Understanding IELTS: Writing
Find out what you need to know about the IELTS Writing test and learn techniques and strategies to improve your test performance.
- Duration3 weeks
- Weekly study3 hours
Understanding IELTS: Writing
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Prepare for success in your IELTS Writing test
The British Council’s four Understanding IELTS courses give you a complete guide to everything you need to know as you prepare for the IELTS test.
This course focuses on the Academic Writing test. You’ll explore the test format and develop strategies for each type of task.
You’ll look at graphs and charts in Task One, how to approach the task and the language needed for a successful answer. You’ll examine Task Two questions and learn how to plan, write and check academic essays.
You’ll also look at the assessment criteria, what the examiner looks for and how to write successfully for IELTS.
Syllabus
Week 1
Understanding the test: task achievement
Getting started
Introducing the course, meeting the team and setting the scene for IELTS writing.
Understanding charts and data
A look at Task 1 and the types of question you'll be asked.
Writing about numbers
The language you need to report on and compare numerical data.
Writing about trends
The language needed to describe dynamic graphs, charts and tables.
Bringing it all together
Applying the lessons of this week to writing a Task 1 answer.
Round up
Review of Week 1
Week 2
Brainstorming, planning and organising your ideas
What does Task 2 involve?
An introduction to Task 2 of the Writing test.
Answering the question
Understanding the different types of essays you may have to write.
Saying what you think
How to generate, develop and organise your ideas to fully answer the question.
Building a strong essay
How to use your plan to create a strong, well-organised and effective essay.
Putting it all together
Applying the lessons covered so far on planning, organising and writing effective paragraphs.
Round up
A look back at Week 2
Week 3
Starting and finishing strongly
Getting ready for your test
A look at how to improve your vocabulary and grammar skills as you prepare for your IELTS test.
Lexical resource: the vocabulary you need
An introduction to what examiners are looking for in lexical resource.
Starting and finishing
How to write strong introductions and conclusions for any essay.
Grammatical range and accuracy: what to think about
A look at how grammatical range and accuracy is assessed and what it's important to get right.
Putting it into practice
Writing a complete Task 2 answer, from plan to final draft.
Review of the course
A look back at the course and your final preparation for the IELTS Writing test
When would you like to start?
Date to be announced
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore the IELTS Academic Writing test and develop strategies for each type of task
- Investigate the language needed for a successful answer in Task One
- Apply techniques to help you plan, write and check academic essays in Task Two
- Develop confidence, learn how to improve your test performance and feel fully prepared on the day of the test
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone preparing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. IELTS teachers will also find it useful.
This course is part of the program Understanding IELTS, you can sign up here
Who will you learn with?
I live and work in Bratislava and have been teaching for more than twenty-five years. I’m the Social Community Manager in charge of the British Council’s global social media channels for learners.
Suzanne has been working in ELT since 1999. She's been working in teacher training and materials writing for over 10 years. Her online portfolio is: https://suzannemordue.wordpress.com
Who developed the course?
British Council
The British Council is on the ground in six continents and over 100 countries connecting the best of UK culture with a global audience and providing high-quality English language courses.