Sample IELTS GT Task 1 letter: A training course that was not as expected

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about a training course that I attended last month, because it was not what I expected from your advertisement.

The course was called “Advanced Digital Marketing” and it took place over three days at your training centre in the city centre, from the 5th to the 7th of May. I paid 450 dollars to join, and I booked it because I wanted to improve my skills for my job.

Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the course for several reasons. First, the trainer mostly talked about basic things that I already knew, even though the course said it was for advanced learners. Second, there were too many people in the room, so it was difficult to ask questions or get help. Finally, we did not receive the practical workshops that were promised on your website.

Because of these problems, I feel that the course was not good value for money and it did not help me as I hoped. Therefore, I would like to ask you to give me a full refund, or at least a partial refund. Another option would be to let me attend a different, more suitable course for free in the future.

I look forward to your reply and hope you can solve this matter quickly.

Yours faithfully, Thomas Wright

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a training course I recently completed through your company, which fell well short of what your promotional material had led me to expect.

The course in question was “Advanced Digital Marketing”, held over three days at your city-centre venue from 5th to 7th May, for which I paid a fee of $450. I enrolled specifically because it was advertised as an in-depth programme aimed at experienced professionals looking to refine their existing skills.

Regrettably, the experience proved disappointing on several counts. Far from being advanced, much of the content covered introductory material that any practitioner in the field would already be familiar with. The session was also significantly oversubscribed, which made it almost impossible to ask questions or receive any individual guidance. Most frustratingly, the hands-on workshops prominently featured on your website never materialised, and the three days consisted almost entirely of lectures.

Given that the course neither matched its description nor delivered the practical value I had paid for, I do not feel it represented reasonable value for money. I would therefore appreciate a full refund of my fee. Should that not be possible, I would accept a complimentary place on a genuinely advanced course that better reflects your advertised standards.

I trust you will treat this matter seriously and look forward to your prompt response.

Yours faithfully, Thomas Wright