History: Asking your manager for time off
You would like to take a short course that will help you in your job, but it takes place during working hours.
Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:
- describe the course
- explain how it would help you in your job
- suggest how your work could be covered while you are away
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ...,
Approach: Semi-formal letters use the person's name (Dear Ms Patel) and end with 'Yours sincerely' or 'Best regards'. Be polite and persuasive, and show you have thought about the practical problem.
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Show the model answer (191 words)
Dear Ms Patel,
I am writing to ask whether I could take some time off next month to attend a short professional course that I believe would benefit both me and the team.
The course is a five-day programme in project management, run by the City Business School from 10 to 14 November. It covers planning, budgeting and risk management, and participants who pass the final assessment receive a recognised certificate.
As you know, I have recently started coordinating some of our client projects, and I have found that I sometimes struggle to plan timelines and resources accurately. This course would give me practical tools to manage projects more efficiently, which should help us meet deadlines more reliably and reduce the pressure on the rest of the team.
I have already spoken to James, who has kindly agreed to handle my urgent client emails during that week. I would also complete the monthly report before the course begins, and I would be available by phone in the evenings if anything important came up.
Thank you for considering my request. I would be happy to discuss it at your convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Samir Khan
An original model written for SpeakingIELTS to show structure and language. It is one good answer, not the only one, and it is not an official band-scored script.
Turn it into speaking practice
Explain your main argument aloud in two minutes, then answer related discussion questions in the Part 3 speaking practice. Speaking an idea first is a fast way to find what you want to write.
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