As an English teacher, you’re an expert at dissecting the optimal sentence structure and fixing grammar mistakes. With your talents, you’ve got many of the skills needed to write a perfect English teacher cover letter.
We’re here to fill in the remaining gaps like what the hiring manager actually wants to know about your teaching style, how to overcome pesky application scanners, and the best format for your cover letter. With 125+ writing guides and cover letter examples, Resume.io is a resource for job seekers in every field and at every experience level.
English teacher full text-only cover letter example
Dear Ms. Tonningworth,
I have taught EFL classes from ages 10-16 in international schools across the world for the past 25 years, so upon my return to the U.S. I am looking for a teaching position in a language school that will allow me to continue my passion. Whether a student is studying for a proficiency exam or whether they are simply there for a cultural exchange, I have in my toolkit a range of teaching methodologies to suit the needs of every class.
More than half of my career was spent teaching English to local students in international schools, so I understand the dynamics of a learning environment with a global flavor. The motivations of your students are incredibly high, and they have to be matched by the quality of the teaching. My self-created online reading comprehension course for intermediate and upper-intermediate students was adopted by over 100 schools worldwide and I hope to bring my creative talents to your school as I understand that this is encouraged.
I have taught class sizes from 10-35, but I much prefer the smaller classes of 8-12 that seem to be your standard. I always try to offer every student as much individual attention as possible within the scope of the lesson plan and am a big believer in setting homework according to a student’s developmental needs rather than the dictates of an exercise book. A 97% pass rate for formal qualifications over the past two decades is a testament to the quality of my provision.
I would be delighted to share my professional recommendations and come along for a trial lesson to give you an idea of how I manage my classroom.
Sincerely,
Laura Preston
Sections of an English teacher cover letter
Crafting a cover letter for an English teacher position is your first chance to show, not tell, why you are the best candidate by seamlessly integrating the following parts:
- Cover letter header. This graphic element’s main purpose is to present your contact details and the date.
- Greeting. As a teacher, you know that addressing people by name makes them feel seen. Do the same with the principal or hiring manager in your cover letter.
- Introduction. Your first paragraph is like the first day of class. If you don’t engage them now, it’s going to be a tough road.
- Body. This is the direct instruction portion of your lesson. Illustrate your skills, experience and achievements. Then, put it all together by demonstrating that your style and expertise mesh with that of the school culture and faculty.
- Conclusion. Make it clear you really want the position and reiterate why you’re the right choice. Include a call to action.
- Signature. End with a professional goodbye, including your name.
You know that when you teach writing students about each part of an essay, you also make it clear that the parts must come together to create a whole. The parts of your English teacher cover letter follow the same logic.
Make your case within one page that does not reiterate your resume, but instead complements it by revealing your teaching style, love of language, and why you and the school are a great fit.
If you’re looking for even more writing tips, check out our related education cover letter examples including:
Introduction of an English teacher cover letter
The introduction for your English teacher cover letter is arguably the most important sentence on the page. Many hiring managers will make a determination about whether or not to continue reading after just a few seconds, which means your introduction needs to be convincing from the very start.
Luckily, there are many ways to approach this. For teachers with some previous experience, an anecdote about success in the classroom is often a good way to start. You may also choose to begin with a statistic or personal statement about your goals and motivations.
Dear Ms. Tonningworth,
I have taught ELL classes from ages 10-16 in international schools across the world for the past 25 years, so upon my return to the U.S. I am looking for a teaching position in a language school that will allow me to continue my passion. Whether a student is studying for a proficiency exam or whether they are simply there for a cultural exchange, I have in my toolkit a range of teaching methodologies to suit the needs of every class.
Dear Ms. Tonningworth,
I would really love to teach English at your school. I have three years of experience already and I really enjoy it a lot. It would be great to be able to continue teaching.
Consider the ATS
Applicant tracking systems, also known as ATS, scan job applications for keywords and rank them against the other candidates. Only the top-scoring applications are passed on to the hiring manager’s desk. Some possible keywords to include in your cover letter “email,” “phone” or the company’s name.
Include keywords and phrases from the job description. If it mentions that you’ll be teaching American Lit or senior research paper, make sure that appears in your cover letter.
Dear Ms. Tonningworth,
I have taught EFL classes from ages 10-16 in international schools across the world for the past 25 years, so upon my return to the U.S. I am looking for a teaching position in a language school that will allow me to continue my passion. Whether a student is studying for a proficiency exam or whether they are simply there for a cultural exchange, I have in my toolkit a range of teaching methodologies to suit the needs of every class.
