Information

Every year people can apply to Career Grants for funding to help develop their careers. The most deserving person will receive £5,000. This can be used to pay for courses, equipment, visits[1] or other expenses.

To apply, write a letter to Laura Mensah, Career Grants, 1 New Road, Hanton HN1 7BU.[2]

Writing Task

Write a letter to Laura Mensah to apply for the funding.

In your letter, you should:

• describe what you are doing now and your career ambitions

• explain in detail how you would use the money

• persuade Laura Mensah that you deserve the funding.[3]

You should aim to write about 250 to 300 words.[4]

Dear Laura Mensah,

I wish to apply for a career grant to help me to start my dance/fitness business.[5] 

I recently ran a free street dance session at a local community centre in one of Leeds’s most deprived districts[6] and it proved very popular. Sadly, most dance lessons are at least £5.00 for 45 minutes and this is more than many of the children’s families can afford to pay. The manager would like me to run a weekly class and other centre managers and schools have expressed[7] an interest in my services. However, some have said that I will need a dance teaching certificate before I can work for them on a regular basis.

I am currently studying and have a part time job. However, if I am selected[8] for a grant, I intend to start a small dance/fitness business to support myself while studying. This would also enable[9] me to give something back to the community by teaching children/young people who would not otherwise have the chance to take dance lessons (dance is great for confidence building, team skills and mental and physical wellbeing.) I also hope to teach dancing full-time after completing[10] my academic studies.

I would use some of the money to complete the following courses: a dance teaching course that is running during the Easter break and an Exercise to Music Instructor award to expand[11] my knowledge of teaching safe and effective[12] exercise. The money would also pay for portable speakers, exercise mats, my CRB check/update subscription, travel and other expenses (please refer to the enclosed ‘Expenses List for further details.)[13] 

Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely[14],

Anna Conda.

(300 words)

[1] Use this for ideas and expand on them

[2] If you are given a name, address or other specific details, use them in your writing. Otherwise, you can make them up.

[3] Keep checking to make sure that you’re addressing these points. It might help you to tick them off on the question sheet as you go along.

[4] Don’t worry if you write less than 250 words- you can still pass.

[5] Start your letter/email by explaining why you are writing.

[6] Deprived districts- a poor/disadvantaged area.

[7] Expressed- in this case, ‘expressed is a more formal way of saying ‘shown’ (expressed can also mean ‘said’.)

[8] Selected- a more formal way of saying ‘chosen’.

[9] Enable- make possible/able.

[10] Completing- a more formal way of saying ‘finishing’.

[11] Expand- a formal way of saying make bigger (or increase.)

[12] Effective- works well/properly.

[13] It’s also OK to pretend that you have enclosed other documents such as photographs etc.

[14] Remember, ‘Since I know the name, it’s sincerely’; if you don’t know the name (‘Dear sir/madam’ or ‘To whom this may concern’), it’s ‘Yours faithfully.’