IELTS semi-formal letter: Asking a former teacher for a reference

Semi-formal letterRequest · General Training

The task

You are applying for a job or a course and need a reference. Write a letter to a teacher who taught you in the past.

In your letter
• remind the teacher who you are
• explain what you are applying for
• say what information you would like the teacher to include

Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses at the top of your letter.

Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Mr Asante,

Write your letter

Then get an estimated band, with checks on every bullet point, your tone and the letter format.

0 words · 150 more to reach 150

Write your own letter first, then compare. Reading a model before you write tends to make you copy it.

The plan

Purpose: ask for a reference, warmly.
Bullet 1: when and what they taught you, and a detail they will remember.
Bullet 2: the course, where, and the deadline.
Bullet 3: two qualities to mention, with a reminder.
Close: thanks and practical details.

Model letter

179 words

Our checker: 8.0Task 8Coherence 8Vocabulary 7Grammar 8

Dear Mr Asante,

I hope you are keeping well. I am writing to ask whether you would be willing to write a reference for me.

You may remember me from your chemistry classes at St Augustine’s College, where you taught me from 2017 to 2020. I was the student who organised the school science fair in my final year, and you supervised our project on purifying river water.

I am now applying for a master’s degree in public health at the University of Leeds, which starts next September. The application deadline is 30 November, and the university asks for one reference from someone who knows my academic work well.

If possible, I would be grateful if you could comment on my ability to work independently and my commitment to my studies. It would also be very helpful if you could mention the science fair, as the course places a strong emphasis on organising community projects. I have attached my CV, which includes my results from your class.

Thank you very much for considering my request.

Best regards,
Kwame Boateng

The highlighted paragraph states the purpose; each paragraph after it covers one bullet point. Scored by the MyBandPrep checker on 7 October 2026. An estimate, not an examiner’s mark. How scoring works

Why it works

Task Achievement: A clear purpose and full, relevant coverage of each bullet: a memorable reminder, the course and deadline, and exactly what to include and why.
Coherence and Cohesion: Paragraphs follow the bullets in order, and the last body paragraph links the request back to the course.
Lexical Resource: Respectful but warm: I hope you are keeping well, would be willing to, places a strong emphasis on, considering my request.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Polite indirect forms (whether you would be willing…, if you could…), relative clauses and accurate tense choices.

Phrases worth reusing

I hope you are keeping well.
I am writing to ask whether you would be willing to
You may remember me from
Thank you very much for considering my request.