The Chinese Online Writing Lab

Correspondence regarding arrangements for a training program and/or guest worker period often includes the following:

Proposing the training course or guest worker period

Proposing the technical training period should be stated with confidence in the organization’s ability to meet your organizational or individual needs. Such examples are:

“Could you provide a short training course at UCL, on the current developments and applications of MS as used in Polymer research?”

“Would you allow me to serve as a guest worker in your laboratory?”

“I would like to serve as a guest worker in your laboratory for six to eight months.”

Describing your organization’s current work and research (as related to the training program)

Providing as much information about your own personal background or your organization’s requirements or needs will allow the reader to determine whether he or she can help you.

“I have a master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering and have received special training in thin film deposition photolithography and chemical etching. I am currently designing a process that would integrates these technologies for the development of a pressure sensor that is based on a metal thin strain gauge.”

“The Pressure/Vacuum Measurement Laboratory at the Center for Measurement Standards is planning to develop the primary pressure standard (PPS) of the mercury manometer so as to promote and strengthen our laboratory’s measurement capabilities.”

Clearly stating how the training course can benefit your organization

A clear statement of what you expect to gain from the training course will avoid further confusion.

“I also agree that the introduction of Molecular Simulation at UCL would provide a more thorough understanding of polymer morphology-structure property relationship and the directions for research activity.”

“Your laboratory, one of the leaders in this field of research, could provide me with a marvelous opportunity to learn about sensor manufacturing.

Providing an itinerary or set of topics that will be covered during the training program

Stating your expectations of the training itinerary may prevent later disappointment.

“I hope that through this short training program we can determine the systems and research topics that need to be focused on. The following topics may be a helpful guide for you when deciding the contents of this short training course. Of course, you should feel free to ammend or expand on any of these topics.”

“We hope to enhance our technical knowledge of PPS, particularly with respect to temperature measurement and control, anti-vibration, and pressure control.”

Additional instruction can be found in the accompanying Power Point presentation.

Further practice can be found in A Correspondence Manual for Chinese Technical Writers by Ted Knoy.