Sample Graduate School Inquiry Letter
tony@purdue.edu
Inquiry about Purdue’s SLS Program
Dr. Silva,
My name is Grant Eckstein, and I plan to apply for the Second Language Studies PhD program at Purdue University for the upcoming Fall enrollment. Prior to applying, I wanted to email you to introduce myself and get more information about the program and specifically about your research interests.
By way of introduction, I have a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and a master’s degree in TESOL from Brigham Young University. I am currently a program supervisor at our English Language Center where I manage the listening, speaking, and writing programs for pre-matriculated English language learners.
While working here, I have taught in numerous positions as a language teacher, and I have remained engaged in meaningful research. For instance, I currently have a pedagogy-based article on writing instruction in review at the Journal of English for Academic Purposes. I have a second article on pronunciation strategies in relation to SLA under review at TESOL Quarterly. I have also begun research on ESL-focused writing conferences, and I will be conducting a full-day PCI at the 2011 TESOL convention on language program development.
Though I have broad interest and practical experience in program and curriculum design, teacher education, and pronunciation development, I am most passionate about ESL writing/composition. For example, I have taught and supervised teachers both in English Composition and ESL writing and have developed curricula, programs, and teacher training in these fields. My ultimate goal is to obtain a PhD that would allow me to teach TESOL classes while lending special expertise to developing and maintaining writing programs in the ESL and composition fields.
I recognize that you are among the most respected authorities on L2 writing, and I am sure there are many individuals hoping to study with the impressive resources and faculty at Purdue. I am curious, therefore, if my research
Inquiry about Purdue’s SLS Program
Dr. Silva,
My name is Grant Eckstein, and I plan to apply for the Second Language Studies PhD program at Purdue University for the upcoming Fall enrollment. Prior to applying, I wanted to email you to introduce myself and get more information about the program and specifically about your research interests.
By way of introduction, I have a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and a master’s degree in TESOL from Brigham Young University. I am currently a program supervisor at our English Language Center where I manage the listening, speaking, and writing programs for pre-matriculated English language learners.
While working here, I have taught in numerous positions as a language teacher, and I have remained engaged in meaningful research. For instance, I currently have a pedagogy-based article on writing instruction in review at the Journal of English for Academic Purposes. I have a second article on pronunciation strategies in relation to SLA under review at TESOL Quarterly. I have also begun research on ESL-focused writing conferences, and I will be conducting a full-day PCI at the 2011 TESOL convention on language program development.
Though I have broad interest and practical experience in program and curriculum design, teacher education, and pronunciation development, I am most passionate about ESL writing/composition. For example, I have taught and supervised teachers both in English Composition and ESL writing and have developed curricula, programs, and teacher training in these fields. My ultimate goal is to obtain a PhD that would allow me to teach TESOL classes while lending special expertise to developing and maintaining writing programs in the ESL and composition fields.
I recognize that you are among the most respected authorities on L2 writing, and I am sure there are many individuals hoping to study with the impressive resources and faculty at Purdue. I am curious, therefore, if my research