General Training Task 1 letter

IELTS General Training Letter: Letter to a college

Question type: General Training Task 1: formal letter

The question

You have enrolled on an evening course at a local college, but you now need to change to a different course.

Write a letter to the college administrator. In your letter: - give details of the course you are on - explain why you need to change - say which course you would like to join instead

Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,

Write your own answer first. Then get an estimated band and corrections from our AI marker.

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How to approach it

Use formal language: you are writing to an administrator.
Give specific details of your current course: name, day and time.
Give a clear, believable reason and name the course you want instead.

Sample letter

189 words (minimum 150). Written to show the features of a Band 8-level answer.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request a transfer from the evening course I am currently enrolled on to a different course at the college.

At present, I am attending the Introduction to Accounting course, which takes place on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 to 8.30 pm. The course started three weeks ago and is due to finish in December. My student number is 45821.

Unfortunately, my employer has recently changed my working hours, and I am now required to work until 7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. As a result, I am no longer able to attend the classes on time, and I have already missed part of two sessions.

I would therefore be grateful if I could transfer to the Business Administration course, which I understand is held on Wednesday evenings. The content is closely related to my current course, and it would be useful for my job. I am happy to pay any difference in the fee if necessary.

I would appreciate it if you could let me know whether a place is available and what I need to do to arrange the transfer.

Thank you for your help.

Yours faithfully,

Amira Hassan

Useful language from this answer

I am writing to request…: stating the purpose of a formal letter
I am currently enrolled on: the course I have registered for
as a result, I am no longer able to: explaining a consequence
I would therefore be grateful if…: making a formal request
I would appreciate it if you could let me know: asking for a reply

Common mistakes with this question

Using informal language, such as 'Hi' or 'Thanks a lot', in a formal letter.
Missing one of the three bullet points. Each one must be covered clearly.
Ending with the wrong phrase. After 'Dear Sir or Madam', end with 'Yours faithfully'; after a name, use 'Yours sincerely'.

Now write your own answer

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This model answer was written by TestWise Prep to show the features of a high-scoring answer. It is not official IELTS material. Use it for ideas and language, not to memorise.