As an overseas employee, write a resignation letter to your employer due to an emergency at home.
| IELTS letter – As an overseas employee, write a resignation letter to your employer due to an emergency at home. Points to be covered: the reason for leaving, date of departure, and things that you loved about your job. |
Band 5 Example
Dear Manager,
I am writing to quit my job because my father is very sick in Vietnam. I must go home immediately. My last day will be July 15.
I liked working here because the job was easy and my boss was kind. The office was close to my house too. I learned how to use the computer system.
Sorry for leaving fast. I hope you find someone new soon. Maybe I can come back later if you need help.
Thank you for everything.
Sincerely,
Minh Nguyen
Problems:
- Informal language (“quit my job”)
- Vague reasons (“very sick”)
- Basic vocabulary (“easy”, “kind”)
- Weak structure (jumps between topics)
Band 7 Example
Dear Ms. Reynolds,
I am writing to formally resign from my position as Sales Assistant at City Electronics, effective July 15, 2024. Unfortunately, my father’s sudden illness requires me to return to Vietnam indefinitely.
During my tenure, I particularly valued the hands-on sales training and the team’s collaborative spirit. These experiences have greatly improved my customer service skills. To assist with the transition, I will complete all pending orders and train my replacement next week.
I deeply appreciate the opportunities provided here and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. Please let me know if I can help further during my remaining time.
Yours sincerely,
Minh Nguyen
Band 5 Resignation Letter (Problem Areas Highlighted)
Dear Manager,
❌ “I am writing because I need to stop working.”
(Too informal, unclear phrasing – should say “resign”)
❌ “There is emergency in my family at home country.”
(Grammar error + vague reason – “an emergency in my home country” is better)
❌ “I must leave soon, maybe next week.”
(No exact date – hurts Task Achievement score)
❌ “I liked this job because people were nice.”
(Too simple – no specific positive details)
❌ “Sorry for trouble. Thank you.”
(Abrupt ending – no transition offer or professional closing)
Band 7 Resignation Letter (Improvements Explained)
Dear Ms. Johnson,
✅ “I am writing to formally resign from my position as Customer Service Representative at ABC Ltd.”
🔹 Why better?
- “Formally resign” is professional
- Includes job title + company name (specificity boosts score)
✅ “Due to a serious medical emergency in my family in Brazil, I must return home by August 20, 2024.”
🔹 Why better?
- “Serious medical emergency” = clear, formal reason
- Specific date (required for IELTS Task Achievement)
✅ “My last working day will be August 15 to allow time for relocation.”
🔹 Why better?
- Shows planning (helps Coherence/Cohesion)
✅ “I have greatly appreciated the leadership training opportunities here and the collaborative team environment.”
🔹 Why better?
- Names two specific positives (training + teamwork)
- “Greatly appreciated” = stronger vocabulary
✅ “To assist with the transition, I will complete all pending client reports and can train a replacement until my last day.”
🔹 Why better?
- Specific handover tasks (expected in professional letters)
✅ “Thank you for your support during my tenure. I hope to maintain our professional connections.”
🔹 Why better?
- Polite closing that leaves positive impression
Sincerely,
Carlos Silva
Key Differences Summary
| Feature | Band 5 | Band 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Phrasing | “stop working” (informal) | “formally resign” (professional) |
| Reason | “emergency in family” (vague) | “serious medical emergency” (specific) |
| Dates | “maybe next week” (unclear) | “August 15, 2024” (exact) |
| Job Positives | “people were nice” (generic) | “leadership training” (specific) |
| Closing | “Sorry for trouble” (abrupt) | Professional gratitude + connection offer |
