Resignation Letter
This lesson focuses on writing a resignation letter, including stating your intent to resign, providing a reason, and maintaining a professional tone.
Part 1
Pre-Reading
Answer the questions
Have you ever changed jobs? Why or why not?
How did you feel when you left your job?
What do you have to do when you leave a job?
Who do you have to talk to when you leave a job?
What are some reasons that people change jobs?
Match the words on the left with the correct meanings on the right.
regret ___
to give, to submit
inform ___
becoming actual, happening
tender ___
to teach someone new skills, or to learn and practice new skills
resignation ___
the achievement of something planned or desired
effective ___
clerical work or record-keeping
pursue ___
to change from one person or thing to another
train ___
to tell, to let somebody know
replacement ___
the person who takes over the duties of another
paperwork ___
to follow, to take
transition ___
quitting or leaving a job, usually with a formal note
success ___
to be sorry
Part 2
Reading
Practice reading the resignation letter out loud with your teacher.
Underline any words or phrases you don’t understand.
Reading
Mr. Lee Timson
225 Fox Drive
Bonville, NY 12345
Mr. William Michaels
River Education Books
1530 Fordshackle Street
Bonville, NY 12345
October 1, 2015
Dear Mr. Michaels,
It is with regret that I write to inform you that I am tendering my resignation. My resignation is effective in two weeks.
It is difficult to leave River Education Books, but I have been offered a management position with another company. I think it is a good opportunity for me to pursue. I’ve learned a lot from you and from the job. Thank you for the opportunities you’ve given me.
I will do my best to train my replacement in the next two weeks. I can also help with paperwork to make this transition as easy as possible. Thank you for your understanding. I wish River Education Books much success in the future.
Sincerely,
Lee Timson
Part 3
Comprehension
Read the emails carefully. Then answer the following questions based on the information provided in the emails.
How did Lee resign?
When will Lee no longer be an employee for River Education Books?
Why did Lee decide to leave his job?
What did Lee say about his replacement?
Part 4
Vocabulary Review
Complete the sentences using vocabulary from Vocabulary Preview section.
You may need to change the word forms.
I have to ____________ my boss about the customer service problem.
She ____________ not being able to finish her studies in January instead of May.
After Megan left, her ____________ didn’t do as well because she wasn’t familiar with the job.
Daniel had to fill out a lot of __________ on his first day of work.
The ____________ between high school and college is easy for some people but harder for others.
Ryan did not like his job, so he ____________ a letter of resignation.
Kim did not think she could work and go to school at the same time, so she decided to submit her ____________ before the next semester started.
The new office policies will be ____________ on September 15.
Maria’s boss asked her to ____________ the new person to use the office computers.
When I finish college, I want to ____________ a career in business.
Part 5
Speaking
Discuss the following questions with a partner.
1. Did Lee have a valid reason for resigning?
2. What other reasons might Lee have resigned for?
3. Is writing an email the best way to resign from a
position?
Part 6
Writing
Write a letter of resignation for a job that you would want to leave. Remember to keep the letter formal and polite.
Part 7
Listening
Fill in the blanks as you listen to the recordings.
Mr. Lee Timson
225 Fox Drive
Bonville, NY 12345
Mr. William Michaels
River Education Books
1530 Fordshackle Street
Bonville, NY 12345
October 1, 2015
Dear Mr. Michaels,
It is with ________________ that I write to inform you that I am ________________ my ___________________. My resignation is __________________ in two weeks.
It is difficult to leave River Education Books, but I have been offered a management position with another company. I think it is a good opportunity for me to ________________. I’ve learned a lot from you and from the job. Thank you for the opportunities you’ve given me.
I will do my best to ________________ my __________________ in the next two weeks. I can also help with ________________ to make this ________________ as easy as possible. Thank you for your understanding. I wish River Education Books much __________________ in the future.
Sincerely,
Lee Timson
Part 8
Correspondence Building
The correspondence below is not in the right order. Cut up
the strips, and then work alone or with a partner to rearrange them into the correct order. Then read the correspondence out loud.
a) Mr. William Michaels River Education Books 1530 Fordshackle Street Bonnville, NY 12345 |
| b) My resignation is effective in two weeks. |
| c) Dear Mr. Michaels,Dear Mr. Michaels, |
| d) Thank you for your understanding. |
| e) Mr. Lee Timson 225 Fox Drive Bonnville, NY 12345 |
| f) Thank you for the opportunities you’ve given me. |
| g) I’ve learned a lot from you and from the job. |
| h) I can also help with paperwork to make this transition as easy as possible. |
i) It is difficult to leave River Education Books, but I have been offered a management position with another company. |
| j) Lee Timson |
| k) Sincerely, |
| l) I will do my best to train my replacement in the next two weeks. |
| m) I think it is a good opportunity for me to pursue. |
| n) It is with regret that I write to inform you that I am tendering my resignation. |
| o) I wish River Education Books much success in the future. |
| p) October 1, 2015 |