IELTS Semi-formal Letter: Letter to Manager Requesting Extended Personal Leave

The task

You need to take leave from your work for over one month for personal reasons.

Write a letter to your boss. In your letter:

→explain the reason for the leave and the length of leave you need
→explain how you will keep up-to-date while you're away
→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: Dear ...,

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8187 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to formally request a period of unpaid leave for personal reasons, starting from 1st October to 5th November. Due to urgent family matters that require my full attention overseas, I find it necessary to step away from my responsibilities for five weeks.

I am fully committed to staying informed regarding team developments during my absence. I plan to check my emails twice weekly and will be available for brief video conferences should any critical issues arise that require my specific input. I am confident that this will ensure a seamless transition back into my role upon my return.

To ensure my current projects remain on schedule, I have already discussed a potential coverage plan with Sarah. She has kindly agreed to oversee the quarterly reporting process and client communications in my stead. I have also prepared a comprehensive handover document outlining all active tasks and deadlines, which I am happy to review with you before my departure.

Thank you for considering my request during this challenging time. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this proposal.

Yours sincerely,

James Miller

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

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Examiner's view

Why this scores well

This letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all bullet points with specific, professional solutions that demonstrate a proactive attitude. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide a concrete plan for work coverage, which makes the request seem unprofessional and unprepared.

→Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.
→Polite and friendly at once: a few contractions are fine, slang is not. Close with Yours sincerely or Kind regards.
→State the purpose in the first two sentences; small talk costs words you need for the bullets.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

unpaid leave
Time off from work without receiving any salary
urgent family matters
Important private issues involving relatives needing immediate attention
seamless transition
A smooth change without any problems or interruptions
in my stead
In place of me or as a substitute
handover document
A file detailing tasks for someone else to manage
critical issues
Very important problems that need to be solved

Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?+

Semi-formal. Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.

How many words should an IELTS General Training letter be?+

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

What does the examiner look for?+

Keep practising

More request letters

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