stars and one next step:
- Star 1: One part that is clear and effective.
- Star 2: One useful phrase or good example.
- Next step: One change that will improve the email.
Error detective: Mark only the error type first:
- S = sentence structure
- T = tense or verb form
- W = word choice
- P = punctuation
- R = register or politeness
Then try to correct your own sentence before asking for the solution.
AI note: If an AI tool is used in a school-approved setting, check facts, sources and feedback. Keep your own original draft and compare changes. Do not send personal application data to an external AI service.
Mediation
Your German-speaking friend has found this fictional English advert:
Weekend helper wanted: friendly, punctual, able to speak to customers.
Explain the important information in German in two or three sentences. Then help your friend create English key phrases for an application email. Do not translate every sentence word for word.
Transfer: A second fictional advert
RIVERSIDE ANIMAL CENTRE – Saturday Helper
Tasks: prepare food, clean work areas, welcome visitors, help the team.
Wanted: patient, responsible, interested in animals.
Your task: Reuse the email structure, but change your motivation, skills and evidence so they fit this new context.
Viewing transfer: Compare the phrases in the video with your own email. Which phrase could improve your tone without making your email too complicated?
Can-do-Check
Rate yourself: yes – almost – not yet.
| I can ... | yes / almost / not yet |
|---|---|
| understand the main points of a short job advert | |
| write a clear introduction | |
| explain my motivation | |
| describe skills and give evidence | |
| use a polite ending | |
| check tone, structure and common errors | |
| adapt my email to a new advert |
Next step: If you have many almost answers, use the writing frame once more. If you have mostly yes, move to the follow-up course: E9 M - Prepare for a job interview.
Interaktive Aufgaben
Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen
Which sentence is a good introduction for an application email? (I am writing to apply for the work experience placement.) (!Hey, I want this job!) (!What is up with your shop?) (!Give me a place for July.)
Which sentence shows motivation? (I am interested in the placement because I enjoy working with people.) (!My favourite colour is blue.) (!I live near a supermarket.) (!The email is short.)
Which sentence presents a useful skill? (I can work well in a team.) (!I can watch videos all evening.) (!I have a new phone.) (!I like weekends.)
Which sentence gives evidence for a skill? (During school projects, I often organise our materials.) (!I am very very very good.) (!Skills are important.) (!My school has many rooms.)
Which ending is suitable for a short formal application email? (I look forward to hearing from you.) (!Text me soon!) (!Bye bye!) (!See ya!)
Which subject line is clear and relevant? (Application for Work Experience Student) (!Hello) (!Important) (!My email)
What should you do first when you do not understand every word in an advert? (Use the context and look for key information.) (!Translate every word immediately.) (!Stop reading.) (!Guess without checking the advert.)
Which phrase is polite and useful for motivation? (I would like to learn more about customer service.) (!I demand to learn customer service.) (!You must teach me customer service.) (!Customer service is whatever.)
What belongs in the skills section? (Relevant skills and a short example.) (!Private social-media details.) (!A long story about your weekend.) (!Unrelated personal information.)
What is a good final check before sending a practice email? (Check structure, tone, spelling and whether the details are fictional.) (!Add as many difficult words as possible.) (!Remove the greeting.) (!Make the email one long sentence.)
Memory
| Introduction | I am writing to apply for ... |
| Motivation | I am interested in ... |
| Skill | I can work well in a team. |
| Evidence | During school projects, I organise materials. |
| Polite ending | I look forward to hearing from you. |
| Sign-off | Kind regards |
Drag and Drop
| Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu. | Thema |
|---|---|
| Introduction | reason for writing |
| Motivation | reason for wanting the placement |
| Skills | abilities and personal strengths |
| Evidence | short real-life example |
| Polite ending | professional final sentence |
Kreuzworträtsel
| Subject | What tells the reader quickly what the email is about? |
| Greeting | What opens the message politely? |
| Motivation | What explains why you want the placement? |
| Skills | What word describes abilities you can offer? |
| Closing | What part finishes the email politely? |
| Attachment | What can be added to an email as a separate file? |
LearningApps
Lückentext
Offene Aufgaben
Leicht
- Phrase collector: Find six useful application phrases in this aiMOOC and sort them into introduction, motivation, skills and ending.
- Advert highlighter: Mark the tasks and qualities in the City Bike Shop advert. Explain which two are most important for your email.
- Sentence upgrade: Improve four very simple sentences such as “I want the job” so that they sound polite and suitable for an application.
- Skill evidence: Choose three skills and write one short example for each from school, a club or a fictional situation.
Standard
- Mini application: Write a 90–120 word email for the City Bike Shop advert using a fictional name.
- Peer feedback: Exchange texts with a partner and give two stars and one next step. Keep the writer's own text visible.
- Speaking rehearsal: Present your motivation and two skills in 45–60 seconds without reading a full script. A private recording is optional.
- Mediation task: Explain a short English job advert to a German-speaking partner, then help them choose English phrases for an application.
Schwer
- Advert comparison: Compare the City Bike Shop and Riverside Animal Centre adverts. Explain how the same applicant should adapt motivation and skills.
- Register challenge: Rewrite an overly casual application email in a professional but still natural B1-level style. Justify five changes.
- Application workshop: Create a fictional work-experience advert and swap it with another group. Each group writes an application and receives structured feedback.
- Transfer presentation: Present a before-and-after version of your application email and explain which changes improved clarity, evidence and politeness.
|
|
Lernkontrolle
- Structure transfer: You receive a new fictional advert. Explain which four email parts you would keep and which content you would change.
- Evidence decision: Compare “I am organised” with “During school projects, I organise our materials.” Explain why one gives stronger evidence.
- Register analysis: Decide which phrases in a mixed formal/informal email do not fit the situation. Rewrite them and explain your choices.
- Reader perspective: Imagine you are the employer. Identify the three pieces of information that help you decide whether to invite the applicant.
- Error strategy: Correct a short application email with several error types. First label the errors, then improve the text.
- Independent transfer: Write a new 90–120 word application email for an unfamiliar fictional advert without using the full writing frame.
Lernnachweis
For a strong learning record, show that you can:
- understand the key information in a short fictional job or work-experience advert
- write a coherent 90–120 word application email
- include introduction, motivation, skills with evidence and a polite ending
- use B1-oriented language that is clear and mostly accurate
- choose an appropriate formal tone
- revise your own text after feedback
- explain at least two improvements you made
- transfer the structure to a second advert
- protect personal data by using fictional details in practice tasks
No external uploads, embeds or private recordings are needed for the Lernnachweis.
OERs zum Thema
Freie Medien im Kurs: Die eingebundenen Bilder stammen aus Wikimedia Commons. Prüfe bei Weiterverwendung die jeweilige Dateiseite und Lizenz.
Verknüpfte Lernbereiche
Folgekurs
Continue with E9 M - Prepare for a job interview. Reuse your skills and evidence, but practise spontaneous answers, follow-up questions and short presentations.