GIVING OPINIONS

Students use the words “I think” way too much when giving their opinions. In this IELTS & TOEFL lesson, I will teach you better words to use that can help you express your opinion. This video is a must-see for anyone writing the TOEFL or IELTS. It will help you to score higher on both tests in the writing and speaking sections. Even if you’re not taking an exam, you should watch this class to learn the vocabulary and expressions.

 

Visit THIS SITE and listeng to the recommendations about how to give opinions when writing.

 

Introduction to academic writing

Watch the following video. Once you've finished, test your understanding by doing the exercise below.

ACADEMIC WRITING » Quiz Question Maker

Spelling

If you think you need to improve your spelling, go to the following "dictation site" and practise.The story is dictated to you, and you have to type it correctly.

You can choose the speed of the reading and how often it’s repeated.

When you type, only the correct letters actually show-up on the screen, and you can ask for hints.

http://www.listen-and-write.com/audio

Sentence construction

Put a text into sentences. When you finish, tell us how well you did it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/instructions

WRITING

If you want to improve your writing you can visit the following pages. I suggest visiting them in this order:

1. Planning your writing includes: CLICK HERE

• Taking account of purpose and audience.
• The benefits of planning.
• Planning strategies linked to writing purposes.
• Using planning techniques to help structure writing.

2. Format and style includes: CLICK HERE

• Writing in different genres - descriptive, persuasive, informative and instructive texts.
• How language is used in different types of text.
• Presenting information in the form of charts, images, numbered points, tables and pre-set formats.

3. Building up paragraphs includes: CLICK HERE

• The purpose of paragraphs.
• Using headings.
• Using topic sentences.
• Linking paragraphs in a text.
• Strategies for developing writing in paragraphs.