English Correspondence - Case Study of Cover Letter/Application Letter - Students' Perspective

Sep 10, 2026

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This study examines English Education Department students at the University of HKBP Nommensen and their perspectives on cover letter writing in the English Correspondence course. It evaluates students’ understanding, challenges, and confidence in mastering this professional skill. Data were collected from 25 students via questionnaires and from 10 students through semi-structured interviews. Findings show recognition of relevance to future careers alongside difficulties in content organization, professionalism, and job-specific tailoring. Recommendations emphasize more interactive, practical teaching methods.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background and importance of cover letters

Course purpose and research focus

Research questions

INNOVATIVE: Journal Of Social Science Research Volume 5 Nomor 3 Tahun 2025 Page 498-513 E-ISSN 2807-4238 and P-ISSN 2807-4246 Website: [https://j-innovative.org/index.php/Innovative](https://j-innovative.org/index.php/Innovative) English Correspondence: Case Study of English Education Department of University of HKBP Nommensen Students' Perspective of Cover Letter/Application Letter Irene Adryani Nababan1✉, Anita Sitanggang2, Syalaisha Syafira Irwansyah3, Rika Budiarti4, Viola Sasti Bizora L. Tobing5, Loria Vikki Sitanggang6 Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar 1✉ Email: [ireneppbiuhnp@gmail.com](ireneppbiuhnp@gmail.com) Abstrak Penelitian ini menyelidiki perspektif mahasiswa Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris di Universitas HKBP Nommensen mengenai penulisan surat lamaran dalam mata kuliah Korespondensi Bahasa Inggris. Menyadari pentingnya surat lamaran dalam komunikasi profesional dan pengembangan karier, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai pemahaman, tantangan, dan kepercayaan diri siswa dalam menguasai keterampilan ini. Dengan menggunakan metodologi deskriptif kualitatif, data dikumpulkandari 25 mahasiswa melalui kuesioner dan dari 10 mahasiswa melalui wawancara semi-terstruktur. Temuan utama mengungkapkan bahwa meskipun mahasiswa mengakui relevansi penulisan surat lamaran dengan karier masa depan mereka, mereka menghadapi tantangan dalam mengatur konten, menjaga profesionalisme, dan menyesuaikan surat dengan persyaratan pekerjaan tertentu. Penelitian ini menyoroti efektivitas materi kuliah tetapi mengidentifikasi perlunya metode pengajaran yang lebih interaktif dan praktis, seperti lokakarya, tinjauan sejawat, dan aplikasi dunia nyata. Temuan ini menawarkan rekomendasi yang dapat ditindaklanjuti untuk meningkatkan proses belajar mengajar, memastikan mahasiswa lebih siap untuk komunikasi profesional dan pasar kerja yang kompetitif. Kata Kunci: Surat Bisnis, Korespondensi Bahasa Inggris, Perspektif Abstract This research investigates the perspectives of English Education Department students at the University of HKBP Nommensen regarding cover letter writing within the English Correspondence course. Recognizing the importance of cover letters in professional communication and career development, the study aims to assess students' understanding, challenges, and confidence in mastering this skill. Using a qualitative descriptive methodology, data were collected from 25 students through questionnaires and from 10 students through semi-structured interviews. Key findings reveal that while students acknowledge the relevance of cover letter writing to their future careers, they face challenges in organizing content, maintaining professionalism, and tailoring letters to specific job requirements. The research highlights the effectiveness of course materials but identifies a need for more interactive and practical teaching methods, such as workshops, peer reviews, and real-world applications. The findings offer actionable recommendations to enhance the teaching and learning process, ensuring students are better prepared for professional communication and the competitive job market. Keywords: Business Letter, English Correspondence, Perspective INTRODUCTION In the professional and academic landscape, English correspondence skills play a crucial role, particularly for students preparing to enter competitive job markets. Among the essential components of professional communication, the cover letter holds a unique position. A well-crafted cover letter is more than a mere formality; it serves as an introduction to potential employers, highlighting a candidate’s qualifications, motivations, and suitability for a particular role. It bridges the gap between a resume and a personal interaction, making it a pivotal document in securing employment. However, the process of creating a compelling and effective cover letter often proves to be a challenge, particularly for students. For English Education Depart

FAQs

What teaching improvements does the study recommend?

It recommends more interactive and practical approaches such as workshops, peer reviews, and real-world applications to strengthen learning outcomes.

Sep 10, 2026

Upload by Patrick