Table of content

1, STRUCTURE AND PRESENTATION

1.1, Model

1.2, Sender's address

1.3, Letterhead

1.4, Date

1.5, Inside address

1.6, Salutation

1.7, Body of the letter

1.8, Complimentary close

1.9, Signature

1.10, Enclosure

1.11, Envelope

2, ENQUIRIES

2.1, Opening lines

2.2, Asking for catalogues, price-lists, prospectuses

2.3, Asking for samples, demonstrations

2.4, Asking for terms, methods of payment

2.5, Asking for an estimate or tender

2.6, Closing lines

3, OFFERS

3.1, Opening lines

3.2, Being unable to answer an enquiry

3.3, Sending catalogues, price-lists, prospectuses

3.4, Sending samples, suggesting demonstrations

3.5, Giving an estimate

3.6, Specifying prices, terms, methods of payment

3.6.1, Specifying prices

3.6.2, Specifying transport and insurance costs

3.6.3, Specifying discounts

3.6.4, Specifying methods of payment

3.6.5, Specifying delivery terms

3.7, Stating the conditions of the offer

3.8, Asking for instructions

3.9, Closing lines

4, ORDERS

4.1, Accepting an offer : opening lines

4.2, Confirming prices, terms, methods of payment

4.3, Insisting on quality

4.4, Insisting on delivery terms

4.5, Asking for better terms

4.6, Ordering alternative goods

4.7, Rejecting an offer

4.8, Cancelling an order

4.9, Acknowledging an order

4.10, Refusing an order

5, PACKING, DESPATCHING, TRANSPORTING

5.1, Types of packing containers

5.2, Packing : instructions from supplier to customer

5.3, Packing : instructions from customer to supplier

5.4, Despatching

5.5, Transporting : types of transport costs

5.6, Transporting : enq. for freight rates and loading dates

5.7, Transporting : replies to enquiries for freight rates

6, PAYMENT

6.1, Methods of payment in foreign trade

6.2, Sending the invoice or statement

6.3, Notifying payment of account

6.4, Acknowledging payment

6.5, Pointing out mistakes or discrepancies in invoices/statements

6.6, Correcting mistakes in invoices or statements

6.7, Delaying payment

6.8, Replying to requests for delaying payment

6.9, Requesting payment

6.9.1, First request

6.9.2, Second request

6.9.3, Third and last request

7, CREDIT

7.1, Asking for credit

7.2, Checking references given by the buyer

7.3, Agreeing to credit

7.4, Refusing credit

8, BANKING

8.1, Opening an account

8.2, Payment instructions

8.3, Accounting and special instructions

8.4, Buying and selling on the Stock market

9, INSURANCE

9.1, Enquiry for insurance rates

9.2, Instructing insurance agents to effect insurance

9.3, Claiming

10, COMPLAINTS AND REPLIES TO COMPLAINTS

10.1, Complaining : opening line

10.2, Complaining of late delivery

10.3, Complaining of poor quality goods, wrong goods

10.4, Complaining of bad packing

10.5, Replying to complaints : opening line

10.6, Replying to complaints of delivery delays

10.7, Replying to complaints of poor quality goods, wrong goods

10.8, Replying to complaints of bad packing

10.9, Replying to complaints : closing line

11, SECRETARIAL

11.1, Reserving hotel accommodation

11.2, Reserving conference facilities

11.3, Making travel arrangements

11.4, Making an appointment

11.5, Confirming an appointment

11.6, Cancelling an appointment

11.7, Letter of introduction

11.8, Letter of congratulation

11.9, Letter of condolence

11.10,Letter of thanks for hospitality

11.11,Meetings : phrases used by the company secretary

12, WRITING A LETTER OF APPLICATION AND A CURRICULUM VITAE

12.1, The letter of application

12.2, The curriculum vitae

13, LINGUISTIC GUIDE

13.1, List of common abbreviations

13.1.1, List of common abbreviations from a to l

13.1.2, List of common abbreviations from m to z

13.2, List of irregular verbs in English

13.3, General useful phrases

13.3.1, Apologizing and expressing regret

13.3.2, Approval (asking for -)

13.3.3, Assurance (giving -)

13.3.4, Attention (drawing - and reminding)

13.3.5, Clarification (asking for -)

13.3.6, Dissatisfaction (expressing - and complaining)

13.3.7, Misunderstandings (clearing up -)

13.3.8, Reference

13.3.9, Refusals to requests and excuses

13.3.10,Requests

13.3.11,Stalling

13.3.12,Suggestions and proposals (making -)

13.3.13,Urgency and necessity (expressing -)

13.3.14,Willingness and offers to help

13.3.15,Wishes (expressing-)