Letters and emails are probably the most practical writing type in the exam. Personally, I write emails almost every day. Letters, not so much. I’m not quite sure if I’ve ever hand-written and posted a letter to be honest. However, emails to clients or job application cover letters are definitely things which I’ve written at […]
Informal vs formal letters and emails Read More »
The Cambridge Advanced (CAE) Writing exam is a deceptively difficult part of the exam to perfect and pass. While at first glance the tasks may seem relatively simple, it’s the marking criteria and expectations which can leave exam candidates with an unpleasant surprise when they receive their results. It’s important to be familiar with the
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) Writing Read More »
Writing a review is an option in many different English language exams, and films are such an obvious choice for reviews, so knowing how to write a film review is pretty important. It’s a great topic for the classroom too. Everyone watches films and there is a lot of opportunity to teach vocabulary, either film-related
How to write a film review Read More »
Writing Part 1 of IELTS: Academic features writing a 150 word description of a graph or a process. To succeed in this writing task, you have to give precise and clear details about the graph that you are provided. This is very specific language, but once you’ve done it a few times, you can rinse
IELTS Academic Writing Part 1 – Describing change and surveys Read More »
The essay task at Cambridge B2 First (FCE) level might be one of the first times learners encounter a truly formal writing task. At the previous level, B1 Preliminary (PET), all the writing tasks are relatively casual and informal. This is where the First Certificate writing forces candidates to prove they really know how to
First (FCE) Essay Questions Read More »
Writing can be a scary thing for B1 learners, but with some training the Preliminary (PET) writing doesn’t have to make you run and hide. The important thing at B1 is to be clear, consistent and organised. You don’t need to write the next Charles Dickens novel, you just have to complete the task with
Preliminary (PET) Writing Sample Tests Read More »
Advanced exam preparation course books almost always include CAE writing examples at the back of the book. These pages are often the jewel of the book, packed with questions, model answers and tips for writing in different styles. Our writing course, Advanced Writing Plus, includes detailed activities and models for all parts of the C1
Advanced (CAE) Writing Examples Read More »
Linking words, also known as linkers, cohesive devices, connectors and transition words, are a vital part of writing. Often when we teach English, we feed vocabulary and phrases to students which, if we’re not careful, can start sounding forced. For me, linking words are the exception to that. I find that a solid lesson with
Linking words – How to improve your writing Read More »
Writing rhetorical questions is a literary device that professional writers love to hate, but if you’re writing an article for an exam, they can be a very useful tool. You may need to write an article in Cambridge Preliminary (PET) or First (FCE) and in Trinity ISE I, II, or III. Writing an article is
Writing an Article – Rhetorical Questions Read More »
Like it or not, emoji are part of our modern lives 😉. Kids and grandparents 👴👵 alike love 💖 them. So let’s use emoji to encourage our student to write 👍✍. With these materials, we explore how to write a story for the Preliminary (PET) Writing Part 2, using emoji as a tool to promote
Preliminary (PET) Writing Part 2 – Emoji Story 😀 Read More »
