• British Council

Understanding IELTS: Writing

4.9 (210 reviews)

Find out what you need to know about the IELTS Writing test and learn techniques and strategies to improve your test performance.

Understanding IELTS: Writing
  • Duration3 weeks
  • Weekly study3 hours
  • LearnFree
  • Extra BenefitsFrom $59Find out more
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This course is part of the Understanding IELTS program, which will enable you to prepare for your IELTS test. Practise with other learners. Perfect your English..

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

    From 14 Sep 2020

    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

    From 21 Sep 2020

    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

    From 28 Sep 2020

    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?

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more

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?

Neil McLaren

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.

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.

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