Exercise: Example of task sheets for apprentices

│ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │
Uwe Grunwald | Valckenburgschule, Ulm, Germany| June 2010
Corresponding
subjects
Mobile task sheets
PT2
Exercise: Example of task sheets for apprentices
Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1. Fact sheet: Basic information ............................................................................................................ 2 2. Fact sheet: Important phrases used in an application ...................................................................... 2 3. Fact sheet: How to elaborate a CV ................................................................................................... 5 4. Multiple choice quiz: Letter of application ......................................................................................... 5 5. Fill-in-the-blank exercise: Preparing a job interview ......................................................................... 6 Purpose
This paper illustrates the work of one of the project's teachers with his students. This learning unit is
composed of several elements from one overarching subject. The learning unit is meant to support
students in writing an application for an apprentice placement in a foreign country.
This paper aims to inspire VET teachers in creating teaching activities – either within the same subject
or related to other professional issues of the students' specific vocational education.
Furthermore, the paper offers inspiration to creation of learning tasks solved in unconventional
venues.
Introduction
The exercise contains several elements that are relevant, when students themselves have to search
and apply for an apprentice placement in a dual vocational system. It can also be used in learning how
to write an ordinary job application.
As preparation, the teacher elaborated learning materials for the students and sent these materials by
e-mail.
This exercise was carried out by German students during the project. The students were asked to find
(unconventional) places to work on the material, and in this way, a coffee bar and bus stops became
places of study.
The smartphones' main functionalities used in this exercise were Quickoffice, Internet and email.
The exercise can also be combined with language instruction.
PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 1
│ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │
1. Fact sheet: Basic information
How to write a letter of application: The most important elements of an application letter are mentioned
here. The student receives general information and instructions to consider before starting. All this should
be delivered in readable quality on his/her smartphone.
Letter of application
- your address (with telephone no., e-mail)
- date (December 2, 2008 or 2nd December 2008)
- name und address of recipient of the application
- title of the person the letter is addressed to
(find out his/her name) Mr, Mrs, Miss
- subject – bold , RE: („with reference to“)
- or only opening paragraph: In reference to our
recent telephone conversation, I am sending you
my application for the position …
- Now your freely written application text follows,
pointing out your personal skills
- Polite parting: „ Yours sincerely“ + signature
and printed name
- Enc: „Enclosure“ e.g. CV
2. Arouse interest: You want the company to
become interested in you, so make your letter of
application something special. Think about ways
you can make your application more memorable.
Basic Information1
A letter of application is probably the most
important business letter you will have to write in
your professional career, as the product on offer
is YOU. As a consequence, you will try to present
yourself as best as possible and convince the
company to invite you to a job interview.
The first step in marketing yourself is your letter
of application.
4. Convince the reader: To make your
qualifications and experience more convincing,
attach official certificates and testimonials, and
refer to your CV/résumé and other documents.
1. Opening: When writing a solicited application
you should always refer to the job advertisement
and the job you want to apply for, whereas you
only have to state the source of information about
the company and a short description of the
possible job in an unsolicited application.
3. Create desire: Highlight your qualifications,
as well as experience and interests that are
relevant for the vacancy, and convince your
future employer that you are the most suitable
person for the job. Be careful not to exaggerate,
but do not leave anything out that could prove to
be an advantage over your competitors.
Moreover, show your motivation and add some
ideas of what you want to try to achieve in your
new job.
5. Move the reader to action: You should end
your letter of application by asking to be
considered for the job as well as for an interview.
Do not forget to add when an interview would be
possible and convenient for you. Apart from these
steps you should be careful not to write too
much. Thus, you should pay attention to the
ABC rule
This rule says: Be accurate, brief and clear in
your letter. Do not say more than necessary and
always bear in mind that your letter should not be
longer than 20 lines.
2. Fact sheet: Important phrases used in an application
2
This fact sheet consists of examples of phrases in different parts of an application letter . There is one
phrase in English. The translation into the students' native language is added. The student receives
advice on opening phrases, phrases for the middle part, and closing phrases. He/she uses this
information in solving the quiz task sheet.
In spite of the huge amount of information in this fact sheet, experience shows that it is possible to put
the information into a readable format for a smartphone.
PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 2
│ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │
a) Referring to the source of information
In yesterday’s/today’s issue of … (name of
paper/magazine) you advertised the position of…
In the … issue of … (name of paper/ magazine)
you advertised the
I was interested to read your advertisement in
last week’s edition of the …
It is with interest that I read your advertisement
in last week’s edition of
In der gestrigen Ausgabe von...
haben Sie eine Stelle als… ausgeschrieben.