English teacher cover letter body
In the body of your cover letter, follow a clear template:
- Showcase your experience and skills
- Demonstrate how your philosophy and style fits with that of the school
- Finish on a high note with a memorable sentence or two
- End with a call to action that persuades the principal to contact you
First body paragraph: Your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
The body section of your English teacher cover letter is where you’ll have the most room to discuss your achievements, skills, and the reasons why you think you’re the ideal candidate for the position in more detail than in your resume.
Although you want to avoid coming across as arrogant, you’ll want to play up your strengths and accomplishments here so that the principal or hiring manager can see the impact you’d have in the classroom.
Here are some points to include:
- Highlight your education. Educators are big fans of education, of course, so writing about your advanced degree or favorite class is bound to impress.
- Emphasize connections with students. Teaching requires many skills, but your ability to engage students in class and become a trusted adult in their lives may have the greatest impact on the school.
- Describe your teaching philosophy. How do you approach the material you teach? What assignments do you find valuable? What are your goals for your students?
- Data collection and analysis. Show how you use this tool to improve student outcomes and tailor your teaching methods.
- Professional development. Summer seminars, workshops, classes and other learning opportunities, especially those that you led, demonstrate your dedication to lifelong learning.
- Extracurriculars. Work you’ve done on a faculty committee or supervising an afterschool club helps the principal understand how you enhance the school community.
- Technology. Show that you’re up-to-date on educational technology trends that help with grading, data collection, and to keep your students engaged.
How long should my cover letter be?
As a general rule, cover letters should be between 300-500 words. In this short amount of space, you’ll need to be concise. Prioritize examples, anecdotes, and details that are directly related to the type of teaching environment you’ll encounter in your desired position.
Second body paragraph(s): Alignment with the organization
Most schools have a mission statement or philosophy on their website. Use that as a basis for aligning yourself with the goals of the school.
For example, the motto of New Trier High School in Illinois is "to commit minds to inquiry, hearts to compassion, and lives to the service of humanity."
How does your teaching practice facilitate these goals? Infuse your letter with examples of how you promote inquiry, compassion, and service in your classroom.
Let the body of our cover letter sample serve as a guide for your own.
More than half of my career was spent teaching English to local students in international schools, so I understand the dynamics of a learning environment with a global flavor. The motivations of your students are incredibly high, and they have to be matched by the quality of the teaching. My self-created online reading comprehension course for intermediate and upper-intermediate students was adopted by over 100 schools worldwide and I hope to bring my creative talents to your school as I understand that this is encouraged.
I have taught class sizes from 10-35, but I much prefer the smaller classes of 8-12 that seem to be your standard. I always try to offer every student as much individual attention as possible within the scope of the lesson plan and am a big believer in setting homework according to a student’s developmental needs rather than the dictates of an exercise book. A 97% pass rate for formal qualifications over the past two decades is a testament to the quality of my provision.
Call to action & conclusion: Finish off strong
Never end an essay without restating your main point. A strong finish to your English teacher cover letter reminds the principal why you’re such an excellent candidate. End on a positive note and leave the hiring manager wanting to get in touch to know more. Do this by creating a call to action.
This sentence expresses your enthusiasm for the position and invites the recruiter to get in touch without sounding entitled to anything. You may even leave your email and phone number again here, space permitting.
Then, sign off with “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and your name.
Check out the conclusion of our English teacher cover letter sample below.
I would be delighted to share my professional recommendations and come along for a trial lesson to give you an idea of how I manage my classroom.
Sincerely,
Laura Preston
English teacher cover letter with no experience
You have a teaching degree, and you’re looking for your first faculty position. While it may feel like you’re writing an English teacher cover letter with no experience, that’s not the case. Your student teaching placement counts as experience.
But that’s not the only attribute you can focus on:
- Transferable skills. Any job you’ve held that required communication, compassion, or trustworthiness or—even if it was an afterschool job at Lidl—demonstrates your ability to function in a team at a workplace.
- Understanding of data. Crunching numbers is a part of teaching, so if you took a statistics or data analysis class, that speaks volumes.
- Highlight your academics. Again, educators highly value education, so play up your excellence as a student.
- Soft skills. Your cover letter is also the place to focus on any personality traits or personal qualities you have that would make you right for the role. Patience, passion, and perseverance can count for a lot here.
- Communicate your passion for words and literature. You’re an English teacher after all! Talk about your favorite author and how she ignited your love of your subject.
A letter full of enthusiasm for your subject will help position you in good stead with the principal despite your lack of direct experience.
Key takeaways
Your cover letter is a great place to show the employer your unique abilities as an English teacher and the results you can achieve in your position.
Your cover letter introduction should be full of energy and enthusiasm for the position and the body section to offer more anecdotes and examples of your work in the classroom.
Check out our adaptable English teacher cover letter for more ideas on how to create a great page layout.
