OCTOBER 18TH, 2013 FRAU VERA SCHALHORN HELEN DORON ENGLISH FRIEDRICHSTADT, DSSELDORF Dear Frau Schalhorn, My name

is Jacqueline Carroll. I am writing to express my interest and enthusiasm in obtaining a job at your training facility. I was introduced to your school via a comprehensive list of German ESL centers put together by The International TEFL Academy; I recently received a TEFL certificate from this academy to teach Young Learners through Business Professionals. When I first saw your website, I was immediately struck. The bright colors and playful designs highlight perfectly the teaching philosophy embraced by the Helen Doron community, a teaching philosophy I strongly identify with. As an individual with an artistic background (both visual and performance-based), I firmly believe in the power of play. In fact, Einsteins statement, play is the highest form of research has charged the majority of my own lesson planning and research. I have also found that songs, rhythms (jazz chants), and stories are the most powerful mnemonic devices one can explore. I exercised these techniques myself while learning German in Dsseldorf this summer at the Institut fr Internationale Kommunikation, and I guarantee I will continue to use them as I further my language journey. In any service-based occupation, whether that may be teaching, serving coffee, healing those who are sick, or any other profession, the most important consideration is empathy. Empathy is the glue that forms close relationships. I believe my own language journey has given me the experience to be able to honestly empathize with my future students. I understand the insecurities, misunderstandings, and wildly empowering successes involved with learning a second language. I also understand that empathy can be the determining factor between guiding a student to success and letting him or her fall off the deep end. Since the beginning of the school year, I have been spending 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week in a middle school art room. My students ages range anywhere from 11-14 years old. During this experience, I have learned what it means to be prepared, this being: having a precise learning plan that accommodates all students. Furthermore, it means having the ability to think on ones feet when precise plans dont go as anticipated (a daily occurrence). Every day, my students test my patience, challenge my authority, tug at my heart strings, make me re-evaluate what I thought was important, and surprise me so much that I find myself in fits of laughter. I have never done anything with as much depth and importance, which acts as a daily reminder that I am doing what I was intended to do. I will be moving from Michigan, U.S.A. to Voerde in late December (ready to begin work after the holiday season) with every intention of making Voerde my permanent home. Nothing would bring me more joy than the thought of helping the youth within my new community, just as I am helping them in my current community. I sincerely look forward to hearing from you; thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, JACQUELINE CARROLL