In der Ausgabe von... vom…
haben Sie eine Stelle als… ausgeschrieben.
Mit Interesse las ich Ihre Stellenanzeige in der
Ausgabe der… von letzter Woche
Mit Interesse las ich Ihre Stellenanzeige in der
Ausgabe der… von letzter Woche
b) 2. Starting an unsolicited letter of application
I am writing to inquire if there is an opening in
your company for a ...
I understand you are looking for someone
with … (a good commercial grounding).
I am writing to inquire whether you have a
vacancy in your firm
Ich möchte mich erkundigen, ob es in Ihrem
Unternehmen eine freie Stelle für ..… gibt.
Ich habe gehört, dass Sie jemanden
mit … (guten kaufmännischen Kenntnissen)
Ich schreibe Ihnen, um mich zu erkundigen,
ob Sie in Ihrer Firma eine freie Stelle haben.
c) 3. Applying for a vacancy
I wish to apply for the advertised position.
I would like you to consider my application for
the advertised position.
Following our telephone conversation, I am
sending you my personal documentation.
As discussed on the phone today, I am sending
you my personal documentation.
Having completed my training as a/an
I am seeking a change because I want to
extend my knowledge of marketing.
Ich möchte mich um die ausgeschriebene Stelle
bewerben
Ich möchte mich um die ausgeschriebene Stelle
bewerben
Wie in unserem heutigen Telefonat
verabredet/besprochen, übersende ich Ihnen
hiermit meine Bewerbungsunterlagen.
Wie in unserem heutigen Telefonat besprochen,
übersende ich Ihnen hiermit meine
Bewerbungsunterlagen
Nach Abschluss meiner Ausbildung als … suche ich
eine Anstellung als/in …
Ich möchte mich verändern, weil ich meine
Marketingkenntnisse erweitern will.
d) 4. Giving information
As you will see from the enclosed curriculum
vitae/résumé …
I am currently attending … (school) where I am
enrolled in a course in business administration.
I am computer literate.
I speak fluent English and have a basic
knowledge of French
After my (vocational) training I worked for a
local export firm for four years.
PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 3
Wie Sie dem beiliegenden Lebenslauf entnehmen
können, …
Zurzeit besuche ich … (Schule), wo ich einen Kurs
in Betriebswirtschaft absolviere.
Ich habe umfassende Computerkenntnisse.
Ich spreche fließend Englisch und habe
Grundkenntnisse in Französisch.
Nach meiner Berufsausbildung war ich vier Jahre
bei einer ortsansässigen Exportfirma tätig.
│ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │
During my studies, I did two internships
abroad.
Während des Studiums habe ich zwei
Praktika im Ausland absolviert.
e) 5. Motivation for the job
I hope to be able to use/apply my
skills/experience in … in the advertised position
I am confident that I will be able to use/apply
my skills/experience in … in the advertised
position.
During my training, I have taken a great
interest in working (together) with …
I am applying for the position offered because
my present job does not offer me any
promotion prospects.
I am seeking a change, as I think your
firm offers me better opportunities.
This job would give me the opportunity
to extend my knowledge of … /to use
my IT skills.
I wish to work abroad and make use of
my knowledge of languages.
I am applying for the position offered
because I would like to move on to a
job with more responsibility.
My personal skills will enable me to work as an
effective member of your team.
I am prepared to work overtime during
the busy times of the year.
f)
In der ausgeschriebenen Position hoffe ich, meine
Kompetenzen/Erfahrungen in … einbringen zu
können.
In der ausgeschriebenen Position hoffe ich, meine
Kompetenzen/Erfahrungen in … einbringen zu
können.
Die Arbeit mit … hat mich schon während meiner
Ausbildung sehr interessiert.
Ich bewerbe mich für die ausgeschriebene Stelle,
weil mir mein derzeitiger Job keine
Aufstiegsmöglichkeiten bietet.
Ich suche mich zu verändern, weil ich glaube,
dass mir Ihre Firma bessere Möglichkeiten bietet.
Diese Stelle würde mir die Möglichkeit bieten,
meine Kenntnisse über … auszuweiten/ meine ITFähigkeiten einzusetzen.
Ich möchte im Ausland arbeiten und
meine Fremdsprachenkenntnisse anwenden.
Ich bewerbe mich für die ausgeschriebene
Stelle, weil ich gerne einen Job mit mehr
Verantwortung hätte.
Meine persönlichen Fähigkeiten erlauben es mir,
als effizientes Mitglied in Ihrem Team zu arbeiten.
Ich bin bereit, in den stressigen Phasen des Jahres
Überstunden zu machen.
6. Closing sentences
I enclose my CV/résumé with this letter.
Should you require further information about
my qualifications I would be pleased to quote
references.
The names of two referees are given below.
I can give you the following names as
references.
My present employer, …, is informed of my
application and would be willing to act as a
referee.
For information about my command of
English I would refer you to Mag. …(Name).
I am available for an interview at any time.
PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 4
Ich füge meinen Lebenslauf diesem Schreiben bei.
Sollten Sie weitere Informationen über meine
Qualifikationen benötigen, bin ich gern bereit,
Referenzen anzugeben.
Beiliegend finden Sie die Namen von zwei
Referenzen.
Als Empfehlung kann ich Ihnen die folgenden
Namen geben.
Mein derzeitiger Arbeitgeber, … (Name), weiß von
meiner Bewerbung und wäre bereit, als
Auskunftgeber zu fungieren.
Für Auskünfte über meine Kenntnisse der
englischen Sprache möchte ich Sie an Mag. …
(Name) verweisen.
Für ein Vorstellungsgespräch stehe ich jederzeit
│ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │
I am available for an interview at your
convenience and can be contacted at
my home telephone number.
I am available for an interview whenever it suits
you.
I would be delighted to be invited to an
interview.
I look forward to hearing from you.
zur Verfügung.
Ich stehe Ihnen jederzeit für ein
Vorstellungsgespräch zur Verfügung und bin unter
meiner privaten Telefonnummer erreichbar.
Ich stehe Ihnen jederzeit für ein
Vorstellungsgespräch zur Verfügung.
Über eine Einladung zu einem persönlichen
Gespräch würde ich mich sehr freuen.
Ich freue mich darauf, bald von Ihnen zu hören.
3. Fact sheet: How to elaborate a CV
The student receives a list of the most important elements of a CV in a readable quality on his
smartphone.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Structure: Selection must be relevant for the position you apply for
1. personal details
2. job objective/career objective/job target
3. work experience / employment history
4. achievements or accomplishments
5. education and qualifications
6. additional skills
7. hobbies/interests
8. references
4. Multiple choice quiz: Application letter
For solving this quiz exercise, the student must have read the advice on opening phrases, phrases in
the middle part of the application and closing phrases in the fact sheet.
"You want to apply for a summer job as a volleyball trainer. Choose the right expression for the following
passages in the text of the application letter."
1. Referring to the source of information
a. I am available for an interview whenever it suits you.
b. During my training, I have taken a great interest in working (together) with …
c. I am writing to inquire whether you have a vacancy in your firm.
d. I speak fluent English and have a basic knowledge of French.
e. I was interested to read your advertisement on your website
(Right answer: e)
2. Giving information
a. I understand you are looking for someone with … (good physical fitness)
b. I wish to apply for the advertised position
c. As you will see from the enclosed curriculum vitae/résumé …
PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 5
│ DISTANCE LEARNING FOR APPRENTICES │
d. In addition to my (vocational) training, I work for a sports club as a youth coach.
e. I am available for an interview at any time.
(Right answer: c, d)
3. Motivation for the job
a. For information about my command of English, I would refer you to…(Name).
b. This job would give me the opportunity to extend my knowledge of … /to use my skills
c. In the … issue of … (name of paper/magazine), you advertised the position of…
d. I am writing to inquire if there is an opening in your company for a ...
e. I am confident that I will be able to use my skills/experience in … in the advertised position
(Right answer: b, e)
4. Closing sentences
a. I would be delighted to be invited to an interview.
b. I am currently attending … (school) where I am enrolled in a course in business administration.
c. I am writing to inquire whether you have a vacancy in your firm.
d. I look forward to hearing from you.
e. Should you require further information about my qualifications, I would be pleased to quote
references.
(Right answer: a, d, e)
5. Fill-in-the-blank exercise: Preparing a job interview
Three PowerPoint slides are finished by the student with the smartphone’s Quickoffice:
1
2
Jobpilot, Karriere-Guide
Clarke, David. Focus On Modern Business Communication. Berlin/Linz: Cornelsen Verlag und Veritas Verlag,
2006.
PS4 - Example of mobile task sheet │ Page 6